Written by Franchesca Buendia and Edited by Rasheed Majzoub
Socializing or mentally provocative activities keep the brain stimulated and staves off the side effects of aging. An adjusted study looking at the cognitive effects of social activity indicates that consistent social interactions strengthen neural connections [1]. This is especially beneficial in elderly patients since neuronal connections in the brain begin to weaken as people age– this phenomenon is called brain atrophy [2]. Thus, the elderly are more vulnerable to dementia: the umbrella term for conditions regarding the decline in cognition, mental ability, and everyday functioning.
Constant mental stimulation is a preventative measure because interactive tasks activate and exercise different parts of the brain, allowing neural networks to maintain a greater degree of tolerance against brain atrophy [1]. This parallels the concept of consistently exercising muscles to maintain strength, wherein regularly participating in thought-provoking activities through social interactions maintains the strength and ability of brain cells– effectively preventing brain atrophy that comes with aging. To further back this up, those with minimal social interactions are shown to be more susceptible to motor skill degradation as well [3].
Benefits of socializing aren’t limited to close connections; frequency and consistency in interaction are substantial to maintaining a healthy brain or social circle [3]. Having a chat with acquaintances or even some small talk with a cashier has the power to benefit your overall health. Breaking it down, interpersonal interactions are very complex since different parts of the brain are activated to effectively carry out a conversation. Without even noticing, numerous social cues are perceived, decoded, and reasonably reciprocated in an automatic manner. This is because different brain regions are activated to carry out these social functions– one region specializes in recognizing others’ motives, while another controls subtle facial expressions [4]. The benefits in short-term interaction become apparent in as little as 10 minutes, as that amount of time is enough to boost cognitive performance in a study comparing social interactions with “intellectual activities” like solving math problems [4]. Constantly exercising the complex mental functions allows your brain to weather the side effects of aging, as the common saying “use it or lose it” applies to neural integrity.
Closer relationships unlock a new level of benefits, as the established intimacy opens an avenue for emotional openness and eased vulnerability to discuss insecurities. One study revealed that the amount of emotional support a person receives is a noteworthy factor in predicting cognitive performance since the two have a positive relationship. This is because positive reinforcement from other people helps you process things better and get through mentally/emotionally draining times. The resilience gained from stressful events allows for more tolerance against mentally degrading factors from aging [5].
Though at first thought socializing doesn’t seem like it immediately reflects on your overall physical health, it is imperative to nurture those social ties to have a balanced standard of living. A study looking at college students has found that social enrichment and feelings of loneliness are indicative of their overall quality of life [6].
References:
[1] Wang, H., Karp, A., Winblad, B., Fratiglioni, L. (2002). Late-Life Engagement in Social and Leisure Activities Is Associated with a Decreased Risk of Dementia: A Longitudinal Study from the Kungsholmen Project. American Journal of Epidemiology, 155:1081–1087.
[2] Sheikh, Z. (2017). Cerebral Atrophy. Radiopaedia
[3] Buchman, A.S., Boyle, P.A., Wilson R.S., Fleischman D.A., Leurgans S., Bennett D.A. (2009). Association Between Late-Life Social Activity and Motor Decline in Older Adults. Arch Intern Med, 169:1139–1146.
[4] Ybarra, O., Burnstein, E., Winkielman, P., Keller, M., Manis, M., Chan, E., & Rodriguez, J. (2008). Mental Exercising Through Simple Socializing: Social Interaction Promotes General Cognitive Functioning. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34:248–259.
[5] Kelly, M.E., Duff, H., Kelly, S., Power, J.E., Brennan, S., Lawlor, B.A., Loughrey, D.G. 2017. The impact of social activities, social networks, social support and social relationships on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults: A systematic review. Systematic Reviews, 6:259.
[6] Kuczynski, A.M., Kanter, J.W., Robinaugh, D.J. 2019. Differential associations between interpersonal variables and quality-of-life in a sample of college students. Health Psychology, 20:243-255.