This may seem obvious.
A study published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology suggests that engaging your brain at work can benefit your memory and brain function in later life. The research conducted in Norway analyzed 7,000 individuals from 305 different occupations to assess the level of cognitive stimulation required in their jobs. The study revealed a correlation between cognitive engagement at work during various life stages and a decreased risk of mild cognitive impairment after the age of 70.
According to Dr. Trine Holt Edwin from Oslo University Hospital, jobs that involve higher cognitive demands could potentially mitigate cognitive decline in old age. The study compared the cognitive stimulation of individuals performing manual tasks, such as equipment control or factory work, with those involved in jobs requiring information analysis and interpretation for others. Teaching emerged as the most cognitively stimulating occupation, while being a custodian or mail carrier represented the least stimulating roles.
Individuals working in occupations with lower cognitive demands exhibited a 66% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment compared to those in more mentally challenging roles. The authors emphasized the importance of education and engaging in intellectually stimulating work throughout one’s career to reduce the likelihood of cognitive impairment in later years.
Occupations like management, teaching, law, social work, engineering, physics, medicine, and pharmacy were identified as potentially beneficial for maintaining cognitive function. However, further research is needed to identify the specific occupationally related cognitive tasks that are most effective in preserving cognitive abilities.
On the other hand, certain professions, such as sales roles, nursing assistants, farmers, and livestock producers, were associated with a higher risk of dementia. These occupations often involve factors like lack of autonomy, prolonged standing, stress, and irregular working hours, which may contribute to cognitive challenges and increased vulnerability to cognitive decline.