A cohort study found that individuals who engaged in mentally stimulating jobs during their 30s to 60s were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia after turning 70, highlighting the importance of cognitive stimulation during midlife for maintaining cognitive function in old age. [It is important to note that this study identifies associations rather than direct causation of dementia.]
The title of the actual paper includes “Occupational Cognitive Demand” which is a lot more on point.
Doesn’t need to be fun, doesn’t need to be interesting, just needs to be hard.
Accountancy has a fairly high cognitive demand, but calling it stimulating is a stretch.