According To Research, Negative Thoughts Repeated Can Accelerate Decline In Mindness

Illustration of repeated negative thoughts can accelerate the decline in thinking power (Freepic)

YOGYAKARTA - Concerns and regret, considered a negative mindset, which needs to be revisited for its impact on mental health. According to research, often worry and regret being called repetitive negative thinking (RNT) or recurring negative thinking. Although it seems like part of ordinary stress, it turns out that this habit can have a direct impact on brain health, especially at an age.

A study from the 2024 BMC Psychiatry published shows that elderly people who are often trapped in negative repetitive thinking patterns are at higher risk of cognitive decline, including memory disorders and executive functions.

RNT refers to thoughts that continue to repeat concerns (worry) about the future or past regret (rumination), without a clear solution. For example: "What if I fail?" or "Why don't I do that first?". This research involved nearly 1,200 people over the age of 65. Researchers conducted their research by following participants for four years.

The results show that those with high RNT levels experience a decrease in memory and a faster decrease in brain function than participants with a more stable mindset. In fact, brain scans (PET scans) show the buildup of harmful proteins such as amyloids and tau, two characteristics of Alzheimer's disease, in individuals with high RNT levels.

It should be understood, referring to the study, when you are constantly thinking negatively, the body produces stress hormones such as cortisol. If it takes place chronically, this hormone can damage brain cells, interfere with sleep, exacerbate moods, and accelerate brain aging. Biologically, unhandled mental stress can weaken brain areas that play a role in memory and decision-making, such as hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.

The good news is that a recurring negative mindset can be recognized and reduced. Here are some practical steps that can help:

Your mind is not just a word in the head. The mind has the power to form, or actually be damaging, brain health. If you feel often trapped in repeated negative thoughts, it's not just a matter of mood. It could be an early signal of cognitive deceleration. So by realizing and managing a recurring negative mindset, you not only keep your mind clear, but also provide protection for the brain for the long term.