Surf the Web to Reduce Risk of Dementia
Great headline — but is this the whole story?
My morning routine always involves two electrical appliances. The first is my bean-to-cup coffee machine, followed by my laptop after a trip to the bathroom. I check news feeds and sports pages to find out what’s happening in the world. My third morning activity can become problematic — not because I lack things to do, but because I find it hard to stop using the laptop.
I love the internet! Admitting that makes me feel better already. In the 25 years since it entered my life, I’ve mastered the art of journeying down “rabbit holes” online; news stories lead me to research history, which leads to DIY advice, then to humor, and so on. I can easily lose myself for hours.
This isn’t a major issue now, as I still work. But retirement looms, when I’ll no longer have client responsibilities. What happens when I lack commitments tearing me from the laptop? I could lose entire mornings!
Imagine my surprise seeing this headline on Microsoft’s homepage:
Researchers have identified that regular use of the internet stimulates older adults’ cognitive functioning and may reduce the risk of dementia. Wow!
Admittedly, the research paper does state that participants in their study who used the internet between six minutes and two hours a day were at the lowest risk of developing dementia.
Therefore, they are not inviting you to spend the morning trawling through hundreds of websites, to my heart’s desire. But it is an interesting observation.
“Scientists have previously shown that online engagement can make individuals more resilient against brain decay which happens naturally as you age. Other studies have shown that internet users tend to have better overall cognitive performance, verbal reasoning, and memory than non-users.” Dementia risk can be halved in older adults who regularly do one common activity — Mirror Online
The study, Internet usage and the prospective risk of dementia: A population-based cohort study, was carried out by the American Geriatrics Society.
My initial thought to reading this article was to call out to my wife to come read it herself and realize that all that time I sat staring at the screen was good for me. Then my analytical side of my brain stepped in and asked “Is this news”? Spending a few minutes a day reading stimulates the brain. Wow! Who knew?
I think scientists are wonderful people. Without their dedication to research, the human race would never evolve. It’s wonderful that medical research uncovers something new each day that offers us the opportunity to improve the quality of our lives. But sometimes, I read or hear a news headline about the latest research discovery, shake my head, and ask, did you boffins waste a load of money and time working out what is already common knowledge?
- Reducing sugar intake can lead to weight loss.
- Regular exercise is good for the body.
- Overuse of burning fossil fuels is bad for the environment.
- And now this — reading online articles for 20 minutes a day stimulates the brain.
As I approach the later stages of life, I am fully aware of the need to exercise my physical and cognitive functions. I am interested to see what changes new technology will bring to society in the years I am still here. But I am aware the internet is merely a vessel of information. It’s what we do with that information that counts.
A good example is my recently acquired plumbing skills. My wife and I noticed a brown patch appear on our lounge ceiling a few months ago. I investigated and discovered a leaky valve in an upstairs radiator. I could see what the problem was but I didn’t know how to fix it. What I did know, however, through conversations with my pals, YouTube is now a valuable source of information on how to do things. A few minutes into a Youtube search, I found a very pleasant plumber demonstrating how to stop a leaky radiator valve. That was the start of my education for the day.
For me, the real cognitive stimulation came, not from the 10-minute video, but from the drive to the hardware store, recognizing the tools and equipment I needed, then coming home and fixing the valve.
My conclusion is this. The internet is full of valuable and interesting information. It can be enjoyable to surf the web and stream videos. Just don’t make that the only activity you do. If you have managed to read this far, thank you. This is me attempting a new skill — how to be an online writer. I have already learned the need to prioritise you the reader over me the writer. Otherwise, what’s the point of me doing this?
