In collaboration with La Torrada Fresca
Maintaining a clear memory is key as we age. A new study suggests that a busy life, full of varied activities, could be key to the health of your brain.
Memory is key to most things in life. It helps us learn in school, to function in our work, to maintain our relationships and more. It has an influence on almost everything we enjoy. Memory is also one of the first things that deteriorates as we age, increasing the chances of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Ara, a new study reveals that the most efficient way to protect our memory is to train ourselves with a variety of cognitive challenges.
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The study, published in Aged USA and conducted at Simon Fraser University, suggests that variety in our hobbies and activities is key, and that most of us would benefit from keeping things a little unpredictable. These hobbies and habits have been shown to improve people’s memory, making them more efficient as the years go by, reducing the risk of developing dementia.
More than 3,000 people between the ages of 65 and 89 were surveyed, and the researchers asked them how often they engaged in a variety of activities ranging from cooking, writing, learning, and walking. They discovered that the more different and varied their hobbies were, the better their memory was.
The researchers also discovered something surprising: a different schedule was much more productive for the longevity of people’s memory compared to people who kept the same schedule day after day. The older the topic and the more varied your lifestyle, the better the results.
One of the most interesting findings of the study is the fact that our habits and schedules could have a more significant impact than our genes and our propensity for these debilitating diseases that affect memory. Working our brains and keeping our lives varied can fight these genetic weaknesses.
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Dementia is a very common ailment, affecting more and more elderly people over time. Although there are genetic predispositions, the study demonstrates the importance of people’s activities and patterns, and how they can be useful in preserving their memory and therefore their quality of life.
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