“Mental decline does not begin in the brain.” Psychologist Gabriela Marc's warning about the “silent fear” of aging
Cognitive decline is not always the exclusive result of biological aging, and the way people live, sleep, relate to stress and personal relationships can directly influence mental health, explains Gabriela Marc, lead clinical psychologist and associate university lecturer at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences for “Adevărul”.
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His comments come in the context of a study recently published in the journal Scientific Reports, according to which adults of all ages can improve their cognitive and emotional health through short mental exercises.
“Mental decline doesn't just start in the brain. It starts in the way we slowly lose touch with life.” says Gabriela Marc.
The psychologist says that one of the biggest fears that come with aging is losing one's own identity and sense of inner continuity.
“There's a silent fear that begins to emerge with age that many people don't speak out loud. It's not just the fear of illness or being forgotten. It's the deep fear that one day they won't recognize themselves anymore.”she explains.
According to the specialist, the health of the brain is permanently influenced by the lifestyle and the emotional environment in which the person lives.
“The way we sleep, love, move, isolate, rush, or abandon ourselves directly shapes and influences our mental health.” says Gabriela Marc.
She argues that what is perceived is often right “mental decline” it can actually hide years of mental exhaustion.
“Sometimes what we call resignation 'decline' is, in reality, an overwhelming form of fatigue. An exhaustion built up over years, drop by drop.” says the psychologist.
The role of stress, sleep and close relationships
Gabriela Marc also explains the role of the nervous system in processing chronic stress and emotional tension.
“The body retains everything. The nervous system is the archive of the years we had to be on guard. It holds the traces of chronic stress, of silent loneliness, of the tension of relationships in which we did not feel safe,” continue this.
And it also talks about the role of the vagus nerve, involved in regulating the state of calmness and safety.
“When a person is in a safe environment marked by gentleness, natural rhythm and authentic connection, the vagus nerve gives the body permission to come down from alertness. Only then does the breath calm down, the body repair itself, and the brain integrate the experience”completes Gabriela Marc.
In his view, close and emotionally secure relationships have a direct effect on our mental and cognitive balance.
“The human brain is not only nourished by oxygen, nutrients and intellectual stimulation. It grows and adjusts in relationship. It thrives in the gaze of a man who truly sees you, in the voice that contains you, in the certainty that you don't have to fight to be accepted“, says the specialist.
At the same time, sleep and physical movement play an essential role in maintaining cognitive functions.
“During sleep, the brain repairs tissue, clears toxins, and organizes information. Lack of it stiffens the mind.” says Gabriela Marc.
It also warns against the effects of digital overstimulation and constant multitasking. “We live in an age of hyper-fragmentation. Multitasking, the mobile phone, the lack of real breaks and the information bombardment are tearing at our attention in a way we hardly realize anymore.” as the psychologist states.
Study: Mental exercises and daily habits can improve brain health
The conclusions presented by Gabriela Marc are also supported by the study carried out by researchers from the Center for BrainHealth at the University of Texas at Dallas.
The research, conducted on nearly 4,000 adults between the ages of 19 and 94, looked at the impact of mental exercise and healthy habits on cognitive and emotional performance.
For three years, researchers tracked how the consistently practiced mental exercises influenced the participants' clarity of thought, emotional balance, and social relationships.
The results showed that people who consistently used the platform provided significantly improved their cognitive performance, regardless of age.
“This study reminds us how the brain is not defined by age, but by possibility,” said Sandra Bond Chapman, co-author of the study and director of the Center for BrainHealth.
The researchers observed that even participants in their 70s and 80s made progress comparable to that of young adults.
The study shows that simple daily habits—getting a good night's sleep, managing stress, uninterrupted work periods, and exercise that boosts attention and decision-making—had greater effects than repetitive memory games.
Gabriela Marc believes that maintaining mental health is not only about cognitive exercises, but also about maintaining an authentic relationship with one's own life.
“Mental health is about continuing to be an active participant in your own story. Protecting your focus, staying curious, moving, sleeping, and refusing soul-drying loneliness.” concludes the psychologist.
