| Dementia is the progressive decline of attention, | | | | those who were outgoing, yet still calm and relaxed |
| memory, problem solving, language and other cognitive | | | | had a 50 percent less chance. But those who were |
| functions. In the UK alone there are 700,000 people | | | | easily distressed, whether isolated, outgoing, active or |
| with dementia. Researchers aren't sure what causes | | | | inactive, were more likely to develop dementia. Again, |
| the condition, and although they think it is a combination | | | | researchers still don't know if high stress causing |
| of genetic factors and personality traits, they've been | | | | dementia, or is simply an early warning sign. |
| unable to determine whether certain personality traits | | | | Past studies have shown that stress can affect parts |
| cause the condition, or are an early sign of the | | | | of the brain that could lead to dementia, but |
| dementia. New research might have the answer. | | | | researchers on this study are taking it even further |
| A study in the UK, lead by Dr Hui-Xin Wang of the | | | | and saying that being calm and relaxed, while also |
| Karolinska Institute in Sweden, shows evidence that | | | | being outgoing and social, can actually decrease the |
| being socially active and calm can reduce the risk of | | | | chances of dementia. They believe this is due to |
| dementia. The study involved 500 healthy people, age | | | | chronic distress and anxiety releasing chemicals in the |
| 78 and over, who filled out questionnaires about the | | | | brain that can damage the brain tissues and cause |
| nature of their social lives and personalities. After the | | | | cognitive function issues like those in dementia, but right |
| questionnaires, the subjects were watched for six | | | | now it is only a theory. |
| years; during that time 144 of the 500 people | | | | If the studies are correct, people who are isolated, |
| developed dementia. The study was published in the | | | | inactive, and high stress should take precautions to |
| journal Neurology. | | | | reduce their chances of developing dementia by |
| The study found that those who were calm and | | | | becoming social active and finding ways to relax and |
| relaxed by nature had a 50 percent less chance of | | | | rejuvenate. Yoga, talk therapy, joining a hobby group, |
| developing the disease. Those who were socially | | | | meditation, and a wide variety of other activities could |
| inactive, but still calm and relaxed, also had a 50 | | | | help reduce stress, increase the quality of life, and |
| percent less chance of developing dementia. In addition, | | | | decrease the chances of developing dementia. |