Maybe you've gone into the kitchen and can't remember why, or can't recall a familiar name during a conversation. You may even miss an appointment because it slipped your mind. Memory lapses can occur at any age, but we tend to get more upset by them as we get older because we fear they're a sign of dementia, or loss of intellectual function. The fact is, significant memory loss in older people isn't a normal part of aging—but is due to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness, with Alzheimer's being among the most feared.
Most of the temporary memory issues we have as we age are a result of normal changes to the brain's structure and function. These modifications may impede some cognitive functions, making it a little more difficult to pick up new information quickly or block out distractions that might affect memory and learning. Granted, when we have to pick up new abilities or juggle a lot of responsibilities, these changes can be difficult and appear far from benign. There are several methods we may employ to safeguard and hone our thoughts now that decades of research have been done on the subject. Here are seven you can give a shot.
Begin practicing.
Higher levels of education are linked to greater mental health as people age. According to experts, further education may maintain memory sharp by instilling the habit of mental activity in individuals. Mental exercise is thought to engage mechanisms that promote both the maintenance of individual brain cells and the communication between them. Many people work in occupations that keep them mentally engaged, but developing a hobby or picking up a new skill can also serve this purpose. Read, take a class, participate in a book club, play chess or bridge, write your life narrative, do crossword or jigsaw puzzles, join a puzzle group, explore music or art, or create a new garden design. Offer to take on or volunteer for a skill-based project at work.
Start making use of every sense.
Your brain will be involved in keeping the memory to a greater extent the more senses you employ to learn anything. In one study, participants were exposed to a sequence of neutrally emotive visuals, each accompanied by a scent. They weren't prompted to recall what they have seen. Later, participants were shown a set of pictures without any smells and asked to say which ones they had already seen. They demonstrated exceptional memory for all odor-paired images, but particularly for those connected to odors that were pleasant. Even though the smells were gone, and the subjects hadn't tried, brain imaging revealed that when people saw objects that were initially connected with odors, the triform cortex, the brain's primary odor-processing region, became active.
Cultivate faith in yourself.
Myths about aging may be a factor in deteriorating memory. When given messages that are unfavorable to aging and memory, middle-aged and older students perform worse on memory tasks than when they are given messages that are supportive of memory retention into old age. People who think they have no control over their memory are less inclined to work on preserving or enhancing their memory abilities, which increases their risk of cognitive decline. You have a better chance of maintaining mental acuity if you believe you can get better and put that idea into action.
Lessen brain activity.
You'll be better able to concentrate on learning and remembering new and essential things if you don't have to invest mental energy trying to recall where you put your keys or when your granddaughter's birthday party is. Use address books, calendars, shopping lists, file folders, and other organizational tools to keep routine information accessible. Your glasses, pocketbook, keys, and other frequently used goods should all have a designated spot at home. To reduce distractions and increase your ability to concentrate on new information that you want to remember, get rid of clutter from your house or office.
Do it again if you want to know.
Recite it aloud or jot it down when you want to recall what you've just heard, read, or thought about. In this manner, the memory or connection is strengthened. So, John, where did you meet Camille? An example of how you could utilize someone's name when speaking with them. Tell yourself aloud what you've done if you place one of your possessions somewhere other than its customary location. And don't be afraid to ask for clarification when necessary.
You must be logged in to post a comment.