Stay Positive to Boost Brain Health in Old Age, Say Experts

New research by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) suggests feeling good and being emotionally well is linked with better brain health among people over 50, reports the Sunday Post . By contrast, the study found that poor mental well-being, feeling pessimistic, and having a sense of hopelessness could affect how older men and women think and reason. Among the best ways to boost emotional health in one's senior years are visiting with family and friends, getting out and about in the community, exercising, and eating healthy. Volunteering, which can ward off social isolation, and good sleep habits can also be beneficial. The GCBH report, launched in the United Kingdom by partner Age UK, asserts that greater mental well-being is linked with a lower risk of dementia. "Even though some people's thinking skills can decline as we get older, it isn't an inevitable part of aging, and we're learning more and more about what impacts on brain aging, and what we can do to maintain good brain health later in life," remarks Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK. The GCBH is an independent group of scientists, academics, and health professionals.