Improve Your Memory
Memory is key to retaining independence as you age!
Don't let Your Memory Be Erased!
We have all heard the stories of the exercise and nutrition gurus who lived highly self-disciplined lives, religiously avoiding excess, counting carbohydrates and adhering to daily exercise routines including jogging, weights and cardiovascular workouts, only to drop dead in the apparent height of personal fitness for having overlooked just one critical health factor. Keeping healthy brain function and memory is a critical health factor that can be easily overlooked as life issues compete for our time- yet at the end of the day- Retaining memory is essential to retaining independence!
Imagine a life of hard work, raising a family, excelling in career, making and keeping friends and relationships, managing finances and checkbooks, planning and saving for retirement, only to lose all independence because accomplishing the tasks of daily living such as balancing a checkbook are impossible without short term and long term memory. The health of mind is as important as body. It is easy to forget how important it is to remember.
For some people, Drugs (under the guidance of a doctor, of course) may help sustain and improve memory. For more information, Ask a Doctor now, or consult our Memory Care Directory for professionals specializing in memory care support.
Nine Simple Steps to Sustain, Stimulate and Improve Memory
1. Exercise. Walk Twenty Minutes each and every day! It’s official- walking twenty minutes every day has been shown to improve memory, with memory improvement lasting as much as 18 months! Walking 20 minutes a day may even delay onset of Alzheimer’s in those diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment!
People who exercise regularly often stay mentally sharp into their 70s and 80s. A six-year study of 1,740 adults ages 65 and older, reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that people who exercised more than three times a week had a lower risk of dementia than those who did not exercise.
Exercise helps cognitive functioning essential to memory by sending increased oxygen to the brain. It may even increase connections between brain cells and improve neurotransmitter functioning. Exercise can also reduce the risk for diseases that can lead to memory problems, such as diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and stroke. So exercise as much as you can, and make sure to walk at least 20 minutes each day!
2. Eat right. And don’t forget to include antioxidants like BLUEBERRIES and SPINACH! Scientists investigating how nutrition impacts memory have discovered that antioxidant properties in fruits and vegetables impact memory and retention. In new research findings by the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston, it was learned that spinach was the most potent protector of long term memory, when compared with strawberry extract and Vitamin E, in rats.
Other interesting results of the USDA have noted that doubling the intake of fruits and vegetables per day will increase antioxidant values in blood plasma. Eating more fruits and vegetables could potentially boost antioxidant values and resulted in better cognitive functioning and improved memory. Learn which fruits and vegetables have the greatest antioxidant properties to fight memory loss.
3. Consider Nutritional Supplements
We have done the research for you, and stay on top of late breaking research results. For the latest information on fish oils, Vitamin B (no it doesn’t work) and Phosphidatyl Serine with DHA (according to the anecdotal reports, and the experience of our own Ph.D psychologist friends who have used it themselves and with their own families, yes it does!) In choosing memory supplements, we recommend Memory Supplements Made in the USA under the guidance of professional biochemists and nutritionalists.
memory drinks
4. Reduce Stress!
Memory problems are often related to or exacerbated by stress and depression. Have you considered taking a vacation?? Music can reduce stress, increase relaxation and ease depression.
Likewise, creating a journal or memory book, painting, or doing anything creative can help you relax. Exercise can reduce stress, too! If your stress seems unmanageable, get some TLC support in the TLC Chat Forum for memory loss and caregiver support.
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5. Enjoy Music and Art
Engaging in creative activities stimulate brain function. Some research has concluded that music, especially classical, enhances the storage and recall of memory. “The Mozart Effect” was much touted after a study indicated that classical music improved memory. Since then, the results of studies attempting to replicate these results have been conflicting. Although the results are mixed, it is clear that music, like art, evokes emotion and stimulates parts of the brain. And keeping the brain active is essential to sustaining optimal cognitive functioning.
For Caregivers: Some studies have demonstrated that music enhances the memory of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Music Therapy is often used with Alzheimer’s patients to reduce difficult behavioral symptoms of the disease, such as agitation, cursing, and wandering. Click here for music to improve memory.
It's Your Story and You're Sticking To It!!
6. Create a Journal!
Did you know that one of the best activities to stimulate memory and recall is writing a journal? This activity opens the “filing cabinet” of your brain. “Forty and Fifty-Somethings” in the work place, and the sandwich generation of caregivers often feel “mentally exhausted” and “less sharp” than they used to be. Achieve stress reduction, stimulation of neural processing, and better recall through daily journaling.
Individuals experiencing mild cognitive impairment can achieve stress reduction, stimulation of neural processing, and better recall by exercising the mind in the context of writing their own life story.
Families and caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s and Senile Dementia can find joy and preserve family memories as they engage together in creating a pictorial and written memoir with their loved one. This activity will activate and stimulate the neural functioning and memory of their loved one, even as it creates warmth, laughter and wonderful new memories for all. Check out these tips on How to journal.
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You are never too old to LEARN!
7. Learn, Learn, Learn
Use it or Lose it. Continuous learning is the single best key to your memory retention. WhatsYourNameAgain.com is committed to providing you with the BEST information and research as it happens! Each day we study and bring to you the day’s best of the best in memory care info releases, drawing upon timely information provided by:
- MedlinePlus
- The U.S. National Institute of Health and Aging
- The American Association of Retired Persons-AARP®
- The Alzheimer’s Association
- USDA Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
Use it or Lose it. Studies have proven that it is so.
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8. Stay Happy and Find and Keep a Sense of Purpose
We are all most happy when giving to and interacting with our families, friends and our world. We all have experiences and opportunities to make our lives full of positive impact, memory problems or not. And the funny thing is, helping and interacting with others can help us stay cognitively sound, too. Memory problems do not diminish ability to add value to the world. Stay happy with purpose and meaning. Click here for ways to Make A Difference.
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9. Play Games & Brain Exercises to Improve Memory and Cognitive Functioning
Have fun while learning and improving your memory! Try the items in the Free Stuff category on the gold toolbar to the left, including the memory tests, and memory games. These items are continuously updated with new tools to help you improve your memory, and/or the memory of someone you love.
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Make a Commitment to Yourself or Someone You Love:
Sequentially Tackle the 9 Simple Steps to Improve Memory!
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Have you tackled the nine steps to improve memory? There is more you can do to fight memory impairment! Click here for health steps you must take to protect your mind and prevent memory loss.
