Social participation and purposeful activity support brain health

Rajna Ogrin, a senior researcher at Bolton Clarke, explains how social connection and purposeful daily habits help maintain cognitive health as people age.

Ogrin notes that brain health is linked to a person's overall wellbeing, including their ability to learn, move, and manage emotions. She identifies several factors that can negatively impact cognition, such as social isolation, poor sleep, and a lack of physical activity.

To counter these risks, she suggests a holistic approach that combines physical, psychological, and social habits. The researcher advises people to incorporate regular movement into their daily routines, such as gardening, dancing, or swimming. She emphasizes that making these activities social, like walking with a friend or joining a group class, makes it easier to stay consistent. She also recommends that individuals find ways to create a sense of belonging by joining community groups like choirs or book clubs.

Ogrin suggests that doing meaningful tasks, such as volunteering or caring for a pet, provides a sense of purpose that supports mental health. She encourages people to keep learning by practicing new skills or hobbies that they find interesting. Additionally, she recommends practicing mindfulness, maintaining a consistent sleep routine, and seeking regular medical checkups to monitor cardiovascular health, which also supports the brain.