Human beings need to be with other human beings. We really do not have a choice regarding this fact as it has been in our DNA since the beginning of time. Socialization was one of the critical factors of the enriched environment for animals that helped to foster healthy brain development. Research teaches us that humans who isolate or segregate have a higher risk of dementia than those who remain integrated in society. Dementia is a clinical term that refers to loss of general intelligence, memory deficit, loss of other thinking abilities, personality change, and functional decline. There are over 70 causes of dementia and AD is the leading cause of dementia in the United States. Socialization and brain health might be explained by the opportunity for communication, critical thought, creativity, emotional expression including intimacy, chemical connection, touch, and recreation that arises when two or more humans interact. Personal meaning and identity might also be a result of interpersonal activity or the creation of an entity or mission “larger than oneself.”
As we get older and our social network expands we may develop new roles and a new purpose. This can be healthy particularly since the novel typically is complex and both are critical to human brain health. We need to stay involved to grow and to develop.
Do not isolate or segregate as you get older. People who isolate have a higher risk for dementia.
Human beings need to be with other human beings. It has been in our DNA since the beginning of time. Humans who are isolated have a higher risk of dementia than those who remain integrated in society. When humans interact, it provides an opportunity for communication, critical thought, creativity, emotional expression, and recreation.
Part of staying involved in society and maintaining a complex and novel environment for our brains to thrive is sustaining a network of friends. As we get older friends may take the place of family members who have died. Our ability to communicate with and interact with a network of friends is critical. Friends provide opportunities and enable a sharing of experiences. Role development often occurs when friends engage in new pursuits and friendship can provide the necessary motivation towards activity and involvement.
Join groups and social organizations in your community. Get started now!
Stay involved in your community at every age, do not retire, and have a personally meaningful reason for getting up each day!
Since we live in a society that still has mandatory retirement for some occupations the development of hobbies is important. Retirement is not a healthy choice unless there are sufficient hobbies and talents to maintain a role, and that pursuit of our passions will likely provide the greatest return in personal development. Development of hobbies and talents can be tremendously helpful particularly when society reinforces removal from the workforce.
A hobby represents a brain that has been challenged. Multiple hobbies reflect a robust brain with neural networks that have been nurtured. Hobby development creates an enriched environment and provides an opportunity for the brain to experience the novel and complex. Having a reason for getting up each day should never be underestimated and a role and purpose in life are critical components to longevity. It is our responsibility to nurture different roles and to develop ourselves as persons with many purposes.
Maintain and build your friendship and family network.
Socialization is important to brain health. Thus identifying opportunities for socialization in your community and combining that with your own innate talents can foster an enriched environment for your brain health. Research suggests a potentially important health role for maintaining socialization across the lifespan. The activities a person engages in throughout their life may have an impact upon their brain health and perhaps affect their vulnerability to neurodegenerative disease.
Social engagement may challenge people to communicate effectively and to participate in complex social interactions. Social engagement fosters a dynamic, novel environment. It also requires a commitment to community and family that may promote a sense of belonging and purpose. There is also an immediate social network fostered by social engagement that can assist in many ways including emotional support.
Social engagement may help to prevent cognitive decline in older persons.
Research has explored the relationship between the amount and type of activity, and the risk for dementia. Findings indicate that older persons with five or six social ties are significantly less likely to demonstrate cognitive decline compared to those who had no social ties.
Developing strong family ties and friendships is not a given nor is it easy. However, as part of the lifestyle for a healthy brain the importance of nurturing our relationships cannot be underestimated. Our ability to continually develop relations and sustain them across the lifespan represents a real proactive, health promoting behavior.