A recent study showed that active mental activity protects the brain from dementia. The more intensively the mind works, the lower the likelihood of memory and thinking problems.
“The results of our study completely refute the hypothesis that excessive mental strain can lead to burnout,” reports the Daily Mail.
The study involved 7,000 people from 350 different professions. Researchers assessed the level of cognitive stimulation among participants while performing complex and unconventional tasks. The impact of monotonous and repetitive tasks on cognitive abilities was also analyzed. After reaching the age of 70, participants underwent memory and thinking tests.
It was found that work that promotes mental development and actively engages cognitive processes, while avoiding monotony, benefits the brain.
“We analyzed the demands of various professions and found that intensive mental work at different stages of life is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive impairment in old age,” comments study author Trin Edwin.
“These results confirm the importance of activities requiring more complex thinking as a means of preventing dementia in old age,” adds the Daily Mail.
