I think that with our busy life styles and the fact that there are multiple ways to communicate and multiple devices that which can draw our attention we might feel very forgetful at times. But really how can we forget what we never really (REALLY) paid attention to? Sometimes I am on autopilot . . . my muscles can do things while I am not even paying much attention to the task. While I am brushing my teeth I might be thinking about what I am going to wear. While I am gathering my clothes, I could be thinking about the next task. While I am getting dressed I could be thinking about the Nia routine I am going to teach. I grab my phone and put it in my purse while I am thinking about something else. Then I step outside and wonder, “Do I have my phone?” Then I blame it on my memory. I FORGOT I grabbed it and stuck it in my purse. But I don’t always believe it is memory, I think it is more that I wasn’t paying attention to the fact that I put my phone in my purse. I really believe that so much multi-tasking makes us believe we have bad memories. Or the fact that we have so much on our minds already, makes us think we have bad memories. But whatever the case, I know that I don’t mind doing things thought to help our brains remember. There is advice out there on ways to improve your memory or prevent memory loss.
The Mayo Clinic has a list of seven things to help the memory. I bet you have heard them before, but . . . I also bet it doesn’t hurt to be reminded:
1-Stimulate your brain and memory by staying mentally active.
Reading, doing brain puzzles, driving a different route to a familiar place, or learning how to play a musical instrument are ways to keep that brain active. The idea would not necessarily be for you to play a concert or a recital, but the act of learning keeps that brain stimulated.
2-Being social not only helps your brain, but it can help stave off depression and stress. If you are lucky enough to be social with close friends then it is a huge benefit to your well-being.
3-Being organized is a great way to help keep the “I forget everything” feeling at bay. If you have a calendar to keep track of appointments and social events that helps you stay on track. Also if yourliving space is organized you won’t find yourself misplacing things. Certain things you use often or need on your way out should have a place; keys and wallet, for example. If you always put them in one spot you won’t wonder where they are when you are about to walk out the door.
Being organized can also help you focus as you will not be wondering around looking for your keys you will know exactly where they are and be able to be aware.
4-Getting enough good quality sleep. I believe sleep is good for so many things. This is the time that our body gets to rest from the go-go-go of the day. It is also a time where our mind, emotions, and self get to rest. We are bombarded all day long with so many things . . . it is nice to let our bodies rest.
5-Eating healthy food. Our bodies need nutrients to run properly so a healthy diet will help our brain function.
6-Exercising is also thought to help keep memory loss at bay. This is due to the fact that exercise helps so many systems. If your body is healthy this could contribute to a healthy brain/memory. If the physical activity you do is something that requires skill, then you are putting your brain to work and that could be a double whammy. If the exercise you do is something that you really like, then that could contribute to your mental well-being and that could be one way that exercise helps.
7-“Manage chronic conditions
Follow your doctor’s treatment recommendations for any chronic conditions, such as depression or kidney or thyroid problems. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be. In addition, review your medications with your doctor regularly. Various medications can impact memory.”
As you probably know, the brain is still a large mystery. Science learns more everyday, but the cause of memory loss and diseases like Alzheimer’s are still unknown. So they come up with a list of things we can do that they think might help.
And Yup, heard them before, right? But . . . how many of them do you do? Do you think that these things can perhaps help your memory?
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