Improve Your Memory With These Tips
By Paul Rothbart
A good memory is a nice thing to have. Work, household chores, and even hobbies can be easier and more fun when you can remember things. Memories of your life experiences are especially nice to hold onto. Sure, there are photographs, videos, and mementoes, but a memory is stored in your brain. You can recall the experience as it affected all five senses. It can be like reliving it. Memory tends to fade over time. Some people have better memories than others and some experience progressive memory loss as they age. There are ways to naturally improve memory and slow the effects of aging. Here are some tips to keep your memory sharp.
Challenge Your Brain
Your brain is similar to your muscles in that the more you use it, the stronger it becomes. Just as your muscles need to be challenged to grow, so does the brain. Puzzles of all kinds are excellent for this. Jigsaws, crosswords, and sudokus are very good at challenging the brain. Logic problems and anything that requires planning ahead, like chess or Tetris, are especially good. Learning new skills like another language or playing a musical instrument improve memory and cognitive function, as well as teach you something useful and fun. Choose an activity that appeals to you and do it regularly.
Get Enough Exercise
An abundance of research exists that demonstrates the link between the body and the mind. Strengthening one benefits the other. Exercise improves circulation and better blood flow helps cognitive function and memory. Research involving 144 people from late teens to early 90s found that a moderate 15-minute ride on a stationary bike improved both memory and cognitive function across the entire group.
Fish Oil Supplements
Fish oil contains generous amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. These omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to have many health benefits including slowing down the decline of mental capacity. In a study of 36 seniors with mild cognitive issues, researchers found a significant improvement in the scores of both short-term and working memory tests after ingesting a fish oil supplement. If you like seafood, adding more fish to your diet will provide the same boost. Salmon is delicious and a very good source of omega-3s.
Perhaps the most valuable of our possessions is our memories. The thoughts of good times with loved ones can sustain us through the difficult periods. As we age, recalling the experiences of a lifetime is comforting and reaffirming. Then there is the practical aspect of remembering things that make day-to-day living easier. Follow these tips to help keep your memory sharp as you become not older but wiser.
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