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Dementia risk alert: 5 common lifestyle habits that weaken memory over time

Your daily habits today quietly shape your brain tomorrow poor sleep, stress, sugar, alcohol, and inactivity can slowly pave the way for memory loss and dementia.

By NES Web Desk

Mar 21, 2026 15:34 IST

As age increases, the brain gradually becomes weaker. Brain functionality begins to decline. The ability to retain memory also decreases. After 60, many people gradually begin to show symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer's. During this time, the more active the brain can be kept, the better one will remain. But dementia doesn't suddenly appear overnight. Nor does the risk of this disease develop in a single day. Daily bad habits gradually increase the risk of memory loss. Therefore, give up these 5 bad habits while you still have time.

Less than 6 hours of sleep

less sleep

Compromising on sleep will come at a heavy price. Sleeping less than 6 hours gradually reduces brain functionality. The risk of memory loss increases. Moreover, the habit of insufficient sleep increases mental stress and anxiety in daily life. As a result, cognitive health is damaged in the future. This bad habit also affects metabolic health and increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases.

Uncontrolled sugar levels

high blood sugar

When blood sugar levels rise, there's not just the fear of diabetes. As a result, other diseases often strike as well. Suffering from diabetes day after day or developing insulin resistance in the body creates inflammation. This inflammation affects brain health. High sugar levels create oxidative stress and increase the risk of dementia.

Wrong drinking habits

alcohol

Alcohol consumption damages brain health. Alcohol affects brain cells. It creates oxidative stress. Moreover, alcohol consumption causes neuroinflammation. These reduce the ability to retain memory. Along with alcohol, sugary drinks are equally harmful to brain health.

Chronic stress

stress

When mental stress increases, the hormone cortisol is released in the body. And if stress becomes a daily companion, then cortisol levels also increase abnormally. This chronic stress brings multiple complications to the body. Suffering from depression and despair day after day also weakens cognitive health. And with age comes dementia.

Sedentary lifestyle

sedentary lifestyle

Currently, a sedentary lifestyle is responsible for multiple chronic diseases. Uncontrolled living affects the brain. A sedentary lifestyle brings problems of cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease to the body. It also reduces blood circulation to the brain. As a result, adequate oxygen doesn't reach. And this event also gradually increases the risk of dementia.

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