Research Shows You Can Worry Yourself Into
Dementia and Even Alzheimer's
by www.SixWise.com
It's well known that an optimistic
attitude is good for you -- mentally and physically. Optimists
are healthier, happier and likely to live longer than people
who are not so cheerful.
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Over time, negative emotions like worry and anxiety
may increase your risk of cognitive impairment by 40
percent.
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Conversely, a new study by researchers from the Rush Alzheimer's
Disease Center at Chicago's Rush University has recently proven
what commonsense would dictate: the opposite also holds true.
People who are prone to "psychological distress"
-- negative emotions like worry and anxiety -- are more likely
to develop memory problems than those who adopt a more carefree
existence, according to an analysis of two studies on aging
that together included over 1,200 people.
In fact, study participants who experienced negative emotions
most often were 40 percent more likely to develop mild cognitive
impairment than those who experienced the least negativity.
Cognitive impairment involves mild memory or cognitive problems,
and can be a stepping-stone to dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
A past study by the same researchers also indicated that people
who are easily distressed are more likely to develop Alzheimer's
disease than those who are not.
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"People differ in how they tend to experience and deal
with negative emotions and psychological distress, and the
way people respond tends to stay the same throughout their
adult lives," said Robert S. Wilson, PhD, one of the
study's authors.
"These findings suggest that, over a lifetime, chronic
experience of stress affects the area of the brain that governs
stress response. Unfortunately, that part of the brain also
regulates memory," he continued.
What Can You do if You're a Pessimistic Worrier?
In an ideal world, none of us would think negatively, but,
in reality, many of us do. Trying to worry less and keep your
"psychological distress" to a minimum will go a
long way toward improving the quality of your life, and in
time perhaps your memory as well.
"I do think that being less prone to negative emotions
should reduce one's risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's,"
Wilson said in a Psychiatric News article.
"This trait is pretty stable in adulthood and old age,
however, so changing it may be difficult," he says.
It may take some work, but changing your habit of thinking
negatively is possible. Here are some tips to help you gain
your newfound positive outlook:
-
Replace negative words/phrases with positive ones (instead
of saying "I'm so fat, I'll never lose weight,"
say "I'm thankful for having the motivation to not
eat a second piece of cake").
-
See the beauty in the world around you.
-
When you feel stressed out, learn how to relax. The
Pure Relaxation CD, which uses guided meditations
and music that will calm your mind, soothe your emotions
and create a state of deep relaxation in your body, is
an excellent tool to help you do so.
-
Cherish the small things in life.
-
Think only positive thoughts about yourself and your
life.
-
Practice the important art of forgiveness.
-
Show your gratitude for the good things in your life.
-
Jot down 10 things you love about your life every day.
-
Try to live in the present, feeling neither regret for
past events nor fear or anxiety about the future.
Recommended Reading
How
to Stop Carrying Emotional Baggage from One Relationship to
the Next
How
to Take Responsibility & Stop Blaming Others (Even if
Others are to Blame)
Sources
Neurology
June 12, 2007; vol 68: pp 2085-2092
Science
Daily June 12, 2007
Psychiatric
News July 20, 2007