As you age, it’s common to find your memory not as sharp as it once may have been. How can you keep your mind sharp as you age? Keep reading to find out which methods you can use to improve your memory.
Brain teasers and puzzles are entertaining and effective tools for sharpening your memory and challenging your brain. This concept is much like the way athletes exercise to keep their muscles in shape. Regular mental exercise can result in improved memory and the increased ability to concentrate and focus. There is a diversity of games that are mentally stimulating. Among the best are word games, like word search and crossword puzzles.
If you’re looking for a way to remember things, writing them down is easy and effective. Writing things out can stimulate the brain, and bring blood to critical areas that are responsible for memory. Improve your memory by writing out lists or keeping a journal. When the time comes for you to recall things, you will find it easier to remember thing that you have written down.
To keep your memory at its best, purge negative and unpleasant thoughts from your mind. Studies have shown that stress and negative thoughts hinder the memory. Consult a professional for stress relief advice.
Think of your brain as a muscle you need to exercise to remember things. You can improve brain function and potentially stop your brain from degenerating with age if you challenge your brain with puzzles.
Brain Healthy
One of the most beneficial things you can do for your memory is exercising. The increased blood and oxygen flow to your brain will help to keep your brain healthy. Keeping your body healthy will keep your brain healthy, and keeping your brain healthy will keep your memory healthy. Exercising regularly will also reduce your risk of developing conditions, such as diabetes, which research has shown to effect your memory negatively.
Make sure you allow time to get enough quality sleep each night. Sleep greatly affects both your short-term and long-term memory. If you feel tired, remembering anything will seem difficult. You could try getting more sleep during the night to improve your memory.
Find ways to incorporate fish oil into your regular diet. If you have difficulty retaining information, you might be deficient in Omega 3 fatty acids. Try adding it to your diet in the form of a pill.
If you’re studying, one of the things that you could do to improve memory is switching to a different area as you study. A fresh new location will make your mind feel refreshed, and give your long-term memory a boost. You will jog your brain awake once it notices your location change, and once awake, your brain will be able to more effectively process information into memories.
If you need to be able to recall and remember something, try incorporating it into a humorous song, image or mnemonic phrase. When things are more funny and information is easier to handle, you will have a better time.
A helpful strategy to boost your memory of information is to visualize the concepts that you want to be able to memorize and recall. When you are trying to remember information in a textbook, it can help to use photos and charts to retain what you are studying. You can also draw your own charts or graphs to help aid in the memory process.
Something as simple as doubting yourself can have a huge negative impact on your ability to remember. A lot of people assume that with age, your memory goes as well. However, this is not always the case. You can actually cause damage to your memory by anticipating memory loss. When people begin to doubt your mental acuity, it becomes easier to believe that about yourself. Simply maintaining confidence in your ability to remember things can have a tremendous positive effect.
Use organizers, planners and calendars. Purchase a planner and keep your appointments and to-do lists jotted down in it. Make a schedule and look at it often. Putting things down on paper, and then reading it helps the mind. Plus, if you can’t remember something one day, you’ll always have it written down. You won’t overwork your brain trying to recall lost information.
Repeat new information out loud. When you are introduced to a person, repeat their name out loud if you can. By hearing their name spoken, you are more likely to recall it at another time. Find a way to sneak your repeat of the information into casual conversation, it does not need to be obvious you are practicing a memory trick.
To help improve memory function and brain elasticity, try meditation. Not only is meditation great for improving memory, it is also a great stress reliever and an overall health booster. Meditate in a comfortable, calm area, and concentrate as you clear your thoughts while breathing deeply. For maximum results, you should try to meditate from 30 minutes to one full hour daily.
Classical music is soothing for your brain and body, and this can help you improve your memory. Music that is calming eases stress, and allows you to focus more clearly on the matter at hand. A great time to use this kind of music is during relaxing baths, with scented candles burning on the side.
Memory failure is frustrating, but it can be overcome. Try some of the effective advice in this article and watch your memory improve. By putting in a little time, you may develop the best memory you have ever had in your life.