Retaining And Improving your memory as you age

Age takes a toll on all of us. You get to a point where your memory simply isn’t what it used to be. Things that would previously come as second nature start slowly slipping away into the distant recesses of your mind, and it only gets progressively worse. While there is precious little you can do about aging, there is so much you can do to keep your memory fresh even as you age. It’s all about the simple things you do every day, and below is a look at some;

1. Make life a learning process

People become rusty because they simply stop learning. Remember that you haven’t been in school for decades, so forgetting the core concepts of life and living is okay. However, you can roll back the years by keeping an active reading schedule. Decide on what you want to read every week, whether you are exploring new information or rereading old books to remind yourself of specific facts.

You should try to learn new things regularly as it is not good for your brain if you go on doing what you used to do in routine. You must do some unusual and new activities in which you are not comfortable already. So, you should learn new things and develop new skills to make your brain stronger.

2. Have a schedule

Our lives slip into a casual stream of forgetfulness because we do not have a plan to live from day-to-day. If you establish a routine for each day and occupy each hour of your life with simple activities, your mind will stay sharp. You won’t forget where you kept your reading glasses or the last book you were reading if you have planners and organizers around the home. Calendars are one way of keeping track of things. Planning apps are also a great bet. When you have a schedule, you are forced to remember what you need to be doing at specific times, and your mind stays sharp and focused.

3. Use your 6 senses

Challenge your senses into interpreting everything around you. For example, when you hear a smell, try to remember what that smell is associated with and what it means. If you taste something, think about the things that taste like what is in your mouth and jog your mind into remembering everything you associate with that taste. Exercising your senses allow you to tap into a wealth of information, you never knew you could remember, and that keeps you sharp.

4. Adopt a healthy routine

A healthy routine and your clarity of mind. To stay sharp, fall into a routine. Do specific things at specific times in the day. If you start jogging at 8 in the morning every day, make it a habit and do it every day at the same time. Take a short nap each afternoon and get the right amount of sleep every night. Make your sleeping hours consistent from day-to-day.

5. Eat lots of brain food

Turmeric, salmon, cauliflower, chocolate, berries, and broccoli are just a few of the so-called brain foods. This class of foods is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, and these ingredients work to keep your mind fresh and clear.

6. Write it down

Writing is a great exercise of the mind. Keep a notebook and scribble nuggets of information from time to time. The act of writing actually helps imprint some ideas onto your brain, and that promotes memory and retention. Keep a notebook also has the added advantage that you can always go back to your notes and remind yourself of something you forgot.

7. Get out there and socialize

Experts believe that as we age, the stress and depression we go through becomes a cause for memory loss. As you age, you may find yourself becoming increasingly isolated, and this is how depression sets in. Ward this off by interacting with people in public places and meetings. Find opportunities to be together with the people you love and stay active in your community.

8. Do New Things

When you seek out new challenges, your brain will have to focus on these activities, which build more neurons and reactivate neurons where they overlap with existing knowledge. However, you will have to do new things regularly to keep your brain busy. So, when you try to learn new things and do mentally challenging things regularly, this will help in improving your memory.

Conclusion

Age-related memory loss is a huge problem among senior citizens. This is compounded by the fact that most of us really don’t take the initiative to stave the slide. The good news, however, is that with a few simple and creative changes in the way you live and function, things can turn around. Always remember to keep those you love around you, and invest in the pursuit of knowledge even as you age.