Published in journal Neurology, researchers conducted a review of 38 studies involving more than 2 million people who did not have dementia and were followed for at least 3 years. Participants answered leisure activity questionnaires or interviews.

Leisure activity for the study was defined as activities in which people engaged in for enjoyment or well-being. They were divided into mental, physical, and social activities.

After adjusting for age ,sex, and education, leisure activities overall had a 17% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not participate in leisure activities.

Specifically, mental activities such as reading, writing, playing games, and listening to the music had a dementia lower risk of 23%. Physical activities such as running, walking, swimming, yoga, exercise, and bicycling lead to a 17% lowering risk from dementia. While social activities such as volunteering, social clubs, visiting friends and families had a 7% lower risk of dementia.

While other studies have shown specific activities have different effects on lowering dementia risk, the classical saying is still true, that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. In the case, dull as in he has dementia.

S Su et al. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurology (2022). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200929