Recent medical research has highlighted the significant impact of employment on mental health. According to a study conducted in Norway engaging in employment that does not require much mental activity can significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline in older age.
The research conducted at Oslo University Hospital revealed that during the third, fourth, fifth or sixth decade of life, the risk of moderate cognitive decline increases by 66 percent and the risk of dementia increases by 37 percent due to not using the brain extensively during employment.
In contrast, employment that involves mentally stimulating tasks helps preserve cognitive function with advancing age and reduces the risk of dementia.
This study involved the examination of data from 7,000 individuals employed in various professions from the age of 30 until retirement. Researchers repeatedly referred to routine jobs as those that did similar tasks and deemed them detrimental to mental health.
According to the researchers, most individuals perform routine jobs such as construction workers, domestic workers or others. They emphasized that the results demonstrate the importance of our employment for mental health.
They further explained that our employment is crucial for maintaining memory and other cognitive functions in older age. Engaging in life’s activities, maintaining a sense of purpose, learning new things and social interaction are considered essential elements for preserving cognitive function in older age and mentally engaging employment also contributes to protection against dementia.
They concluded that staying mentally active through employment is as crucial for cognitive functions as physical exercise is for physical health. The findings of this study were published in the journal Neurology.
