Whether it’s solving puzzles, playing board games or learning new skills, keeping the brain active has long been suggested as a way to lower the risk of dementia.
For many people, though, the demands of a busy working life leave little time for enjoying such activities.
However, the nature of your job may already be making a difference – as certain roles naturally challenge the mind in ways that could help lower the risk of dementia.
‘Many studies suggest that, if people are working in complex jobs during their lifetime, they have a lower likelihood of developing dementia in later life,’ Jinshil Hyun, assistant professor of neurology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told the Washington Post.
Years of research into dementia – an umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect memory and currently impacts around one million Britons – suggest that jobs involving high levels of mental demand, and even stress, may help delay its onset.
Roles such as teaching, public relations and computer programming have previously been found to offer potential benefits, while careers in management, law and medicine have also been linked to a lower risk.
By contrast, jobs in transportation, admin and factory work – often more repetitive in nature – are said to be associated with a higher likelihood of developing the disease.
However, experts stress that there is still plenty you can do outside of work to keep your cognitive function sharp.
Certain roles naturally challenge the mind in ways that could help lower the risk of dementia
‘We spend most of our day in work, at least eight hours a day. So that’s like, a third of our time engaged in work, sometimes more,’ said Naaheed Mukadam, a professor of psychiatry at University College London.
‘That’s a large part of what our brain is engaged in and therefore will have a large contributory effect on cognitive reserve development.’
Prof Mukadam and her colleagues recently studied how education influences dementia risk.
After analysing data from nearly 400,000 people – including lifestyle factors such as alcohol use, smoking, exercise and medical history – they found that higher levels of education are linked to a reduced risk of dementia.
In turn, a better education was found to lead to more complex and better-paid roles, benefitting cognitive health.
Prof Hyun also found in a study, conducted in 2021, that those who graduated from high school had a 26 per cent increase in dementia-free survival time compared to those who did not.
She said the results suggest that ‘if people are doing cognitively enriching activities, then their brain has a more efficient network’.
Experts stress there are still ways to support brain health, even if your job is not particularly mentally demanding.
Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.
Prof Mukadam recommends lifelong learning and pursuing hobbies that provide a sense of purpose.
Volunteering, maintaining social connections and meeting new people are also effective ways to keep the brain active.
It is thought that stay mentally engaged after retirement is also important, with Professor Hyun warning that retiring too early may be linked to poorer cognitive outcomes.
The NHS advises that there are many activities people with dementia can do to support their wellbeing.
Staying socially active is key, with physical exercise and reminiscence activities said to boost confidence and mental wellbeing.
Using smartphones and tablets can also help keep the brain engaged, while getting out and about – whether to dementia-friendly cinema screenings, theatre performances or simply for a walk in the park – can provide valuable stimulation and social interaction.
