Can Happiness Ward Off Dementia?

The Happiness Lab

Age is the main risk factor for cognitive decline. So with more people around the world living longer, cases of dementia are set to rise. There’s currently no cure – but research suggests that happiness can reduce the impact of this awful illness. 

Psychologist Emily Willroth helped write a chapter on this topic for the 2024 World Happiness Report – and explains how making friends, helping others and engaging in fun physical activities can slow cognitive decline, even when the disease has taken hold.