Daily Fit Tip: Chit-chat your way to a better memory

by Rigel Celeste (Subscribe to Rigel Celeste's posts)
Jan 11th 2008 6:00AM

As a general rule talking all the time is considered a slightly negative habit, but if you love to chit chat you might be doing yourself some good: research shows that small talk helps memory. Just 10 minutes of talking with somebody face to face was shown to be just as effective on memory and intellectual performance as spending the same time doing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles.

So if you're not a puzzle person and you've been frustrated because all the "boost your memory" stuff seems to center around doing puzzles, math, or the like -- good news! Now you can talk your way to better mental health!

Source

Comments (6)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

CaliforniaWoman 1-13-2008 @ 1:35AM

"California Healthy" gets you out in the community - to food, wine and walk events, walking tours around town, to restaurants, museums, parks, beaches, etc. LOTS of places to talk with people and be sociable - plus healthy places to eat then Walk it off! Check it out at www.CaliforniaHealthy.com It's endorsed by Dr. David L. Katz, America's #1 diet and exercise guru.

Harry Asmen 1-13-2008 @ 11:29AM

I live in Florida and have trouble finding someone who speaks english to have chit chat with !

fairengh 1-13-2008 @ 10:06PM

Perhaps you should consider learning parts of their language. :-) It may be a great way to both stimulate your own brain cells while also meeting new and interesting people.

G.M. 1-13-2008 @ 2:21PM

Perhaps you should consider teaching them English! :-) It may be a great way to both stimulate your own brain cells, meet new and interesting people and help accelerate their assimilation to American culture!

Eric 1-13-2008 @ 2:15PM

If this is true, why then do some of the worst motor-mouths say the STUPIDEST things?!?

It seems totally logical to me that mental exercises like crosswords, soduku, etc., can help keep your brain more acute by "exercising" it. But merely participating in inane chatter? I fail to see how that would improve anything, other than your ability to spout mindless, pointless nothings.