A new study suggests that how active you are during the day, not just how much you exercise, may play an important role in maintaining brain health as you age. Researchers found that older adults with more consistent daily patterns of activity and rest tended to have larger brain volumes in areas linked to memory and emotion.
In contrast, people with more fragmented routines, frequently switching between activity and inactivity, showed greater brain shrinkage in regions commonly affected by Alzheimer’s disease, such as the hippocampus and amygdala.
The findings suggest that maintaining a stable daily rhythm, with sustained periods of activity during the day and proper rest at night, could help protect against neurodegeneration. Disrupted circadian patterns may contribute to structural brain changes over time and potentially increase dementia risk.
To support a less fragmented rest activity rhythm, experts recommend keeping consistent sleep and wake times, getting regular exposure to natural daylight, staying physically and socially active during the day, and avoiding long periods of inactivity. Limiting daytime naps and maintaining a structured daily routine may also help reinforce healthier activity patterns and support long term cognitive health.
Read more about the findings: https://bit.ly/4cVbC32