Small changes in your lifestyle can help reduce your chances of memory loss. Memory tends to diminish with age. These are a few tips on how to prevent memory loss affecting your life.
- Diet
- The type of food you eat is a crucial player in your memory
- Fresh vegetables and healthy fats (ie: coconut oil) are essential
- AVOID sugar and grain carbohydrates
- Exercise
- One study showed that people who exercised were actually growing and expanding brain memory center 1-2% per year
- Moderate intensity exercise 3-4 times a week for 30 minutes is very beneficial
- Play Brain Games
- Need to challenge your brain with new and surprising information otherwise it will begin to deteriorate
- Computer-based brain-training games can sharpen a range of skills from reading and comprehension to improved memorization.
- Best to invest at least 20 minutes a day but no more than 5-7 minutes on a specific task
- Sleep
- Sleep is known to enhance your memories
- Sleeping only 4-6 hours can greatly impact your ability to think clearly the next day
- Mnemonic Devices
- Can be a useful memory tool to help remember words, information or concepts since it organizes information into an easy-to-remember format
- Useful methods are acronyms, visualizations, rhymes and/or chunking information
- Master a New Skill
- Similar to playing brain games the stimulation of the neurological system may reverse functional decline
- The key is to find an activity or skill that is mentally stimulating for you.
- Stop Multitasking
- Ultimately multitasking can actually slow you which can make you prone to errors and forgetful
- You need 8 seconds to commit something to memory
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your memory call us today for a free consultation with Dr. Miller!