Best Ways To Potentially Keep Your Memory Sharp

Whether you're simply forgetful or noticing that your memory isn't as good as it once was, memory loss affects all ages. From forgetting your keys to what you went into the kitchen for, it happens to the best of us. Yet, as we age, these lapses can become more apparent.

Thankfully, there are various supplements, mind-training games, and activities we can turn to ensure our minds stay sharp and focused. Read on to discover more.

1. Take Supplements

If you lack vitamins or minerals and cannot get them from food, supplements are a prevalent alternative. But did you know certain herbs assist in boosting our brain power? Adding ginkgo biloba to your diet is a surefire way to improve memory function. How? This antioxidant opens blood vessels, heightens blood circulation, and makes blood less gloopy.

2. Embrace Your Senses

Training your brain doesn't solely involve training your mind. It embraces all your senses. When we use our brain and senses, we are more likely to retain the memory. This is called brain imaging.

Try something new, such as painting or ceramics, to continue to challenge your senses in everyday life. The feeling of the clay or paintbrush in your hand and how it moves will encourage your brain and senses to engage. Another way to engage the piriform cortex? Whether homemade or in a restaurant, try to decipher the ingredients in a new dish through taste and smell alone.

3. Never Stop Learning

Our brains are like car engines; when we give them fuel, they perform better. Think of learning a new skill as the fuel. Even if you've recently retired, this doesn't mean your brain has to. Whether you enroll in a higher level of education, learn a new skill, or try a new exercise, all these activities improve your mental functioning. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise when considering memory-boosting skills.

When we are mentally active, we can retain individual brain cells, ensuring they communicate stimulated. Even if you have a full-time job, it's important to train your brain uniquely by signing up for new courses or applying for a promotion. Repetitive tasks aren't enough to train your brain.

Other activities you can try include playing bridge or Mahjong, reading a book, joining a chess club, tackling a jigsaw puzzle, or learning to play a musical instrument. Engaging in cognitive activities twice a week will help to lessen the risk of memory decline.

4. Eat Well

Food is another fuel for our brains; when we eat the right products, our memories thank us. It's important to embrace a balanced diet of fish, meat, vegetables, dairy, oil, fruit, eggs, whole grains and nuts. Those with a healthy relationship with food are also the ones who are likely to have the strongest memory.

5. Physical Activity

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Per week, we should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate exercise. Instead of following a set routine, try to mix this up or try something new. When we learn a new activity, such as yoga or step, our brains must work harder. This is particularly the case when considering more intermediate yoga poses, as we're using both our brains and bodies simultaneously while trying to stay balanced.

6. Staying Social

Whether you've just retired, or the grim weather is causing you to cancel plans and stay inside, remember our brains need to be socialized. From attending events to visiting relatives, face-to-face social engagement should be embraced at least twice weekly. Chatting and expressing opinions keep our minds active and reduce the risk of memory loss. The more we stay in, the more secluded we become, which harms our minds.

7. Sleep Well

When you're active throughout the day, sleep should come naturally. Yet this isn't the case for everyone. You should try and get at least seven hours of rest every evening. When we sleep, our bodies and minds repair and rejuvenate. Research suggests sleep plays a critical role in forming and storing long-term memories. The brain uses the time you are sleeping to process new information and consolidate it for later.

If you're struggling with sleep, try drinking chamomile tea an hour before bed or practicing meditation. Both assist in soothing the mind, ridding it of the unwanted noise trying to keep us awake.

8. Declutter Your Home and Office

Clutter in our homes and offices not only makes our personal spaces appear messy but can cloud our minds. Your brain emanates this style when you walk into a clear, organized space. If you walk into a cluttered area, it can become foggy. This can lead to a lack of focus, confusion, and forgetfulness.

9. Don't be Afraid to Repeat Things

When we hear someone's name, it often goes in one ear and out the other. Instead of allowing the name to float away, say it out loud when you respond to the individual you have just learned the name of. For example, ‘Hi John, great to meet you, I’m Arthur.’ Saying the name out loud while looking at the individual will allow it to leave an imprint on your mind, which means you’re less likely to forget it.

The same goes for other items, for example. A neighbor has just pointed out a new flower in the garden, giving you its botanical name. Again, saying this name out loud while looking at the flower will help you to lock it into your brain.

The Bottom Line

Building and maintaining brain health is an ongoing process that should be a daily priority. From embracing social outings to learning new skills to ensuring you're eating brain-boosting foods, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your brain health.