How learning new crafts can help prevent dementia

Now, here’s a subject most of us would prefer not to think about. But dementia

is the illness most people worry about most – for themselves, their parents or

others.

Despite much research, effective treatments are not yet available and so we need to concentrate on prevention. Although the evidence is far from clear-cut, none of the approaches suggested so far by researchers would cause any harm so they are worth a try. Happily, most of them are enjoyable too.

Scientists agree that just like physical exercise, mental exercise is good for your overall health. This can take many forms, but one of them, is learning new crafts.

There are several reasons why this is so. It strengthens the brain. Crafting may prevent

Alzheimer’s because creativity helps build connections in the brain, which can

stop memory loss. It will also improve focus. Making things requires concentration and interaction – so much better than, say, television. Over time, this can reduce anxiety, minimise depression, and result in overall better brain heath. Reducing stress is key because it can damage our brains and increases physical symptoms such as blood pressure. Craft is an effective way to do all this - what is good for the heart is good for the brain.

There is more good news. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, nor whether you are ‘good’ at it. Just that you find it absorbing. You can enjoy your hobby alone or with others. It’s never too late or too soon to begin.

And finally, such hobbies are even still useful for people who have already begun to experience problems. So if you know someone in that situation, you could help them by encouraging them to take up something new, or try again something they used to enjoy perhaps give them a kit with everything they need, talk to them about their hobby, even spend some time with them doing it, when that’s possible again. That way, you will both get some benefit.