Three Things That Change Memory

By Randi Morse

Your spouse messages you while you're at work and says that you need to pick up milk, eggs, green beans, and carrots on the way home. You head to the store but find that it's closed, so you drive to a new market and go inside. Once inside you realize that you have completely forgotten everything that you need. Why did you forget such a simple list? Is your bad memory a symptom of a more serious problem?

The Frontal Lobes

In order to understand why your brain may be messing up, you need to understand how memory works. The brain divides memory up into two components. One section helps to keep verbal information inside of your mind by repeating the information over and over, while the other side processes spatial information, like trying to figure out the fastest route to get home. The working memory activates the prefrontal cortex. These are the lobes of the brain that sit directly behind your forehead. The left side of the prefrontal cortex is more involved with the repetition of verbal information, while the right side is more active with helping you follow a route. 

Three Things

There have been a number of studies done which show that there are three big things that affect memory: sleep, mood, and age. One study found that bad sleep quality, when combined with a depressed mood, can hugely impact your ability to remember things. 

Better Memory

How can you improve your memory? There are a few things you can do which have been found to be extremely helpful. First, get a routine sleep schedule. This means making sure that you get sleep on a regular basis and that you get the same amount of sleep each night. Next, make sure you keep track of any depressive symptoms you may have. Depression can seriously alter your brain's ability to retain knowledge; when combined with lack of sleep, it can make remembering things almost impossible. If you are struggling with depression, speak with your physician about your situation and look into solutions such as therapy or alternative medicine. Finally, don't beat yourself up if you are struggling with your memory. It is very likely that your situation is only temporary. The more stressed you get about your lack of memory, the worse the situation will become. 

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Grand Prairie, Tex.