Yahoo Lifestyle These Two Popular Everyday Activities May Be Hurting Your Brain Health, According to Neurologists
By now, you probably know that exercise is great for your brain health (and if not, here's more info on that front). As it turns out, workouts aren't the only activities that impact your noggin: What you specifically do while sitting can affect your neurological health as well—and two activities, in particular, can do a lot more harm than good when it comes to keeping your mind active and healthy.
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Two Activities That May Be Bad for Your Brain Health
A new study from the University of South Australia suggests that watching TV and playing video games may be detrimental to your memory and cognitive health.
The study examined the brain activity of 397 adults, ages 60 and older, over 24 hours to determine how various activities impact cognitive ability.
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"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," study author Dr. Maddison Mellow, Ph.D., told Neuroscience News & Research. "We already know that physical activity is a strong protector against dementia risk, and this should certainly be [prioritized] if you are trying to improve your brain health. But until now, we hadn’t directly explored whether we can benefit our brain health by swapping one sedentary [behavior] for another."
Dr. Mellow noted that watching TV and gaming were shown to negatively impact cognition, while other activities had positive effects.
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Why Are Gaming and Watching TV Bad for Brain Health?
The study findings weren't shocking to Dr. Patricia Boyle, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Rush University and trustee of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation.
"Passive sedentary activities, like watching TV and playing video games excessively, have been associated with unfavorable cognitive outcomes because engaging in those activities does not challenge the mind, can limit social interaction, negatively impact sleep and may lead to physical inactivity," Dr. Boyle told Parade. However, there are some caveats.
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Are Some Video Games Better for Brain Health Than Others?
Some video games have been shown to boost brain health, and Dr. Boyle says there is some nuance to this.
"While playing video games in moderation can have some cognitive benefits, certain types, especially those that are violent, addictive or overstimulating, can have negative impacts on brain health, especially if they are played excessively," Dr. Boyle explained. "Playing games that promote critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity, like chess, can be beneficial for brain health, but it’s important to monitor your playtime and ensure that gaming makes up only a small part of your week."
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Are Some TV Shows or Movies Better for Brain Health Than Others?
Documentaries or educational programming will likely do less damage to your mind as opposed to, say, Real Housewives or Love Island, according to Dr. Boyle.
"Moderate and mindful TV watching, especially watching educational and intellectually stimulating programming, may have some benefits to brain health, like helping you relax and keeping your mind engaged," she told us. "Watching reality TV or sensationalized content that may lead to excessive consumption and has little intellectual stimulation likely has no real benefit for cognition or brain health."
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How Can You Enjoy Gaming or Watching TV Without Harming Your Brain Health?
You probably expected this: It's all about moderation, Dr. Boyle advises that you have to balance your gaming and viewing habits with other activities like exercise, getting seven to eight hours of sleep, volunteering and maintaining social connections.
"You can still enjoy watching your favorite shows and playing video games, but that shouldn't be the only thing you make time for," Dr. Boyle said, adding, "Prioritizing mental health and pursuing new learning challenges are also important factors to maintaining your cognitive health. While the specific activities may look different for everyone, there are many ways to foster social connections and keep purpose in your life, like volunteering at a food bank or attending community events. Making time for self-care—whether it's cooking, meditating, or exploring nature—is important too. These practices have been found to lower the risk of other health problems and improve cognition, mood and psychological functioning."
The study echoed this. "We found that sedentary [behaviors] which promote mental stimulation or social engagement—such as reading or talking with friends—are beneficial for cognitive function, whereas others like watching TV or gaming have a negative effect," Dr. Mellow wrote. "And, while the 'move more, sit less' message certainly holds for cardiometabolic and brain health, our research shows that a more nuanced approach is needed when it comes to thinking about the link between sedentary behaviors and cognitive function."
You can also combine exercise and gaming or TV: Watch your favorite shows at the gym or while you're doing cozy cardio or strength training at home, or dust off your old Wii Fit or Dance Dance Revolution and get moving.
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Sources
"Mentally Stimulating Sedentary Behaviors Are Better for Brain Health." Neuroscience News & Research.
