New Research Says This Daily Practice Could Stave Off Memory Loss. Here's What Doctors Say.
There was a small link between participants who reported higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on memory tests.
Here's what you need to know about mental health and its ties to your brain health.
There is nothing worse than being told to "stay positive" after a rough day at the office, bad doctor's visit, or messy breakup. Yet, while it can be incredibly difficult to stay positive during difficult times in your life (and, of course, anxiety and depression are very, very real), new research suggests that striving to stay positive could influence your memory down the road.
Of course, memory is complex, and it's impossible to stay upbeat and slap a smile on all the time, but these findings definitely provide a good reminder to focus on the good in your life. Because when you're able to proactively change your mindset, you might be better off down the road!
Here's exactly what the study found, plus, what doctors want you to keep in mind when taking this information into consideration.
Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the "Mind in View" podcast
The study, which was published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, analyzed data from nearly 11,000 women and men who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a long-term research study on adults over the age of 50.
During the 16 year study, the participants answered questions on their wellbeing and memory every two years. Wellbeing questions included things like, 'I can do the things that I want to do,' and 'I feel that life is full of opportunities,' while the memory tests challenged the participants to recall 10 words immediately and then with a delay.
The researchers found a small link between people who said they had higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on the memory tests. They also found that the link was still there, even after the researchers adjusted for participants who had depression.
'Higher levels of wellbeing are associated with better memory function over 16 years,' the researchers wrote in the conclusion. 'Better wellbeing may be a protective factor in retaining memory function from middle to later adulthood.'
The researchers defined 'psychological wellbeing' as the balance between psychological, social, and physical challenges a person faces, along with their available resources to meet those challenges.
The researchers refer to psychological wellbeing as a 'multifaceted construct' of emotional health (like happiness and confidence) and effective functioning (control over your life and your sense of purpose).
The study didn't dive into this exact question (i.e. figuring out why they saw these results with participants), but experts certainly have a few theories.
'Feeling happy and smiling has been shown to increase brain neurotransmitter levels like serotonin,' says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. (In case you're not familiar with it, serotonin is considered a feel-good hormone, and it plays a role in regulating your mood and boosting feelings of happiness.)
'Feeling well is healthy and good for your brain health,' Dr. Segil says. 'Many patients with memory loss have lost the ability to feel happiness and wellbeing, which is bad for their brain health.'
Good psychological wellbeing may also serve as a 'protective factor' for your brain, says Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the "Mind in View" podcast. 'Depression and anxiety can add stress to your life, and that can impact your memory and how well your brain works,' she says. So, it makes sense that being free from anxiety and depression have the opposite effect.
We've already established that your mental health could have an impact on your brain health, but prior research already shows it has a major effect on your physical health. 'We have a lot of data to support the concept that stress, anxiety, and depression can take years off of your life,' Gallagher says. 'It impacts our whole health and our physical health.'
On the flip side, thinking positively about life may be more helpful for life in the long-run, she says. And yes, your attitude can have an impact on your health outcomes, Dr. Segil adds. 'Fear about having a chronic neurological condition like memory loss often causes worsening memory loss,' he says.
Again, some amount of stress and anxiety in life is normal. But trying your best to look at the glass as half-full, it may end up doing your health—and your memory—a solid in the long-term.
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- Yahoo
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The cancellation window is 48 hours before your appointment. If you cancel within this window, you will be charged $125. There is no matching done by algorithms or jumping to a third-party platform. What I like about Headspace that sets it apart from platforms like BetterHelp or Talkspace is that you're not matched with a provider based on an algorithm. You can choose who you want to work with based on location, availability and areas of specialty, such as depression, trauma, relationships and anxiety. Each therapist profile includes: A photo of them and their name (I used this info to look up more on them through Google) Specialties and therapeutic approaches A short bio with some background information You can't message therapists before booking, which may be a downside for some. Typically, therapists offer a free consultation call so you can get to know them before you decide if they're the right choice for you. However, the profiles (and my Google search) gave me enough information to feel confident in my choice. I found a therapist who aligned with my values and my desire to incorporate spirituality (without religion) into my care. And she made sure to remember that detail every week. If your first match isn't quite right, you can request a new therapist through the Member Support team. They'll help you find someone who's a better fit, at no extra cost. Be sure to initiate this process or cancel pre-booked sessions with your therapist at least 48 hours in advance to avoid late cancellation fees. Before your first appointment, you'll have an intake session and take a short mental health screening. The questions are designed to evaluate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Then, we discussed my goals and how I'd like to measure progress. It's important to note that every therapist will approach goals and success metrics differently. Be sure to discuss how you'd like to approach your treatment with them. Therapy sessions occur over video within the Headspace mobile app or on your computer. To access them via your computer, you'll need to download Zoom and use the Zoom link provided in your confirmation email. What I love most about my sessions is how deep and intentional my therapist is. Alexmi Polanco is warm and attentive and gives me homework each week. Homework includes writing letters to my inner child, practicing affirmations and outlining what my dream future self looks like. We've gone over childhood trauma, dismantled core beliefs that no longer serve me, and I even learned kind and loving ways to show up for myself each day. Integration with Headspace's mental wellness tools is a game changer What makes Headspace shine is how well the therapy feature integrates into Headspace's ecosystem. Between sessions, I use meditation and mindfulness tools from within the app to help reinforce what we're working on. Some other features I've explored are: CBT-based courses Guided breathwork Journaling Sleepcasts and music Ebb, an AI chatbot designed to help you regulate emotions in real time Headspace Therapy Care pros and cons There are many things I love about Headspace, but every app comes with some drawbacks. Pros: You can select the therapist you'd like to see (based on location and availability) Affordable with insurance Seamless integration with Headspace resources High-quality video and audio In-app booking Sessions felt deeply personalized Switching therapists is easy, at no extra cost Cons No client dashboard to track sessions, goals or leave notes No pre- or post-session messaging with your therapist (I was able to message her via email) High late-cancellation fee of $125 Headspace Therapy Care is better for some people This online therapy service is an excellent fit if you: Are dealing with anxiety, depression or stress Prefer a gentle, mindfulness-based therapy approach Already use and enjoy Headspace content Want an online therapy service that integrates with other self-care tools It's not ideal for people who: Need or prefer in-person therapy Want 24/7 access or daily therapist messaging Are in crisis or require higher-level clinical support Therapy by Headspace feels more personalized and less transactional than other apps I've tested, like BetterHelp and Talkspace. The latter two platforms may offer broader networks, daily messaging and more tracking tools, but they feel very corporate in tone, and I prefer Headspace's quality of therapists and care. Headspace feels a lot warmer and deeply reflective. It's a natural extension if you already use the app for meditations or sleep. Too long; didn't read? Headspace's therapy feature exceeded my expectations. It's thoughtfully designed and well integrated into the broader app. It also offers something other online therapy services don't: a vast library of mental wellness tools and resources beyond talk therapy. If you're curious about therapy and already practice mindfulness, this platform is worth exploring.
