Doing different activities every day strengthens
A study conducted at the University of Toronto in Canada showed that changes incorporated into daily life can have positive effects on mood, memory, and overall well-being.
The study drew attention to environmental and behavioral factors that can slow down cognitive decline, especially in the elderly. In the study, 18 healthy individuals with an average age of 71 were encouraged to participate in a different activity every day for 8 weeks during the pandemic in the summer of 2020. The researchers evaluated the isolation conditions of the pandemic and examined the effects of individuals who stepped out of monotonous life on cognitive processes.
DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES PROVIDE POSITIVE FEELINGSParticipants used a neuroscience-based smartphone app called ‘HippoCamera’ to record and recall their memories. The app imitated the working principle of the ‘hippocampus’, the brain’s memory centre, allowing users to record selected moments from their daily lives. Participants also regularly reported their emotional state, perception of time and boredom levels.
The findings of the study showed that different experiences not only improve memory performance. The findings also noted psychological benefits such as more positive emotions, reduced boredom and faster time perception. “In addition to age, insufficiently stimulating environments and social isolation are important risk factors for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease,” said lead author Prof. Dr. Morgan Barense.
The results indicate that small changes that individuals make in their lifestyles can be effective in maintaining cognitive health and preventing neurological diseases in older ages.
*The visuals of the news were served by DHA.
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