Attitude Matters for Brain Health

How Our Attitude Affects Our Brain Health

Changing attitudes to enhance brain ageing and brain health

Embracing healthy ageing begins with cultivating a mindset of 'thinking young'. This concept, often described as maintaining a younger subjective age, is strongly linked to better health outcomes and an improved sense of well-being. Studies reveal that feeling younger is associated with enhanced mental and physical health, reduced depressive symptoms, and increased feelings of purpose, optimism, resilience, and social connection. By adopting a youthful perspective and embracing the vitality of earlier years, we can positively influence our physical abilities and mental outlook. This mindset not only helps counteract internal stigma and societal ageism but also empowers us to break free from limiting beliefs, proving that we are capable of far more than we often assume. In doing so, we challenge the negative stereotypes of ageing that can impact both our mental and physical health.

Thinking young – and why creativity matters

How do we change attitudes to enhance brain ageing and brain health?  One approach is to intentionally ‘think young’.  Feeling young or thinking young, i.e., having a younger subjective age, is linked to positive health outcomes and a greater sense of well-being. A younger subjective age is associated with better mental and physical health, reduced depressive symptoms, meaning in life, optimism, mastery, resilience, curiosity, hope, and social support. ‘Turning back the clock’, living as if in the past, has been shown to alter physiology and grip strength in older people and may help counter intrinsic and extrinsic ageist attitudes. We can train our brains to believe that we can do more than we thought we could. This is a way to break the negative mindset of ageing that we have imposed on ourselves, and that may be affecting our brain ageing trajectory.

 

Become a brain health optimist

A brain health optimist is someone who values and promotes positive attitudes towards brain ageing. Being a brain health optimist is associated with improved social and physical health as you age. One of the benefits of brain health optimism is that you can envision a brighter future for your brain. This perspective on brain health and ageing can be a powerful driver of improved subjective health even in the presence of disease. It takes training and effort to become a brain health optimist; it does not happen by accident. You must be aware of risk and protective factors, actively participate in brain-stimulating activities, form strong social connections, eat a healthy diet, exercise, think young, and inspire others to do the same. And society must support you. 

 



Keep the old man out of the house

Clint Eastwood, now in his nineties, tells himself every day, "Keep the old man out of the house." You must turn away from the old murmurer, full of rage and complaints, lacking courage, and denying that old age can be creative, determined, and full of light and projection." This is an important message: we are as old and creative as we imagine ourselves to be. Our perceptions and attitudes towards ageing, as well as our determination, creativity, and life purpose, are all important.

Another approach is to incorporate art and creative practice. Art can be a powerful tool for changing attitudes towards ageing. Arts programmes that bring together young and old people can help to bridge generation gaps, challenge stereotypes, and promote positive attitudes towards ageing, all of which can lead to longer, healthier lives.

Making and finding meaning can be a goal for everyone. Finding meaning and creativity improves brain health and may help delay cognitive decline. Participating in creative activities improves psychosocial well-being (depression, anxiety, loneliness) and fosters a sense of purpose in life. Creativity and involvement in creative activities (such as writing, working on a project or a hobby and joining community art groups) can boost mood and positive emotions and increase meaning in older people, carers and patients. Interestingly, the benefits of creative engagement through the arts in generating meaning in life may be greater in older people than in younger people. 

Changing attitude has the potential to change outcomes.  Our brains and health will benefit from thinking young, being creative, having a purpose, and embracing optimism and a positive attitude towards ageing.