Is watching tv harmful to the brain? The effects of television on the Brain. Researchers say middle-aged people who watch television are at higher risk of impaired brain health in later years.
In today’s digitalizing age, we can hardly stay away from the screens. Generations Y and Z were born completely into technology. However, the baby boomer generation was introduced to technology later. Still, technology has become indispensable in their lives. We see that many middle-aged people can keep up with the times and use everything from smartphones to tablets. Some people are not so interested in technology. However, there is one point that these two groups cannot give up; television! Watching television has become indispensable especially for those born in the 60s and 70s.
Studies show that watching too much television in your 40s and 50s can negatively affect brain health. Research shows that excessive television viewing can cause cognitive decline and a reduction in gray matter in the brain, which is involved in the control of sensory perceptions. Experts recommend having hobbies that you will have fun with instead of watching TV. Let’s take a closer look at the research and its details.
The more television you watch in your 40s, 50s, and 60s, the greater your risk of brain health problems in later years, according to three new studies presented at the American Heart Association’s 2021 Health Conference last month.
In studies, watching television was evaluated as a measure of sedentary behavior. Study participants answered questions about their viewing habits, completed cognitive tests, and underwent brain MRI scans
TV viewing criteria; were classified as low, moderate, and high (often).
According to the results of the research; People who reported watching a moderate or excessive (high) amount of television experienced more cognitive decline later in life and decreased gray matter in the brain.
The gray matter is in the hippocampus. It also includes sensory perception such as vision and hearing, memory, emotions, speech, decision making, and self-control.
Researchers also found that the positive effect of physical activity was not sufficient to combat or counter the negative effect of watching TV.
However, hobbies are good for brain health.
According to the data, for every 1-hour increase in a person’s average daily TV viewing time, there is a 0.5 percent decrease in gray matter volume.
Is Watching TV Harmful to the Brain? So what can be done to prevent this?
When it comes to changing your lifestyle, how you proceed to achieve the best results is ultimately your choice. You have to decide for yourself what you can and cannot do. However, experts suggest: “Instead of picking up the remote, reach for a book or go for a walk.”
Some of the activities you can do instead of watching television;
- Brisk walking
- Various courses where you can socialize
- Hobbies such as gardening, wood painting
- Cycling
- On the other hand, you can choose to do more sedentary activities that stimulate brain function, such as knitting, solving puzzles, or playing an instrument.