subject: Five Ways You Can Improve Your Memory [print this page] Tips On How To Improve Your Memory And Prevent Memory Loss
Are you worried about memory loss? Do you forget names? Do you search for your car keys? Mobile phone? Take heart, you are not alone. Forgetfulness happens to everyone occasionally. However, you should not take it lightly. A few steps that you can adopt to improve your memory and also negate memory loss are discussed in this article. There are no guarantees that dementia or memory loss can be prevented if you follow these steps, but it can help if you take proper care.
Here are five ways in which you can improve your memory:
Make use of memory techniques.
Chunking is a very popular memory technique. It involves breaking up information into smaller packets which makes it easier to remember. For example, you can break down a telephone number into smaller batches of numbers. Another memory technique is self-reference. In this method, you refer new information to yourself. For example, if you are introduced to a person by name called Bob, think of other people you know who have the same name.
Acquire new mental skills.
Learning a new language, to play an instrument, challenging your brain by trying to solve crossword puzzles and Sudoku, etc., all contribute to improving the physiological functioning of your brain. This in turn keeps your memory sharp.
Keep things in specific places.
If you can develop a habit of placing things such as car keys, spectacles, television remote control, etc., in specific places, it will be of great help to you in improving your memory power. The key aspect here is that the place where you keep your things must be the same each and every time.
Play video games to exercise your brain.
Video games are not meant to be played by children alone. Anyone can play video games, especially with a view to improve mental agility. In fact, studies have shown that playing video games is good for mental health.
Develop the habit of making lists and taking notes.
Making lists and taking notes can organize your thoughts to a great extent. However, you have to be careful not to overdo it. You must leave room for your brain to do some amount of work. You will have a great sense of accomplishment if you just remember to do something without making a list, but wherever a list is essential, say a grocery shopping list, it is important that you have it with you. Studies indicate that making a grocery list can save you money and help you cut down on impulsive buying.
This is not an exhaustive list of things that you can do to improve your memory power. However, doing these exercises alone may not be sufficient to negate memory loss. There are a few other aspects discussed below that also need to be considered.
Exercise.
Make it a habit to exercise every day. It is one of the sure fire methods to negate memory loss. It is more helpful if the exercise that you involve in is aerobic in nature. According to studies, people who engaged in moderate walking exercises a few times in a week outperformed couch potatoes after about six months. Exercise improves blood flow to the brain, reduces stress levels and enables you to sleep well. All these contribute to preventing memory loss as a part of aging.
Diet.
Experts are of the opinion that you should have a balanced diet to negate the impact of memory loss. There should be at least five to seven servings of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. This helps to ward off the effect of free radicals on the brain cells. However, it is easier said than done. It is nearly impossible to find wholesome food these days and work pressure forces you to rely heavily on processed food. Under these circumstances, it is important that you take to using high quality natural and organic supplements to ensure that your body gets a daily supply of antioxidants.
Sleep.
Adequate amount of rest is essential for healthy cognitive performance. You must get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night. Sleep relaxes the mind and the body, and lowers the levels of stress hormones in your body.
Socialization.
Social interactions help to ward off stress and depression that can contribute to memory loss. Never say no to an opportunity to get together with your friends or loved ones and others. You should never decline an invitation to share a meal or attend an event.
Summarizing, there are many ways in which you can improve your memory or negate memory loss. These are just some of the simpler techniques that you can apply and enjoy a better cognitive performance.
Try this bedtime drink to help you get a good nights sleep ---
A mug of hot milk,add a spoonful of honey and a dash of dark rum.
