Embracing a few positive lifestyle changes could potentially rejuvenate your brain by as much as eight years, according to recent findings.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered a connection between an optimistic outlook, adequate deep sleep, effective stress management, and strong social networks, all of which contribute to a brain that appears younger in scans.
The study monitored 128 individuals from middle age to older adulthood, spanning four continents, over a two-year span. A significant portion of the participants, nearly 70%, were women, many of whom were experiencing chronic pain associated with or at risk for knee osteoarthritis.
By employing sophisticated MRI scans alongside machine learning, the study’s scientists assessed the ‘brain age’ of each participant and compared it to their chronological age.
Participants who reported the most favorable combination of psychological and lifestyle traits had brains that seemed up to eight years younger than their actual age.
Conversely, certain adversities, such as chronic pain, lower income, reduced educational attainment, and social disadvantage, were associated with brains that appeared older than their years.
However, the researchers found that while the impact of hardship on brain ageing weakened over time, the benefits of positive lifestyle factors were stronger and more long–lasting.
Other behaviours linked to healthier brain ageing included avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy body weight.
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‘The message is consistent across our studies,’ said Kimberly Sibille, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Florida, who led the research.
‘Health–promoting behaviours are not only associated with lower pain and better physical functioning. They appear to actually bolster health in an additive fashion at a meaningful level.’
The findings were published in the journal Brain Communications.
The study adds to growing evidence that mental wellbeing and lifestyle choices play an important role in brain health, even in people dealing with chronic pain or long–term health conditions.
The findings come as separate research suggests that certain personality traits may influence how long people live.
In a large analysis led by researchers at the University of Limerick, scientists examined data from more than half a million people, covering nearly six million person–years. During the study period, 43,851 participants died.
The team looked at five major personality traits – neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness – and how they related to the risk of death.
People with higher levels of neuroticism, characterised by anxiety and emotional instability, had a three per cent higher risk of dying earlier.
By contrast, higher conscientiousness – associated with being organised, disciplined and dependable – was linked to a ten per cent lower risk of death.
Extraversion, reflecting sociability and engagement with others, was linked to a three per cent lower risk of death, with the effect particularly strong in the United States and Australia.
No clear link was found between mortality and either openness or agreeableness.
‘Our work shows that how we think, feel and behave is not only linked to life satisfaction and social relationships, but also to how long we live,’ said Dr Máire McGeehan, an assistant professor at the University of Limerick who led the study.
The research, conducted in collaboration with Florida State University, West Virginia University and Northwestern University were recently published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
‘Personality is a critical driver of health and longevity, with effects similar in size to commonly recognised public health factors such as socio–economic status.’
Dr Páraic S Ó Súilleabháin, a senior author on the study, said the findings would help shape future research into how psychological traits influence health across the lifespan.
