As we age, many of us have ‘senior moments.’ These include forgetting a person’s name, not knowing where you put your keys, or why you just walked into a room. It is possible to ward off more memory loss in the future. Here are some tricks to help keep your mind sharp.
Learn Something New
The old saying, “use it or lose it” holds true when it comes to our brain. The more we learn, the better our brain will be able to process and recall information. Teach yourself a challenging new skill. Choose one you can build on over time, tackling different levels of difficulty as you grow.
Physical Exercise
Regular physical activity increases oxygen to our brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss. Try aerobic exercise; activities that require hand-eye coordination; or exercise breaks to ward off brain fatigue.
Get Enough Sleep
Most adults need between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Sleep is critical to learning and memory. Get on a regular sleep schedule, even on weekends.
Eat Right
A healthy diet can improve memory. Focus on eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains,” healthy” fats, and lean protein. Stay away from foods high in saturated fat.
Brain Games
Bingo, chess, crossword or jigsaw puzzles, and trivia quizzes can all help improve brain power. Stimulating the brain with games helps people connect socially, sharpen their thinking skills, and have a sense of control.
Stay Organized
Be sure to stay organized. Keep track of tasks, appointments and other events in a notebook, planner or calendar. Keep to-do lists up to date. Pick a permanent spot to keep your wallet, glasses and keys.
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