8 Amazing Ways Being a Grandparent Does Wonders for Your Health

You stay sharp

Spending just the right amount of time with grandchildren could sharpen your cognitive skills. When Australian researchers studied 120 grandmothers, they found that those who helped care for grandchildren one day per week scored highest on memory and other mental tests. But those who spent five or more days a week taking care of grandchildren performed significantly worse. “Interaction with other people could cause stimulation of certain nerve pathways that are beneficial to our brain,” says Sharon Brangman, MD, a board member of the Health and Aging Foundations at the American Geriatrics Society. “But we also know stress can impact brain power and memory. People who are grandparenting too much may have high stress levels and therefore not getting that cognitive benefit.” The takeaway? Enjoy grandparenting, but take some rest time for yourself too. Try doing these 10 little things to keep your brain sharp and healthy later in life.