You can grow old without losing your mind
If you constantly forget where you put your car keys, can't remember the word you want to say or forget an acquaintance's name, it's probably time to do something about it. While not all memory lapses can be considered as a serious cause for concern, you should still do something to improve the situation. So, what are the best ways to sharpen your memory? Here are some tips that may help you:
Stay active. One way to stop memory loss from progressing is to stay active – both physically and mentally. Studies show that adopting a regular moderate exercise routine can keep you mentally strong [3]. For healthy adults, doing 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activities or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activities per week may prove to be sufficient to keep their brains functioning properly.
In addition, doing mentally stimulating activities such as reading, solving word puzzles or playing Sudoku also helps keep cognitive decline at bay.
Mind what you eat. A healthy diet plays an important role in keeping your mental faculties sharp. So, load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and omega-3 rich fatty fish such as salmon and sardines. Keep in mind that a heart-healthy diet can also be good for the brain.
Drink up. For best results, drink enough water throughout the day. Studies also indicate that seniors who are showing early signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease [4] should enjoy a glass of wine to slow down the progression of their condition.
Adopt some effective memory tricks. If you often misplace small items such as your car keys or your eyeglasses, try tracing your actions backward. If you find yourself forgetting the words you want to say, try repeating them verbally or jot them down. If you notice that you are constantly forgetting details of events that happened in the past or tend to forget entire events altogether, try recalling your memories on a regular basis. You get the idea.
Focus. Don't let distractions cloud your memory. Focus on the information you want to remember.
Socialize. You may not know it but depression and stress can negatively affect your mental acuity. So, start spending more time with the ones you love. It will do you a lot of good.
Take time to relax. Research shows that seniors who have higher levels of cortisol in their blood have smaller hippocampus, the area in the brain responsible for some aspects of memory. As a result, these people experience more memory lapses.
Follow these suggestions and you can surely keep your memory sharp as you age.