The holiday season can be a joyful period, but it can also cause stress and loneliness, which has an impact on brain health and general well-being. Identifying the first signs of mental decline in ourselves and our loved ones can be delicate, and understanding how to manage these feelings is important.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sharon A. Brangman, who brings a richness of experience as a trustee of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation. Dr. Brangman shares his wisdom on maintaining brain health, recognition of stress and solitude of the holidays and supporting cognitive well-being during this holiday season. We all deserve a joyful and mental holiday season. So, let’s dive into this discussion and make sure that we all take measures to support our well-being during this special period of the year.
BHM: What were the main conclusions of the recent study on brain aging in black communities, and how do these results have an impact on our understanding of cognitive health?
Dr Brangman: Although our consumer survey has been representative nationally, we can decompose data by demography and learned that more than 75% of American black respondents think they have control of their physical health as they age against only 25% who believe they have control of their brain health.
We have also found a lack of consciousness around the normal changes that occur as the brain ages. For example, when the respondents were invited to react if an older person in his life was starting to forget things like the names or the day of the week temporarily and remembered them later, the majority (62%), said that she would be concerned about dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as opposed to the realization of normal changes that could occur with aging. In addition, more than half of black American respondents said they needed to discuss brain health or cognitive aging with their primary care provider.
Our results were comparable in all the demographic groups that responded to the survey, stressing the need for education and telling us in the field that we have a lot of work to do in terms of awareness of how the brain changes with the age and importance of protecting the health of your brain.
BHM: What are the common signs of stress and loneliness during the holiday season with which people should be aware, especially in the black community?
Dr Brangman: Although we generally consider the holidays as a happy moment, it can sometimes be overwhelming, which leads to stress. Certain common signs of stress that we see at that time may include exhaustion, headache, digestive problems and anxiety.
People feeling alone during the holidays can avoid socializing, withdrawing from family and friends or even getting into unhealthy habits.
Given that the holiday season aligns over the darkening winter months, individuals can feel their stress and loneliness coincide with signs of seasonal depression as a low persistent mood, feelings of guilt or despair, lethargy and fatigue, and to focus.
BHM: How do stress and loneliness have an impact on cognition, especially within the black community?
Dr Brangman: We know that black communities are already affected disproportionately by stress through social continuous means and generational trauma, which is why these factors are particularly important to solve. Thanks to my work, I found that people with solid social ties are less likely to feel a cognitive decline than people who spend most of their time alone.
Other works, such as a study by the University of Georgia, has revealed that black Americans suffering from mental health struggles such as loneliness and depression can have greater variations between their true brain age and their chronological age, signaling a potential for cognitive or dementia.
BHM: What are the effective strategies to fight against stress and loneliness to support healthy cognitive aging during the holidays?
Dr Brangman: Culture of connections is important to fight against stress and loneliness during the holiday season. Although this time can be different for everyone, there are many ways to promote social connections, including volunteering in a food bank, participation in community events or personal care practice with comforting activities such as exercise, cooking, meditation or exploration of nature.
These practices have reduced the risk of other health problems and improve cognition, mood and psychological functioning.
BHM: How can individuals recognize and approach their feelings of solitude during the holiday season?
Dr Brangman: The darker winter months and the holiday season can cause feelings of solitude and disconnection of their loved ones, which leads to isolation and sadness. If you are starting to feel withdrawn or not interested in your regular activities, it is important to take the time and efforts to forge solid social ties with others, whether family, friends or members of the local community. However, if these feelings reach a low point and have a significant impact on your daily life and well-being, please speak with a health professional.
BHM: What signs should families seek in their loved ones who could indicate the cognitive decline and how to support them?
Dr Brangman: At the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, we found that there was a gap in understanding what the changes are normal as you age in relation to the signs of a more serious memory problem and this lack of understanding often leads to fear. We have launched the Brain Works initiative to reassure people that brain aging is a natural process that begins at birth and continues throughout its life.
We want people to know that certain slippages like wasting time or badly putting the objects around the house could initially be alarming, but are probably signs of normal brain aging.
More serious memory problems are generally manifested with more intense symptoms, in particular by asking the same question on several occasions, losing themselves in familiar places, developing an inability to follow instructions or instructions, or forgetting common words during speech. Other disturbing symptoms may include becoming confused over time, people and places and have mood or behavior changes for no apparent reason. It may be signs of an underlying problem.
If you notice changes in a loved one and you are concerned about his memory or cognitive health, use it as an opportunity to start a conversation with your beloved, then with a health professional.
Talking with a health professional is the first step to understand what causes his memory loss and how to remedy it.
For more information, I suggest consulting the McKnight Brain Works web page, which we have organized to provide resources to better understand the brain with age and how to speak with beings dear to their concerns with their memory.
BHM: What lifestyle changes are the most effective in supporting brain health and reducing the effects of stress and loneliness?
Dr Brangman: The adoption of a combination of healthy behavior, which has proven to reduce cancer, diabetes and heart disease, will also help you protect the health of the brain and alleviate the effects of stress and loneliness.
* Connection with people through social activities and community programs can keep your brain active and engaged with the world around you. Social activities can also reduce the risk of health problems and improve well-being. Volunteer in your church or in your community center or share the activities you like with your friends and family.
* Manage stress and seek medical care for any symptoms of depression, anxiety or any other mental health problem
* Obtain 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night as recommended
* Manage your blood pressure, weight and cholesterol levels to reduce and manage your risk of cardiovascular disease
* Speak with your doctor about your health problems and the drugs and supplements you take, as it can have an impact on your cognitive health.
By following the advice of Dr. Brangman, we can create a really joyful and joyful season. Stay connected, look at each other and prioritize mental well-being. Here is a holiday season filled with happiness and good health.
