How To Make More of the Good Years
As another year comes to an end, one may wonder how many of those they have left. Or, more importantly, how many good ones, before their quality of life starts to decline. Luckily, experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) have been investigating a way to make more of the good years—or rather, less of the bad ones—formally called disability-adjusted life years, or DALYs.
According to WHO, central nervous system (CNS) disorders are the number one cause of DALYs. In this position paper by WHO, dementia, a common CNS disorder was investigated. Dementia is loss of brain function that is severe enough to affect one’s daily life, especially when it comes to memory, problem solving, language skills, and the ability to make sense of what you see.
Unsurprisingly, all the things the doctor says are bad may actually increase your risk for dementia. For example, as stated in the position paper, sleeping six hours or less per night during your 50s and 60s is linked to a 30% higher risk of dementia; in addition, smoking is linked to an increased risk for dementia as well as other CNS diseases. Exercise is linked to better brain health and can fight off dementia. Interestingly enough, alcohol use is also linked to an increased risk for dementia, especially if they are ever drunk enough to pass out. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), commonly caused by contact sports, community violence, or car accidents, make up about 3% of dementia cases worldwide. Wearing protective gear like helmets is proven to prevent TBIs while strategies like creating a regular sleep schedule and limiting daytime naps will help in getting better sleep. Although these risk factors may seem frightening, do not fret — literally. Stress is linked to a decrease in brain health overall. Although it is easier said than done, mindfulness meditation and activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong are found to reduce stress. Also, keeping your diet balanced and your weight in check is proven to decrease your risk for dementia.
According to WHO, central nervous system (CNS) disorders are the number one cause of DALYs. In this position paper by WHO, dementia, a common CNS disorder was investigated. Dementia is loss of brain function that is severe enough to affect one’s daily life, especially when it comes to memory, problem solving, language skills, and the ability to make sense of what you see.
Unsurprisingly, all the things the doctor says are bad may actually increase your risk for dementia. For example, as stated in the position paper, sleeping six hours or less per night during your 50s and 60s is linked to a 30% higher risk of dementia; in addition, smoking is linked to an increased risk for dementia as well as other CNS diseases. Exercise is linked to better brain health and can fight off dementia. Interestingly enough, alcohol use is also linked to an increased risk for dementia, especially if they are ever drunk enough to pass out. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), commonly caused by contact sports, community violence, or car accidents, make up about 3% of dementia cases worldwide. Wearing protective gear like helmets is proven to prevent TBIs while strategies like creating a regular sleep schedule and limiting daytime naps will help in getting better sleep. Although these risk factors may seem frightening, do not fret — literally. Stress is linked to a decrease in brain health overall. Although it is easier said than done, mindfulness meditation and activities such as yoga, Tai Chi and Qigong are found to reduce stress. Also, keeping your diet balanced and your weight in check is proven to decrease your risk for dementia.
Creating and sticking to a sleep schedule can increase overall brain health.
Image Source: Tumisu
On the social side, intellectual stimulation, defined as the happy feeling after being challenged, was also shown to be beneficial in reducing the risk of dementia. These include activities that engage the brain, such as speaking a different language, reading, dancing, playing an instrument, or even working in an engrossing job. Find more strategies for staying intellectually stimulated here. Staying connected with friends and family is also important. Staying connected with loved ones can decrease the risk for loneliness and isolation — both of which are linked closely to dementia.
So even after all of this, why should we care about making more good years? First of all, implementing these strategies will greatly reduce the rate of death and sickness worldwide. Currently, CNS diseases like dementia are the leading cause of the not-so-good years. Informal hours required to take care of sick loved ones total to about five hours per day, 70% of which fall upon women. These caretakers experience extreme social setbacks, including loss of income and decreased health. That being said, caretakers can utilize some strategies to preserve their own health during these difficult times. Replacing these DALYs with good years would result in narrowed gender gaps as well as increased global efficiency. Nations will become more prosperous and the quality of life would greatly increase. Individuals have more years to reach their potential and give back to the world around them.
So even after all of this, why should we care about making more good years? First of all, implementing these strategies will greatly reduce the rate of death and sickness worldwide. Currently, CNS diseases like dementia are the leading cause of the not-so-good years. Informal hours required to take care of sick loved ones total to about five hours per day, 70% of which fall upon women. These caretakers experience extreme social setbacks, including loss of income and decreased health. That being said, caretakers can utilize some strategies to preserve their own health during these difficult times. Replacing these DALYs with good years would result in narrowed gender gaps as well as increased global efficiency. Nations will become more prosperous and the quality of life would greatly increase. Individuals have more years to reach their potential and give back to the world around them.
Featured Image Source: silviarita
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