Many of us remember the emotional impact while watching movies like Planet of the Apes had on us, where the protagonist’s father struggles with dementia. Or the Oscar winning English film Still Alice, that showed the effects of early-onset Alzheimer’s through the experiences of Alice Howland. These stories portrayed the challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease and the emotional toll it took on both, the affected individual and their loved ones.
According to a study published in Current Alzheimer Research, chronic stress, depression and anxiety are linked to an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study suggests that emotional wellness plays an important role in our cognitive health or ability to think, remember and learn well. Maintaining a positive emotional state can mitigate some of the risks associated with cognitive decline.
In fact, emotional health plays a significant role in our overall wellbeing and can influence our susceptibility to cognitive decline. By addressing our emotional needs and managing stress well, we can improve our quality of life and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. World Alzheimer’s Day, that is observed on September 21st aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. This day is dedicated to highlighting the challenges faced by individuals living with this condition. It brings together communities and individuals to promote understanding, share resources and encourage discussions about dementia care.
On this day, join us as we explore how taking care of our emotional wellness can have a positive impact on our cognitive health and help reduce our susceptibility to Alzheimer’s.
A lot of us have experienced certain times in our lives when anxiety and depression have taken over. During such periods, it feels like we’re not ourselves; our emotional state tends to be chaotic and our thoughts feel scattered.
Depression is known to make people feel overwhelmed, impacting how they handle daily life. Anxiety and depression are not just mental struggles, they can also affect brain and physical health in the long run. These negative emotions can disrupt brain function, which may lead to cognitive decline and increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Learning to maintain a positive emotional state and managing stress effectively can support brain health and keep it working well.
We all lead busy lives and dedicate several hours in a day to work. Sometimes, personal issues also add extra stress to our day and this constant pressure affects our overall wellbeing. Additionally, stress can lead to higher levels of cortisol, which might harm the brain and put us at a risk of developing dementia.
To counter the effects of stress, it’s important to use stress management techniques like regular exercise, meditation and relaxation practices. Managing stress is in fact, crucial for maintaining good brain health and lowering the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Chronic stress, anxiety and depression can contribute to cognitive decline and increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Effective stress management techniques, such as exercise and relaxation practices, can help prevent susceptibility to Alzheimer’s.
Maintaining strong social connections builds emotional health and this creates a buffer against cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
Seeking professional support is important because it provides effective strategies for managing mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety.
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