It seems like having grandchildren is something every parent looks forward to in one way or another. It is an entirely new and exciting phase of life and perhaps even a chance to be reminded of when one's children were young.
According to Care2, being a grandparent comes with many benefits ranging from decreased loneliness, brain stimulation, and increased physical fitness.
So, it is indeed scientifically proven that having grandchildren is good for both your mental and physical health.
It should come as no surprise, then, that in a study conducted by The North American Menopause Society, grandparents that babysit once weekly did much better on a range of cognitive tests than those who didn't. Oddly enough, those who babysat morethan once a week were also found to have lower scores.
Moreover, babysitting your grandkids once a week seems to be the golden number when it comes to avoiding dementia and alzheimers. It makes sense! The love, purpose and connection that comes from babysitting are a positive thing that could turn into stress if it were a daily occurrence.
Hopefully, that is a bit of a heartfelt story for you this holiday season.
Check out this video that Alzheimer's Weekly posted on YouTube for more information about just how 'a grandchild for one day' can 'keep dementia away.'
