Do you like to knit? Collect stamps? Read? If you have a hobby that you enjoy doing and do regularly, you may be warding off memory loss.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic presented study findings after following 200 seniors, aged 70 to 89 years old who had "mild cognitive impairments," and comparing them to 200 healthy seniors without any cognitive problems.

The researchers were interested in how mentally active the study subjects were during their 50s and early 60s. According to a BBC news story, "Those who had during middle age been busy reading, playing games or engaging in craft hobbies like patchworking or knitting were found to have a 40% reduced risk of memory impairment. In later life, those same activities reduced the risk by between 30 and 50%."

However, the effects from watching television, which is a passive activity, depended on the number of hours watched. More than seven hours was harmful for memory, less than seven hours was helpful.

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Images: Morguefile.com

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