7 Ways To Keep Your Memory Sharp At Any Age
This is a writeup on a recent article published by Harvard Health Publishing, entitled “7 ways to keep your memory sharp at any age”.
In this article, you’ll discover surprising ways to retain sharp memory using brain games that strengthen mental functioning.
As we grow older, we all start noticing some changes in our ability to remember things.
Maybe you’ve gone into the kitchen and can’t remember why. Maybe you can’t recall a familiar name during a conversation. You may even miss an appointment because it slipped your mind. Memory lapses can occur at any age. However, we tend to get more upset by these memory lapses as we get older because we fear that they are a sign of dementia, or loss of intellectual function. However, we should know that significant memory loss in older people isn’t a normal part of aging but is due to organic disorders, brain injury or neurological illness. Fear of Alzheimer’s the biggest fear we have.
Most of the fleeting memory problems that we experience with advancing age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. These chances can slow down certain cognitive processes (making it harder to learn new things quickly or eliminate distractions that can interfere with memory and learning). Yes, these changes can be frustrating and may seem far from benign when we attempt to learn new skills or juggle diverse responsibilities. Thanks to decades of research, however, there are various strategies that we can use to protect and sharpen our minds. Here are seven strategies you might try.
- Keep learning
A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age. According to experts, advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally active. It is believed that challenging your brain with mental exercise activates processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them. Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active. Pursuing a hobby or learning a new skill can function the same way. Read or join a book group; play chess or bridge; write your life story; do crossword or jigsaw puzzles; take a class; pursue music or art; design a new garden layout. Building and preserving brain connections is an ongoing process, therefore make lifelong learning a priority. - Use all your senses
The more senses you use in learning something, the more your brain will be involved in retaining the memory. In one study, adults were shown a series of emotionally neutral images, each presented along with a smell, and they were not instructed to remember what they saw. Later, they were shown a set of images, this time without odors, and asked to indicate which ones they’d seen before. They had excellent recall for all odor-paired pictures, especially those associated with pleasant smells. - Believe in yourself
Myths about aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and senior learners do worse on memory tasks when they’ve been exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and memory. They also do better when the messages about memory preservation into old age are positive. People who believe that they are not in control of their memory function are less likely to work at maintaining or improving their memory skills; therefore, they are more likely to experience cognitive decline. It’s a vicious circle. If you believe you can improve and you translate that belief into practice, you have a better chance of keeping your mind sharp. - Economize your brain use
If you don’t need to use mental energy remembering where you placed your keys or the time of your granddaughter’s birthday party, you’ll be better able to concentrate on learning and remembering important things. Take advantage of calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders and address books to keep routine information accessible. Designate a place at home for your glasses, purse, keys, and other items you use often. Remove clutter from your office or home to minimize distractions. That way, you’ll be able to focus on new information that you want to remember. - Repeat what you want to know
When you want to remember something you’ve just heard, read or thought, repeat it out loud or write it down. In this way, the memory or connection will be reinforced. If you place one of your belongings somewhere other than its usual spot, tell yourself out loud what you’ve done, and don’t hesitate to ask for information to be repeated. - Space it out
Repetition is most potent as a learning tool when it’s properly timed. Instead of contant repetition, re-study the essentials after increasingly longer periods of time (once an hour, then every few hours, then every day). Spacing out periods of study is particularly valuable when you’re trying to master complicated information (for example, the details of a new work assignment). Research shows that spaced rehearsal improves recall, not only in healthy people but also in those with certain physically based cognitive problems (such as those associated with multiple sclerosis). - Make a mnemonic
This is a creative way to remember lists: Mnemonic devices can take the form of acronyms (such as RICE, to remember first-aid advice for injured limbs: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Or sentences (such as “Every good boy does fine” to remember the musical notes E, G, B, D and F, on the lines of the treble clef.
We hope you have enjoyed our writeup on “7 Ways To Keep Your Memory Sharp As You Age”. Please try some of these suggestions and get back to us with your comments.
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