Most of us spend a good part of our day either parked on the couch or at our desks, but not all sitting is created equal. New research suggests that switching zoning out in front of the TV for activities such as reading a book or working on a project could give your brain a boost that lowers your risk of dementia later on. With dementia now the third leading cause of death among older adults worldwide, researchers may have identified a surprisingly simple protective habit: replacing passive screen time with reading or mentally engaging work could reduce your risk by up to 11%. The most helpful activities are those that challenge you, involve learning something new, or require active problem-solving. Not all sedentary behaviors carry the same risk. Some may increase the risk of dementia, while others may be protective. Overall, exercise has the stronger and more consistent evidence for reducing dementia risk.
