Good Advice: Combat Memory Loss by Staying Socially Active
Dinner with friends or a weekend golf game may be more than just fun and games. Being socially active can actually help keep your brain and memory sharp. As you connect with people, your brain makes new connections as well. And those connections are what keep the brain sharp.
Think of each memory as a constellation of brain cells. When a connection between neurons is lost, so is the memory. As people age, they tend to lose some of those pathways. So, social interaction is even more important for older adults. Finding ways to connect to others can be challenging, but it’s a challenge worth taking on. Isolation can lead to depression—which speeds up the aging process and can even lead to an earlier death.
We know that exercising the brain helps keep it sharp. Experts suggest doing crossword puzzles, reading, doing jigsaw puzzles or challenging your brain in other ways. These activities fend off the memory loss and foggy thinking that can come with aging.
Studies have found that social interaction has the same effect. Spending time with others seems to exercise the brain just like puzzles and reading do—boosting mental alertness. Your brain gets a workout when you take a dance class, attend a book club or walk with a neighbor. One study found that people involved in leisure activities (playing a musical instrument or dancing) were less likely to develop dementia. There’s even evidence that people who stay connected to others live longer.
The brain is very flexible because there are so many connections between brain cells. As we age, brain cells die or connections between brain cells disappear. When a connection between neurons dissolves, the cells become free agents, and the brain can use them for other activities. Any time we do something that challenges the brain, new neural connections are forged.
For some people, battling isolation can be an effort. This is especially true for older people who have lost spouses or friends. But it’s well worth finding out what your community has to offer. Here are a few ideas:
- Take a class at a local college or community college
- Volunteer for a non-profit organization or charity
- Join a club, like a book club or walking group
- Get involved in activities at your place of worship
- Exercise at a fitness center (and get to know others who do the same)
- Check local community centers or senior centers for activities
Bottom Line: Social interaction fights against dementia. There’s a strong link between being socially active and mental alertness. To keep you brain sharp, seek out opportunities to spend time around others.