Just in case the generous gifts, delicious food and family get-togethers are not enough, here’s another reason to enjoy a very happy Christmas.
Scientists have found being chirpy and generally satisfied with life could slash the risk of dementia in later years by up to 70 per cent.
Volunteers who reported being very contented with their work, relationships and social lives were significantly less likely to develop the incurable mind-wasting disease.
And older participants happy with their lot also had a 60 per cent lower risk of developing mild cognitive impairment – lapses in memory and concentration which are thought to be the precursor to full-blown dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Around 900,000 people in the UK suffer with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The number is expected to rise to 1.5m by 2040 – due to an ageing population.
Doctors recommend regular physical exercise, a healthy diet and limited alcohol intake to protect against the illness.
An active social life, regular hearing tests and stimulating mental tasks – such as puzzles and crosswords – are also thought to help.
Scientists have found being chirpy and generally satisfied with life could slash the risk of dementia in later years by up to 70 per cent (File image)
Feeling fed up or depressed is known to trigger higher levels in the brain of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to brain shrinkage, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s (File image)
But the latest study, by a team of experts at Florida State University, suggests also being content with life can have a powerful protective effect.
They analysed data on more than 23,000 men and women in the US over an 18-year period.
All the volunteers completed regular surveys on their life satisfaction, including their relationships, sex lives and mental health.
The results, in the journal Geroscience, revealed those most satisfied with life had a 72 per cent lower risk of developing dementia than others unhappy with their lot.
In some cases, the risk of Alzheimer’s – the most common form of dementia – was slashed by up to 90 per cent.
Feeling fed up or depressed is known to trigger higher levels in the brain of the stress hormone cortisol, which has been linked to brain shrinkage, cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.
In a report on the findings researchers said: ‘Being satisfied with one’s life is associated with a lower risk of dementia.
‘Improving life satisfaction could promote better cognitive health and protect against the disease.’
