As the days draw in and temperatures drop, sacking off work Christmas drinks in favour of a night in can seem like an appealing option.
But avoiding socialising with your colleagues or friends could do you more harm than good in the long run, putting you at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s, according to scientists.
New research from a team at the University of St Andrews in Scotland shows a “direct link” between social isolation and cognitive decline - regardless of whether or not people believed they were lonely.
They said their findings showed social interaction, such as Christmas drinks and family gatherings, can boost your cognitive health as well as your mental health.
The study, published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences , looked at data from 137,000 cognitive function tests taken between 2004 and 2018 by over 30,000 individuals in the US.
They found that reducing social isolation helped protect against cognitive decline across all social groups and genders. Additionally, their findings revealed that while social isolation and loneliness are often thought of as associated, social isolation can boost your cognitive function even if you do not believe you are lonely.
The team said cognitive decline in older age is most often driven by Alzheimer’s or related dementias. There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK - a number that is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040, according to the Alzheimer’s Society.
Lead author of the paper, Dr Jo Hale from the University of St Andrews, said: “Around the holidays, many of us think a lot about how important it is to be surrounded by family and friends.
“From Pagan winter holidays to classic Christmas tales, we’re reminded that social engagement is good for our mental health. This research shows that it’s also important for our cognitive health.”
She said that finding ways to provide regular social interaction for older adults should be a “public health priority”, adding Alzheimer’s is a leading cause of death for older adults in the UK and US.
Richard Oakley, Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The findings from this study help deepen our understanding of how social isolation affects brain health. Unlike loneliness - which reflects how someone feels - social isolation refers to the amount of social contact a person has with others.
“Encouragingly, reducing social isolation appears to protect thinking and memory, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or level of education. However, more research is needed to confirm whether tackling isolation can lower a person’s risk of developing dementia and what type of activities may be most effective.
“We know that a lifelong approach to good health - including staying socially active - is the best way to reduce dementia risk. If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, practical advice and information are available on the Alzheimer’s Society website and our dementia symptoms checklist can be a helpful first step in starting a conversation with your GP.”
It comes after research from Newcastle University suggested socialising could help to reduce the risk of frailty later in life.
Results showed that those with higher social engagement at the start had a 31 per cent lower risk of frailty, while those who increased their social activity over the eight-year period saw a 23 per cent reduced risk.
