Four Weddings and Working Memory
You may be one of the 18 million people that watched the YouTube clip of Jill and Kevin dancing down the aisle on their wedding day to Chris Brown’s ‘Forever’.
What is it about weddings that make us feel good? Maybe you love weddings because of the free cake. Or maybe you like them because of you get to laugh at the bridesmaid dresses. Or perhaps, like me, you like weddings because it gives you a chance to share in a friend’s joy and reminisce with people you don’t get a chance to see very often.
Believe it or not, our connection to friends and family plays a big role in preserving our working memory. A recent study* showed that adults who spoke or emailed their family at least once a week and met up with their neighbors or friends for a chat were less likely to lose their working memory ability. Those who lived alone and were isolated were more likely to suffer signs of memory decline associated with dementia. The researchers suggest that regular contact with friends and loved ones provide a greater sense of purpose and emotional support that boosts working memory.
So what are you waiting for, call your mom. You know she’d love to hear from you.
* KA Ertel (2008). American Journal of Public Health
