Cognitive decline, or in other words memory loss, is the most common problem faced by the elderly. Memory loss is not only devastating for the person affected, but for family and friends as well. Keep reading for advice on making the most of your memory.
Associating newly-learned information with mnemonics helps improve retention of that information. Consider this analogy: Mnemonic devices relate to memory much like quick, shorthand writing is used by writers. You associate memories with pre-arranged symbolic maps, which makes retrieving the memory much easier.
Using your brain frequently and in interesting ways keeps it limber, just like exercising the muscles every day keeps them in top shape. Research has documented that puzzle playing wards off senility.
Play games of memory to keep your skills sharp. These games are engaging and entertaining and have the added benefit of improving your long-term memory. In addition to improving memory, these fun games can improve your attention and concentration as well. You can play many memory games for free online.
Make sure you are getting an adequate amount of sleep. Getting enough sleep at night can greatly impact your long and short-term memory. If you feel tired, remembering anything will seem difficult. To assist your memory, you should consider sleeping more at night.
Stay socially active to keep your memory healthy. This will help you stay alert and happy. Don’t let yourself get isolated and depressed. Your brain needs stimulation to work properly; depression, sadness and loneliness stop your brain from receiving that stimulation. If you have stimulating conversation with your friends, this helps give you a strong mind, which leads you to better memorization.
If you must remember something, try to associate it with a funny song, mental image, or phrase. Utilizing humorous elements in order to enliven the information will help you remember it down the road.
For in-depth knowledge about memory loss, look no further than your local bookstore or library. Many psychiatrist have written books on bettering mind function and memory, so these could help you enhance your own ability to remember.
Retelling stories to someone else can be a great way to increase your own memory skills. An example of this would be a person forgetting how they taught their grandson to swim. If the person tells more people the story, they will remember what happened much easier. That will reinforce it in your mind, and make it harder to forget.
You should always be learning, even if you’re well out of school. If you fail to acquire new types of knowledge, the portion of your brain that governs memory may begin to atrophy. So, if a time comes that you are required to remember new things, you may find that it is much harder to do so.
Eat foods that help your brain perform better. Healthy fats are important for brain health. Make sure you add fish, nuts, and oils into your diet. Eliminate trans fats from your diet.
Most of us fear losing our memory as we get older. While it is both unfortunate and sad, it is also natural. It is often possible to stop or slow this loss with the right strategies. This article attempts to provide some tips for anyone reading, so they can learn how to stave off memory loss.
