We all know that solving puzzles is good for your brain, but did you realize that having friendships is also great for brain health? Based on an article called “Why Friendship is Great for your Brain: A Neuroscientist Explains” by Sarah McKay, I found exciting information on the subject.  She goes on to say that “It’s a no-brainer that friendship is an essential ingredient in living a fulfilled life.  But it turns out that neuroscience has some pretty compelling evidence for the power of friendship in maintaining brain health and well-being as we get older.  Neuroscience research shows that being socially connected protects the brain against the risk of developing dementia.  1) Women with large social networks (not counting Facebook) have a lower risk of cognitive decline as they age.  2) Loneliness is associated with more than double the risk of developing dementia.  3) Participating in many different leisure activities builds brain resilience.  Having a healthy social life naturally involves thinking, feeling, sensing, reasoning and intuition.  These mentally stimulating activities build up our reserve of healthy brain cells, and promote the formation of new connections, or synapses, between neurons.”

So keep connecting with your friends, maybe even call up an old friend you haven’t seen in awhile.  Find variety in your leisure activities and look for opportunities to socialize with others with those same interests.  And don’t forget about challenging your brain with picapix puzzles!  Here is a new challenging one for your next brain activity, “10. Goal-Keep“.  Why not share it with a friend!

Sincerely,

Diane Baher