How You Sit Matters: Active Couch Time May Lower Dementia Risk
A two-decade study of over 20,000 Swedes suggests that not all sitting is created equal when it comes to brain health. Researchers found that people who spent time on mentally engaging activities while seated, such as office work, knitting, or playing cards, had a lower risk of developing dementia than those who simply watched TV or listened to music. Swapping just one hour of passive sitting for mentally active sitting reduced dementia risk by 7%, with benefits appearing strongest for adults over 50. The researchers believe these mentally stimulating activities build cognitive reserve, which acts like a buffer helping the brain stay sharp despite aging. With Americans averaging nearly 10 hours of sitting daily, choosing intellectually engaging seated activities could offer a practical way to protect long-term brain health without hitting the gym.
Couch potatoes, rejoice: lounging around might not be so bad — at least for your brain.
