A neurologist has shared his top four activities that he will “never stop” doing to maintain brain health into old age. These practices are not only enjoyable but could also potentially reduce the risk of dementia as you get older.
Dr Baibing Chen, known to his online followers as Dr Bing, delved into this topic in a video posted on his Instagram account. Addressing his audience of over 80,000, he highlighted that certain actions have been scientifically shown to delay the onset of dementia by several years.
“As a neurologist, here are four things I’ll never stop doing for better brain health,” he declared. The key activities he recommends are learning a new language, playing an instrument, hiking, and dancing.
Learning a new language
Dr Bing’s first tip is to learn a new language and expand your vocabulary, which challenges the brain and is something it thrives on. He explained: “Learning a language engages multiple areas of the brain. It also builds cognitive reserve and increases connectivity between different brain regions. “.
“All of which help the brain adapt to ageing and fight conditions like dementia. In fact, research has shown that bilingual individuals can delay dementia by four to five years.”
The study Dr Bing referred to was featured in the Neuropsychologia journal in 2007, where researchers noted: “The bilinguals showed symptoms of dementia four years later than monolinguals, all other measures being equivalent.”
Playing a musical instrument
Dr Bing highlighted the potentially overlooked health virtues of music, speaking to its wide-ranging impact on the brain. “Playing music stimulates nearly every part of the brain and it requires focus, coordination, rhythm and creativity,” he explained.
“It also promotes neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to adapt and grow. Studies have shown that musicians often have stronger neural connections and are better at multitasking and problem-solving.”
He cited a 2010 study from The Neuroscientist journal as evidence, which posited music’s promise as a treatment for various neurological conditions and effects of ageing.
Hiking
Dr Bing also endorsed hiking as a boon for mental well-being, with dual advantages for our cerebral health. “I love hiking and it actually offers a two-fold benefit for brain health,” Dr Bing said.
“The physical exercise promotes increased blood flow to the brain, fostering chemical releases that support brain cell growth and preservation. Additionally, time spent in nature has been linked to stress reduction, lowered blood pressure, and a heightened sense of happiness.”
He added a careful note based on his medical experiences. He told viewers: “However, having treated many patients with mosquito-borne and tick-borne illnesses, I’m always careful and I always use insect repellent and check for ticks after my hikes.”
A study published in the PNAS journal in 2015 underscored the significance of meandering through nature for our cognitive functions. It concluded: “This study reveals a pathway by which nature experience may improve mental well-being and suggests that accessible natural areas within urban contexts may be a critical resource for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world.”
Dancing
Dancing is hailed not just as a fun pastime but also as a potent weapon against dementia, with research suggesting it can slash the risk by a staggering 76 percent. Dr Bing, an advocate and practitioner of dance himself, endorsed the activity, saying, “Dancing combines movement, coordination, and rhythm, making it one of the most effective exercises for brain health.
“Studies have shown that regular dancing can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 76 percent, making it one of the most efficient activities that you can do for dementia prevention.” He referenced findings detailed in The New England Journal of Medicine from 2003. Study authors noted: “Among leisure activities, reading, playing board games, playing musical instruments, and dancing were associated with a reduced risk of dementia.”