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Waking closer to dawn and staying active throughout the day boosts mood and cognition

Waking up early and staying active throughout the day can improve a person’s cognition and make them happier, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) found that seniors who woke up before 7 a.m. and exercised regularly and consistently each day scored better on cognitive tests and reported lower rates of depression.

Interestingly, the study found that duration of exercise was more important for brain health than intensity. Participants who did vigorous exercise for half an hour to an hour each day saw little benefit compared to those who did light activities such as walking most of their waking hours.

While exercise has long been associated with better cognitive function, the study found that exercising consistently and following a more regular schedule may be the most important factor when it comes to maintaining cognitive health in old age.

Researchers have found that sustained exercise is more important than strenuous exercise when it comes to keeping the brain healthy in old age.

Researchers have found that sustained exercise is more important than strenuous exercise when it comes to keeping the brain healthy in old age.

Presenting the JAMA Psychiatry findings Tuesday for the study, the researchers collected data from 1,800 people over the age of 65.

Each is equipped with an accelerometer, a device that can detect movement and effort over seven days to monitor their daily activities.

Participants also filled out questionnaires about their daily moods and also recorded their waking times each morning.

They found that 37% of the participants got up early in the morning – 7:00 or earlier – and remained relatively active throughout the day. This group also had consistent daily routines.

This group tested the best on cognitive exams and was also the least likely group to report depressive symptoms in the study.

“Many older people had a solid pattern: getting up and going for an average of 7 hours; They stay active for about 15 hours a day. They also tend to follow the same pattern every day,” he said. Stephen Smagula, assistant professor of psychiatry at UPMC, said in a statement.

“Look, these same adults were happier, less depressed, and had better cognitive function than the other participants.”

One-third of the participants had a fixed daily routine but woke up later or went to bed earlier during the day.

As a result, they did not score as well as the previous group on cognitive tests and reported a slightly higher risk of depression.

This is an interesting finding for researchers, as it shows that more steady activity throughout the day may be more valuable than strenuous exercise every day.

“People often think that the intensity of activity is important for health, but perhaps the duration of the activity is more important,” explains Smagula.

“It’s a different way of thinking about activity: you may not need to sprint or run a marathon, but just be busy with activity all day.”

The worst group was the remaining 30 percent with inconsistent daily patterns and irregular physical activity throughout the day.

Researchers found that having a consistent daily wake-up schedule before 7 am is critical for cognitive health in old age (archive photo)

Researchers found that having a consistent daily wake-up schedule before 7 am is critical for cognitive health in old age (archive photo)

Researchers found that having a consistent daily wake-up schedule before 7 am is critical for cognitive health in old age (archive photo)

This group was the worst, scoring low on cognitive tests and almost the most likely to report depressive symptoms.

“Our findings suggest that activity disruption is very common and associated with health problems in the elderly,” Smagula said.

“The relationship is probably two-way, so the good news is that we think simple changes – things anyone can try – can restore normal activity patterns and improve health.”

He said the most important factor in potentially reversing the effects a bad routine or inconsistent schedule can have is developing a daily plan for staying active and participating in fun activities.

“Most people are aware of the importance of getting a good night’s sleep and exercising, but I think what’s missing from this picture is the pattern of daily or circadian activity,” Smagula said. Said.

“Having something to wake up to each morning and spending the entire day in a way that you find meaningful and rewarding can be important for us to get a good night’s sleep and age well.”

Source: Daily Mail

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