You don't have to accept memory loss as a "normal" part of ageing!
Although difficulties with memory are certainly more common as we age and can also be a result of being overworked and stressed out, we don't have to idly stand by and accept it. No matter what your age or how busy your schedule is, you can keep your memory sharp by taking some easy steps like these:
1. Strike the Right Balance - The most obvious but still crucially important tip for overall brain health is getting the right amount of rest. When we are sleep deprived, not only is our ability to retain and recall information comprised but also our abilities to think critically, solve problems and be creative.
On the other hand, proper exercise also increases oxygen to the brain and prevents diseases that can potentially lead to memory loss. So get up and take a walk, go for a run or do something aerobic that will get your heart pumping!
2. Manage Your Stress - As an increasing number of studies are done on the effects stress has on our bodies and it is becoming clearer everyday just how important it is for us to manage our stress. Besides leading to a host of different diseases, chronic stress that is left unchecked can destroy brain cells and damage the hippocampus, the part of the brain that forms and retrieves memories.
Practicing meditation regularly improves focus and concentration, increases creativity and increases mental sharpness including the ability to create and retain memories.
3. Fill Up on Good Fuel - Eating a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats will protect your brain cells from damage and lower your risk for dementia and cognitive impairment. Foods that are rich in Omega-3's are particularly good for boosting brain health and preventing diseases like Alzheimer's.
Some great sources of Omega-3's include fatty fish that live in cold water such as salmon, tuna and trout. Spinach, broccoli and many nuts, seeds and beans such as walnuts, pinto beans, pumpkin seeds and soybeans are also rich in Omega-3's.
4. Take Your Vitamins - Most people have heard that the supplement, Ginkgo Biloba, is beneficial for brain and memory health but that's not the only one. Vitamins B & D can also be helpful in fending off memory loss, as is Ginseng.
For those that don't enjoy eating fish or beans and nuts, fish oil supplements are a great alternative that will still help you to get your omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Engage Your Brain - No matter how busy your everyday schedule is, taking the time to "exercise" your brain needs to be a priority. That doesn't mean you have to start doing crossword puzzles if you don't like them. Anything that keeps your brain challenged and stimulated can increase your memory's abilities.
Play cards or a board game, take a new route to work, visit museums or learn how to speak a new language or write with your opposite hand are all great ways to challenge your brain and keep your mind and memory sharp!
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