Melissa Hogenboom Highlights 3 Ways to Slow Brain Aging

1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 11

Three habits—spatial navigation, social activity and lifelong learning—can help slow brain ageing by building “cognitive reserve,” Hogenboom writes.
Research cited in the article links stronger cognitive reserve to better resilience against decline, especially in the hippocampus, a brain region affected early in Alzheimer’s disease.
Studies highlighted include 30-50% lower dementia risk among more socially active adults and a 5-year later onset among those who stayed most socially engaged.
The piece argues that small everyday choices—taking new routes, debating ideas, gardening or joining a book group—may protect brain health without major lifestyle overhauls.

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