By Karla Sullivan
As individuals age, they find that it is easy to misplace keys and sometimes forget daily tasks that used to be natural in the past. And the first reaction may be the fear of dementia or Alzheimer’s, which isn’t always the case.
Regardless of your age, there are steps you can take to improve your cognition; the ability to learn new things, intuition, judgment, language and remembering. The brain is capable of procuring new brain cells at any age, but like muscle strength you have to work on exercising those cognitive cells.
Physiological changes takes place in the brain and what can be difficult is maintaining focus, which can create memory loss. For example, you can be trying to focus on a company meeting when your mind becomes cluttered with something else such as a family illness or anything that keeps distracting you from that meeting.
Memory loss generally starts to occur in ones 50s and people it takes more time and strategies to remember. It is different for many depending on your stress level and other circumstances in your life.
“Most people get a little more forgetful with aging, but there are some simple things you can do to prevent memory slips and help your brain to learn and remember better,” says Dr. Anne Fabiny, chief of geriatrics at Cambridge Health Alliance and an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Tips to improving memory start with physical fitness because studies have shown that those who exercise regularly benefit from less memory loss. Good lung function improves oxygen intake to the brain. And any type of exercise can reduce the risk for many conditions, though exercise according to Harvard Health should not be extreme.
Eat healthy, adding fruits and vegetables to your diet and taking vitamin supplements. Some proposed studies have indicated that Vitamin E will help extend your memory.
Keep your mind active by taking classes – possibly pursuing an advanced degree because along with improving your brain power, you will improve your self-confidence. Learning a new hobby can also improve memory. Reading regularly,especially challenging material, will help you to increase your concentration, ultimately, making a positive memory difference.
Mayo Clinic also suggests socializing more often which will help improve listening skills along with cognition. Being able to carry on a conversation and keep track of the talk will improve memory issues.
Never alter the places you keep things. Once you get in the habit of having a designated spot for your keys or cell phone, you will not be frustrated with all the attempts of trying to find it.
Try to focus on one thing with fewer distractions. Take your time. Making a sandwich while talking to someone as you age may not be as easy as it used to be, leaving out the mayo once again. Awareness on the task at hand is key.
Write lists in a notebook, cue words, ideas that keep you connected. Sometimes just the art of writing it down even if you misplace the notebook will stimulate your memory. Post a notes, visual at all times…remembering to clock out for lunch at work, turning off your computer, will you help develop new habits. Some have been known to put post notes on the dashboard of their car as grocery reminders.
Take advantage of technology by setting reminders on your computer calendar, if you spend most of the time there. Use an alarm on your cell phone and do not switch off for other reminders even if it is to complete a daily task that you keep putting off.
Improving your memory is not impossible. Re-adjusting your life with healthy strategies will make all the difference.
