This is Insider’s Health TV. I’m your host, Josh. Could sports actually be good for us? Believe it or not, a recent study shows that watching sports can be great for mental health. Specifically in preventing neurological degenerative diseases.
A dementia expert from the UK has used the country’s recent World Cup success as a platform to share the news that turning on any sports game can help to keep your mind active.And the coolest thing is that, it doesn’t even have to be a current game. Re-runs or classics are actually better, since they stimulate your memories, which in turn, gets your brain active.
The clinical director for dementia at the NHS, Alistair Burns, said recently, “As well as being great physical exercise, there is a positive link between watching classic football matches and keeping the mind active. For people in old age and dealing with dementia, re-watching matches can rekindle past memories, connect people with their past and keep the brain active.”
This is great news, given the absolute lack of treatments and solutions for diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Now if you’re interested in the research, it basically comes down to the two major types of memory in our brains: Emotional memory and factual memory. Emotional memory is said to be the most powerful, which is where sports come in. Reliving the ups and downs of seeing your favorite team battle it out stimulates emotional memory and can help to strengthen the brain.
Do you think we could see a future treatment for dementia that involves memory stimulation? Let us know what you think in the comments. This has been Insider’s Health; it’s your health, we’re just helping you think outside the box. Have a great day.
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