Love to socialize? Well, here’s some good news: Interacting with other people is more than just fun — it boosts your brain health. The Mayo Clinic reports that being socially involved helps decrease stress and depression, both of which can contribute to cognitive decline. Additionally, studies indicate that the slowest rate of memory decline has been observed in those who socialize the most. The positive effects of social interaction are even more heightened in people who interact with friends and acquaintances than in those who only converse with members of their families. So, if you were thinking about joining a club or signing up to volunteer for a local cause, here’s your sign! 

According to the NIA, the cognitive benefits derived from social interaction could be contributed to the fact that the brain must tap into the areas responsible for language and memory when we converse with each other, and that increased activity in those areas can boost brain health. This also explains why social contact can help improve cognitive reserve, which allows older adults to maintain relatively normal modes of thinking and memory recall despite the brain-health decline associated with aging. Mix social interaction with physical activity — by walking with a group of friends or playing doubles tennis — and you’ve got a cognitive health double-whammy.