Humans are social creatures. Many of us enjoy spending time with friends and family doing social activities, like going out to dinner, attending sporting events, and participating in book clubs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being social offers a myriad of health benefits, including emotional regulation, reduced stress and anxiety, better sleep, and a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.
And now, thanks to a new study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association, we also know that social interactions can help delay dementia by about five years.
“This study is a follow-up on previous papers from our group showing that social activity is related to less cognitive decline in older adults,” said Bryan James, PhD, associate professor of internal medicine at Rush, in a press release.
