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  Widespread pastime might reduce your risk of developing dementia by half.
  

It’s widely recognized that spending excessive time seated can increase the likelihood of various health issues ranging from
diabetes
to dementia.

However, researchers have discovered that certain stationary activities might prove helpful in safeguarding the brain against age-related deterioration.

Scientists from the University of
South Australia
have created a ‘hierarchy’ of leisure activities done while seated, suggesting that certain ones yield more beneficial impacts on the brain compared to others.

At the pinnacle of the ‘helpful activity list’ are tasks known for their mental or social benefits—such as reading, listening to music, praying, crafting, playing an instrument, or having conversations with people.

The researchers indicated that these behaviors enhanced memory and cognitive functions, thereby aiding in the prevention of dementia as one ages.

However, the activities most detrimental to the brain are watching television and playing video games.

Numerous studies have indicated that extended periods of TV viewing may be associated with decreased gray matter in the brain — an area vital for cognition, including processes like thought, logic, judgment, and more.

Imaging studies indicate that individuals with lower amounts of gray matter in their brains tend to have weaker cognitive abilities.

Specialists think this could be because of insufficient stimulation, leading to the loss of connections between brain cells.

In the recent study, scientists evaluated the daily activity cycles of 397 individuals who are above 60 years old.

They proceeded to assess the participants’ cognitive skills through two written examinations commonly employed by specialists to identify indications of dementia, or diminishing mental capacity.

In The Journals of Gerontology Series A, the researchers documented that individuals engaging in more mentally stimulating sedentary pursuits scored significantly higher on cognitive assessments.

“We already understand that engaging in physical activity significantly reduces the risk of dementia,” stated co-author Dr. Maddison Mellow.

This should definitely be at the top of your list if you aim to enhance your brain health.

‘However, up till now, we had not directly investigated if replacing one inactive behavior with another could improve our brain health.’

We discovered that sedentary activities promoting mental stimulation or social interaction—like reading or chatting with friends—are advantageous for cognitive health, whereas those such as television viewing or playing video games tend to have detrimental effects.

‘Therefore, the nature of the activity is significant.’

Although the idea of ‘moving more, sitting less’ is indeed important for cardiovascular and brain wellness, our study indicates that a more detailed strategy is necessary when addressing cognitive performance.

Doctor Mellow suggested that elderly individuals should mix in some stimulating activities with their quieter pastimes, even if only for about five minutes at a stretch.

‘Tiny five-minute adjustments can make a difference,’ she explained. ‘Therefore, if you’re determined to watch movies non-stop, consider inserting periods of physical movement or engaging in mentally stimulating sedentary activities such as reading throughout your session.’

‘In this manner, you can gradually develop better habits.’

Surveys indicate that approximately fifty percent of British people express willingness to binge-watch television series for as long as four consecutive hours.

The latest research supports earlier conclusions regarding the hazards of excessive Netflix viewing on mental well-being.

In 2019, British scientists released a study showing that viewing television

For more than three and a half hours daily, there’s an association with decreased performance in word acquisition and memory retention tests.

The investigators initially determined the daily average amount of television viewed by 3,590 individuals aged above 50 years.

They subsequently grouped the study participants into five categories according to their level of TV viewing.

The researchers additionally conducted tests to assess verbal memory and cognitive abilities two times, with six years between each assessment.

They discovered that viewing television for over 3.5 hours daily correlates with decreased verbal memory performance.

Approximately 944,000 individuals in the UK suffer from dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most prevalent form.

In 2023, dementia topped the list as the leading cause of death in the UK, with 75,393 fatalities recorded last year. This figure marks an increase from 74,261 deaths in 2022 and 69,178 deaths in 2021, as reported by Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Studies suggest that approximately fifty percent of all instances result from lifestyle elements like tobacco use, inadequate nutrition, excess weight, insufficient physical activity, and rare cognitive engagement.

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