YOUR 2024 BRAIN BRAWN MINI RESOLUTION A MONTH OF MICRO RESOLUTIONS • WEEK 2

This Week's Micro Resolution: Social Engagement

 As a reminder, we are tackling a different lifestyle modification each week of August. Last Monday, we examined engaging with art or music as two non-pharmaceutical interventions known to positively influence certain symptoms in neurodegenerative conditions, including: behavioral symptoms (agitation), and psychological symptoms (depression and anxiety), memory, and socialization. That last benefit, socialization, bridges the conversation to this week’s topic: isolation/loneliness.

 
As a reminder, our micro resolutions for the month of August are:

Week 1: Music and Art Therapy (click here to view) 

Week 2: Social Engagement (this week!) 

Week 3: Brain Games (week of 8/19)​

Week 4: Hearing Loss (week of 8/26)

How Our Health May Suffer as a Result of Isolation and Loneliness

 Isolation is described as the objective reality of truly existing with a deficit of social bonds. Loneliness is described as the subjective experience where an individual may be surrounded by people but does not feel connected and supported. While the two may not be synonymous in the literature, both experiences negatively impact one’s mental health and overall health. Being or feeling disconnected has been equated with such negative consequences to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. A recent John’s Hopkins study found socially isolated adults have a 27% higher chance of developing dementia.

As with many associations, the exact molecular mechanism is not well understood, but there are biological indicators worth examining in those who are less socially connected:

• The immune system is impaired
• Inflammatory biomarkers are higher 
• Abnormal brain structures have been noted
  
  

All these biological indicators are associated with cognitive decline and neurodegeneration.
Interestingly, research now believes this association may be bidirectional. Meaning lack of social connections/community may drive cognitive decline and cognitive decline may also drive social isolation. The thinking is that, with cognitive decline, comes with a lack of confidence in one’s ability to effectively communicate, thus leading individuals to wall themselves off from social interactions.
 
Access to technology has been found to reduce social isolation in the elderly. Churchgoers have also long been studied for their keen sense of social bonds.


How to Avoid Social Isolation or Loneliness
 
Many of our micro resolutions are tied to group activities which can foster a sense of community for an individual. They also involve learning something new, which we address next week. Examples of these include taking classes in exercise, cooking and art/music. However, it can be intimidating to take that first step, so this week our micro resolution isn’t something you do for yourself, it is something you can do for another person.
 
This week we ask you to consider the people you know who may be lonely or isolated, a person who recently lost a pet or spouse, a neighbor who lives alone, a quiet coworker, etc. and extend yourself to them.
 
Invite that person for a walk or a cup of coffee, drop off a home-cooked meal and chat a few moments, etc. When the holidays come or at your next gathering, maybe you’ll invite this individual. We are fairly confident this selfless act will be as beneficial for you as the person to whom you extend yourself.

TRACK YOUR PROGRESS

THIS WEEK'S MICRO RESOLUTION: SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT!

Make plans or extend yourself to an isolated person this week. Use the log below to track your weekly micro resolution as well as to continue to log your exercise, sleep, sugar, water and fruit and veggie goals!

Click to view and download the log.