Screen Time vs. brain health: How Your Downtime Impacts Cognitive Function
The holiday season is upon us, a time for relaxation and unwinding. But researchers at the University of South Australia reveal a surprising truth: how you spend your downtime significantly impacts your long-term brain health. It’s not just about moving more; it’s about how your sedentary.
A study involving 397 adults aged 60 and older examined 24-hour activity patterns. The findings highlight a crucial distinction: some sedentary activities are beneficial for cognitive function, while others are detrimental.
The Sedentary Spectrum: Beneficial vs. Detrimental activities
The research uncovered a clear difference between types of sedentary behavior. Engaging in mentally stimulating and socially interactive activities like reading,listening to music,praying,crafting,playing a musical instrument,or chatting with others showed positive effects on memory and thinking skills. Conversely, excessive TV watching and video gaming were linked to negative impacts.
“In this research, we found that the context of an activity alters how it relates to cognitive function, with different activities providing varying levels of cognitive stimulation and social engagement,” explains Dr. Maddison Mellow, UniSA researcher.“We already no that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be prioritized. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary behavior for another.”
This discovery holds meaningful implications, especially considering that at least 45% of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle modifications. In Australia alone, approximately 411,100 people are living with dementia, with nearly two-thirds being women. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates over 55 million people are affected, with nearly 10 million new cases annually.
Balancing Holiday Relaxation with Brain Health
So, what’s the advice for those planning holiday movie marathons? Dr. Mellow advises,“To achieve the best brain health and physical health benefits,you should prioritize movement that’s enjoyable and gets the heart rate up,as this has benefits for all aspects of health. But even small five-minute time swaps can have benefits. So, if you’re dead set on having a Christmas movie marathon, try to break up that time with some physical activity or a more cognitively engaged seated activity, like reading, at some point. That way you can slowly build up healthier habits.”
The message is clear: while “move more, sit less” remains crucial, a more nuanced approach to sedentary behavior is needed. Choosing engaging,mentally stimulating activities during downtime can contribute significantly to maintaining sharp cognitive function and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
Sitting Still: How Your Downtime Activities Affect Your Brain
With the holidays upon us, many of us plan to relax and indulge in sedentary activities like watching movies and TV shows. But recent research reveals that how we spend our downtime significantly affects long-term brain health.World Today News Senior Editor, Emily Carter, spoke with Dr. Vivian Hayes, a neuroscientist specializing in cognitive function and lifestyle factors, to understand the link between sedentary behavior and brain health, and how to make the most of our relaxed time.
The Good and the Bad: Why Not All Sedentary Time is Created Equal
Emily Carter: Dr. Hayes, your research has shown that some sedentary activities are actually good for our brains, while others can be detrimental. Could you explain this?
Dr. Vivian Hayes: Absolutely, Emily. It’s not just about the amount of time we spend sitting, but what we’re doing while seated that matters. Engaging activities like reading, listening to music, crafting, playing an instrument, or socializing provide cognitive stimulation and social interaction, both of which are vital for keeping our brains sharp.
Conversely, passive activities like excessive TV watching unfairly labeled “screen time” and video gaming have been linked to negative effects on cognitive function.
The Dementia Connection: can Lifestyle Changes Make a Difference?
Emily Carter: This is concerning given the rising rates of dementia. Can these findings be translated into actionable steps to prevent cognitive decline?
Dr. Vivian Hayes: Absolutely. It’s estimated that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle modifications. This emphasizes the impact our choices have on long-term brain health. We already know that physical activity is crucial for protecting against dementia, but this new research tells us we can even further benefit brain health by swapping detrimental activities like excessive passive screen time for more engaging ones.
finding the Balance: Enjoying Downtime While Nurturing Your Brain
Emily Carter: That’s encouraging. So, how can people incorporate these insights into thier holiday plans? What advice do you have for those who want to relax but also prioritize brain health?
Dr. Vivian Hayes: While staying physically active is always crucial, remember that even small changes can make a difference. If you’re planning a movie marathon, consider breaking up the time with a brisk walk, a swift workout, or even engaging in a mentally stimulating activity like reading or a puzzle. These small swaps can help you build healthier habits and protect your brain over the long term. Remember,the holidays are a time for enjoyment,and with a few mindful tweaks,we can relax and recharge without compromising our cognitive well-being.
