- New research suggests practicing having a positive mindset could influence your memory down the road.
- There was a small link between participants who reported higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on memory tests.
- Here’s what you need to know about mental health and its ties to your brain health.
There is nothing worse than being told to “stay positive” after a rough day at the office, bad doctor’s visit, or messy breakup. Yet, while it can be incredibly difficult to stay positive during difficult times in your life (and, of course, anxiety and depression are very, very real), new research suggests that striving to stay positive could influence your memory down the road.
Of course, memory is complex, and it’s impossible to stay upbeat and slap a smile on all the time, but these findings definitely provide a good reminder to focus on the good in your life. Because when you’re able to proactively change your mindset, you might be better off down the road!
Here’s exactly what the study found, plus, what doctors want you to keep in mind when taking this information into consideration.
Meet the experts: Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA; Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the “Mind in View” podcast
What did the study find?
The study, which was published in the journal Aging & Mental Health, analyzed data from nearly 11,000 women and men who participated in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a long-term research study on adults over the age of 50.
During the 16 year study, the participants answered questions on their wellbeing and memory every two years. Wellbeing questions included things like, “I can do the things that I want to do,” and “I feel that life is full of opportunities,” while the memory tests challenged the participants to recall 10 words immediately and then with a delay.
The researchers found a small link between people who said they had higher levels of wellbeing and those who performed better on the memory tests. They also found that the link was still there, even after the researchers adjusted for participants who had depression.
“Higher levels of wellbeing are associated with better memory function over 16 years,” the researchers wrote in the conclusion. “Better wellbeing may be a protective factor in retaining memory function from middle to later adulthood.”
What does “psychological wellbeing” entail?
The researchers defined “psychological wellbeing” as the balance between psychological, social, and physical challenges a person faces, along with their available resources to meet those challenges.
The researchers refer to psychological wellbeing as a “multifaceted construct” of emotional health (like happiness and confidence) and effective functioning (control over your life and your sense of purpose).
How does your psychological wellbeing impact your brain health?
The study didn’t dive into this exact question (i.e. figuring out why they saw these results with participants), but experts certainly have a few theories.
“Feeling happy and smiling has been shown to increase brain neurotransmitter levels like serotonin,” says Clifford Segil, DO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. (In case you’re not familiar with it, serotonin is considered a feel-good hormone, and it plays a role in regulating your mood and boosting feelings of happiness.)
“Feeling well is healthy and good for your brain health,” Dr. Segil says. “Many patients with memory loss have lost the ability to feel happiness and wellbeing, which is bad for their brain health.”
Good psychological wellbeing may also serve as a “protective factor” for your brain, says Thea Gallagher, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor at NYU Langone Health and a cohost of the “Mind in View” podcast. “Depression and anxiety can add stress to your life, and that can impact your memory and how well your brain works,” she says. So, it makes sense that being free from anxiety and depression have the opposite effect.
What are some other psychosocial impacts on our health?
We’ve already established that your mental health could have an impact on your brain health, but prior research already shows it has a major effect on your physical health. “We have a lot of data to support the concept that stress, anxiety, and depression can take years off of your life,” Gallagher says. “It impacts our whole health and our physical health.”
On the flip side, thinking positively about life may be more helpful for life in the long-run, she says. And yes, your attitude can have an impact on your health outcomes, Dr. Segil adds. “Fear about having a chronic neurological condition like memory loss often causes worsening memory loss,” he says.
Again, some amount of stress and anxiety in life is normal. But trying your best to look at the glass as half-full, it may end up doing your health—and your memory—a solid in the long-term.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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