Brain health and ageing: How emotional regulation can protect against memory decline

Brain health tips: When the brain stays stuck in a negative state, it may make areas vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Anxiety and rumination make this effect even stronger (Image: Pexels)

What are we if not for our emotions? In the world shaped by AI and automation, it’s our emotions that keep us human.  And as we grow older, these feelings far from being a weakness, maybe one of our greatest strengths. They don’t just shape who we are; they help to protect our minds.

A recent study at the University of Geneva has uncovered new insights into how negative emotions, anxiety, and depression impact brain health, especially as you get older. The research suggests that how you manage your emotions matters, not just for your mental health, but also for protecting your brain as you age. Practices like meditation could offer simple, non-drug ways to support brain health and possibly delay or prevent dementia.

How to prevent dementia, keep brain sharp: 6 ways managing your emotions matters

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• Emotional inertia and ageing: Research shows that as you get older, your brains tend to hold onto negative feelings longer than when you were young. This emotional inertia, the tendency to stay stuck in negative feelings, happens especially in brain areas that process emotions and memories.

• Negative feelings and dementia risk: When the brain stays stuck in a negative state, it may make areas vulnerable to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Anxiety and rumination make this effect even stronger.

• Emotional stickiness and ageing: While older adults often get better at focusing on the positive, excessive emotional inertia can signal a shift towards unhealthy brain ageing, especially if you experience lots of anxiety or negative thoughts.

Managing emotions for a healthy brain:

Learning to manage emotions more effectively might help your brain recover faster from stress, also possibly lowering dementia risk.

Get help from meditation: Ongoing research is testing two types of meditation: mindfulness (being present with your feelings) and compassionate meditation (cultivating kindness toward yourself and others), to see if they can reduce emotional inertia.

Learn new skills: The study also explores whether picking up a new language can improve brain flexibility and emotional recovery, potentially keeping the brain healthier as we age.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for a specific health diagnosis.