THE ESSENTIAL
- Our brain is an incredible machine, but like any other tool, it begins to wither away if left inactive for too long. This is why it is important to nurture your connections with these three recommendations.
- “Brain development is closely linked to lifestyle. Physical exercise, relationships and passion help to develop and maintain the basic structures of our brain as we age,” summarizes Professor Sigmundsson in conclusion of his report.
“The keys to our nervous system are gray and white matter”says Hermundur Sigmundsson, a professor in the department of psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in a university report. If we manage to keep our gray and white matter “in shape”, cognition, thinking skills and memory should also continue to function well as we age. It is the conclusion of a study published in Brain Sciences, a kind of summary of our current understandings in science in order to prevent the cognitive decline that comes with age. The research team reviewed more than 100 previous research papers, all cited in the study’s references.
“Three factors stand out if you want to keep your brain at its best“, according to Professor Sigmundsson.
1. Physical activity is necessary for the proper functioning of the brain
Spending all day on the sofa is not good for the health of the body, we know that. But neither does the brain: physical activity is essential for brain health. “An active lifestyle helps develop the central nervous system and fight brain aging”, explain the authors of the study. According to them, it is therefore necessary to do at least a few movements each day. Even if you do a sedentary job that requires a lot of sitting, move around every hour or so for at least a few minutes.
2. Social connections make brain ones thrive
Some of us are more sociable than others, but even if you’d rather have a relaxing evening than attend a party, the study authors recommend making an effort to stay in touch with people who matter to you. Indeed, brain connections thrive on social interactions.
“Relationships with and interaction with other people contribute to a number of complex biological factors that help keep the brain from slowing down”says Professor Sigmundsson.
3. Keeping learning and staying passionate is good for your brain health
Keeping the brain active promotes strong cognition throughout life. Indulging in a new hobby or learning a new skill helps strengthen it. However, according to the researchers, you should not force yourself: find something that you are really passionate regarding. It’s never too late in life to learn something new! “Passion, or having a strong interest in something, can be the deciding and driving factor that leads us to learn new things. Over time, this impacts the development and maintenance of our neural networks”explains Professor Sigmundsson.