Parents who want to keep their child's brain healthy may want to consider encouraging social behavior, as this could carry into the child's older years and ultimately decrease the risk of a cognitive decline later on in life.

According to research from the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, visiting friends and attending parties may be just as good for the brain as stimulating activities such as a crossword puzzle.

"It's logical to think that when someone's cognitive abilities break down, they are less likely to go out and meet friends, enjoy a camping trip or participate in community clubs," said lead researcher Bryan James. "If memory and thinking capabilities fail, socializing becomes difficult."

While it may be a good idea to instill these habits at earlier, impressionable ages, there are other ways people can check for cognitive decline at a later age.

For older individuals who are worried about cognitive decline, taking IQ tests every once and a while can help track how much information they're able to retain.

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