Screen time fights DEMENTIA?! (But there’s a catch)

My nephew loves his “screens.”

The kid has a smartphone, a tablet, and a fancy laptop (lucky!)…

While he’s pretty responsible with his devices, it seems like he’s always ONLINE.

But as much as we begrudge SCREEN TIME… today I’ve got some interesting science on how it can actually help your brain…

And if done responsibly, can even combat DEMENTIA!

According to a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, regular internet use, but NOT overuse, in older adults is linked to a LOWER dementia risk.

The study followed over 18,000 older individuals and found that regular internet use was associated with about a 50% reduction in dementia risk compared with their counterparts who did NOT use the internet regularly.

They also found that longer duration of regular internet use was associated with a reduced risk of dementia… but EXCESSIVE daily internet usage adversely affects dementia risk.

And that’s the tipping point: Using screens and getting online is all about BALANCE…

Especially when it comes to your brain.

This particular study did not pinpoint an exact amount of internet “time” for optimal brain health… though most other studies suggest that outside of work, adults need to stick to LESS than two hours per day.

And, in my opinion, any screen or internet time should be used for worthwhile – or even memory-stimulating.

For instance, reading your local (or national) news online – or playing online card games – are both great options.

But endless scrolling through random sites on the internet isn’t going to do you – or your brain – any favors.

To browsing for your brain,

Sarah Reagan

Sources:

Yasgur, Batya Swift. “Internet Use a Modifiable Dementia Risk Factor in Older Adults?” https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/992111?src=rss

Reid Health. “How Much Screen Time is Too Much for Adults?” https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/screen-time-for-adults