Environmental factors that are known to affect memory

A variety of factors come into play when considering brain and cognitive health. Environmental factors may seem insignificant, but in reality, they play a crucial role in determining the status of one’s brain health including memory. Environmental factors can be changed, however. They can be manipulated to allow you to become healthier and thus reduce the risk that it poses on memory and cognition. Following is a list of environmental factors that are known to affect memory. Socializing: Studies suggest that an active social life plays an integral role in stabilizing memory loss in the later years of life. Maintaining strong social ties with friends, family, community groups and colleagues has been shown to improve brain health. On the other end of the spectrum, social isolation increases the risk of developing a cognitive decline in old age. Recent research carried out in the Harvard School of Public Health studied the memory status of adults over two years. The study took into account the participant’s social integration based on marital status, volunteer activities, and relations with immediate surroundings including friends, family, neighbors, etc. The results showed that the older age demographic with increased social activity revealed the slowest rate of memory decline. In contrast, participants with the least social interaction exhibited twice the rate of memory deterioration than those with high social integration scores. The study deduced that social interaction ensures mental engagement which enables the mind to stay active. Therefore, people with healthy social circles have a better quality of life. They also have a reduced incidence of developing memory related issues as compared to the individuals who spend their lives in isolation. Environmental Toxins: Exposure to environmental toxins in today’s age is becoming increasingly common and inevitable. Repeated exposure to these contaminants can increase your susceptibility to developing […]

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