Why You Might Be Forgetful
By Sara Butler
Have you ever walked into a room only to forget the reason you went there in the first place? Yeah – it happens. Forgetfulness can rear its ugly head in many different situations and sometimes it can be worrisome. Forgetfulness can be very normal every once in a while, but if you find yourself forgetting things several times a day then you might need to look a little deeper. Chronic forgetfulness doesn’t mean you are developing something serious such as Alzheimer’s disease but instead are being impacted by something quite common. If you can pinpoint the reason behind your forgetfulness then maybe you can make some changes that will make your mind the steel trap it once was. Here are a few reasons why you may be becoming forgetful.
Depression
If you’re in a funk, then it can be hard to focus, and that makes recall later that much more difficult. Researchers have theorized that depression can reshape parts of your brain, impacting the size and function of the regions of the brain used in skills such as thinking, attention, problem-solving and memory.
Tension and Stress
If you’re constantly stressed out, then it can have an impact on your memory. Stress distracts your brain, which is why if you’re stressed you may have a hard time being present in conversations with your friends or coworkers and are plagued by racing thoughts. Chronic stress can be even worse for your memory since it exposes your brain to hormones that can impact the way it works.
If you have too much going on and you’re not handling it well by staying up too late, skipping exercise and not eating right then it can have a big impact on your memory and increase your forgetfulness.
You’re Tired
Even if you’re in bed for 8 hours a night, if you’re not actually getting good quality rest then it’s not doing you as much good as it could. Researchers have found that people who don’t get enough deep sleep have issues with memory. If this sounds like you, then taking a quick power nap might help to give your memory a boost in the right direction.
If you’re feeling really tired despite a nap, you might want to go get it checked out at the doctor. Sleep apnea can deprive your brain of oxygen as you sleep and can have a big impact over time on your thinking abilities and memory.
If you are having issues remembering things, try to look a little deeper to find out why. Simple changes can make a big difference!
