We’ve grown to accept memory lapses as a normal part of the aging process, but truth be told, we do have more control over our mental acuity than we’ve been led to believe. Making a few changes in your lifestyle and daily habits can help you to retain information and stay sharp long into your golden years!
For some, staying sharp is a problem at a young age, especially if distracted or under the influence of medication. But, at any age, you can take steps to address these problems to get the most out of your life, improve your performance in school or on the job, and make sounder decisions for you and your family. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Improve Your Diet – Back in the 1990s, eating no fat was all the rage. Luckily, this diet fad didn’t last too long, as we learned that the brain needs some fat to function. Getting the proper nutrition from the foods we eat and daily supplements to support brain function will stimulate blood circulation in the brain to support proper brain function. Limit coffee, tea and other stimulants, especially at night when they can rob you of a full night’s rest.
- Write it Down – One of the best ways to study for a test is to write down the questions and answers repeatedly until you memorize them. The act of writing information helps to reinforce the memory and create an association that has been shown to improve memory retention for people of all ages.
- Exercise Regularly – Exercising on a regular basis will help you sleep better at night and reduce stress. Stress can do a number on your memory and often makes it impossible to focus on the task at hand.
- Get at Least 6 Hours of Sleep – Poor sleeping habits will leave you tired and foggy the next day. Tired people aren’t sharp, can be forgetful and make a lot of mistakes. Sleeping without your cell phone in the bedroom to wake you up at night is a good start. You may find a sound machine helps tune out creaks in a wooden floor or late-night honks from a neighbor’s car. A comfortable pillow and mattress will go a long way in improving your sleep.
- Do Puzzles – Doing a crossword or sudoku puzzle daily is a great way to keep your reasoning abilities acute. Your brain, like your muscles, can go soft on you if you don’t use it. Puzzles give you an entertaining way to give your brain a workout.
If you notice you’re becoming forgetful, you don’t have to accept it as part of life. For starters, a visit to your general practitioner to rule out any hidden health issues is a smart move. Hormone fluctuations, especially in premenopausal women, can negatively impact memory. Hormone supplements can be helpful for some to balance out these irregularities, helping to improve focus and energy.
