Pets not only enjoy the owners, but can really help to keep a clear mind in the elderly. This is evidenced by a new study of Swiss scientists published in Scientific Reports The Guardian refers to .
For 18 years, scientists have analyzed European health research data and retirement, which has been attended by thousands of people from 50 years of age. The purpose is to find out how the keeping of pets affects the cognitive functions of the brain: memory, speech, care.
The results were eloquent:
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Dog owners kept memory better and remained careful for longer;
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The owners of cats decreased more slowly;
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Instead, birds and fish did not show such a positive impact.
According to one of the authors of the study, Adriana Rostekova, the key role is played by emotional connection: with cats and dogs people are more closely attached, instead, fish live for a long time, and birds can adversely affect sleep.
In addition, dog walking is an additional physical and social load, which also has a positive effect on the brain.
This study is not the first of its kind. Earlier, scientists have already argued that contact with dogs activates brain waves associated with resting states, happiness and relaxation.
The conclusion is simple: a fluffy friend can be not only a source of joy, but also a real means of maintaining mental activity in old age.
