Things you can do to prevent memory loss and improve your chances. This article will teach you eight methods for strengthening your mind. Most people occasionally need to remember the name of a new acquaintance or misplace their car keys.
Most of the time, that is a sign that a person is too busy or preoccupied. Having a consistently wrong recall may be tricky for someone.
Many factors contribute to memory loss, including genetics, age, and clinical situations that affect the mind. Diet and lifestyle are also viable risk factors for cognitive decline.
Although not all memory loss is preventable, humans may be capable of taking measures to shield the mind against cognitive decline as they age.
Eight tips to try to help improve and prevent memory loss
1. Perform Brain Training
The brain, like muscles, needs regular exercise to stay healthy. Mental workouts are as important as other aspects of gray matter. And taxing the mind can help it grow and expand, improving memory.
An extensive study shows that participants who completed 15-minute training sessions 5days a week improved their brain function. When researchers compared them to a control group that did crossword puzzles, the participants’ working memory, short-term memory, and problem-solving abilities all increased.
The researchers employed Lumosity’s brain training exercises. The challenges test a person’s ability to detail and memorize patterns.
2. Exercise
According to the author of a study published in the Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, physical activity directly impacts brain health. Notes, regular exercise minimizes the risk of cognitive decline. Age protects the brain against degeneration.
A 2017 study has shown that aerobic exercise can improve cognitive performance in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. The control group did anaerobic stretching and toning. Aerobic activity can raise your heart rate by performing these activities:
Brisk walking
Running
Hiking
Dancing
Cross-country skiing
3. Meditate
Mindfulness meditation may assist in boosting memory, according to the authors of a 2018 research paper. Many studies show that meditation improves brain function, lowers symptoms of brain deterioration, and improves working memory and long-term memory.
The researchers examined the brains of persons who meditated regularly and those who did not. Their findings suggested that regularly meditating may induce long-term changes in the brain, such as enhanced brain plasticity, which aids brain health.
This article will teach you about many styles of meditation and how to practice them.
4. Sleep Enough
Sleep is essential for good brain health. Disrupting the body’s natural sleep cycle can result in cognitive problems because it interferes with the brain’s processes to build memories. A whole night’s sleep, approximately 7-9 hours per night for an adult, assists the brain in creating and storing long-term memories.
5. Reduce Your Sugar Consumption.
Sugary foods can be sweet and satisfying at first, but they may contribute to memory loss. According to animal model research from 2017, a highly sugary drink is linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers also discovered a link between consuming too many sugary drinks—particularly fruit juice and having a smaller overall brain capacity, an early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
Keeping sugar to a minimum may help mitigate this danger. While naturally sweet items, such as fruits, are a welcome supplement to a healthy diet, people should avoid sugary drinks and foods.
6. Avoid High-Calorie Diets.
Along with avoiding sources of extra sugar, limiting overall caloric intake may also help preserve the brain. According to the researchers, high-calorie diets can impair cognition and contribute to obesity. The impacts on memory link to how high-calorie diets cause inflammation in specific brain areas.
While most research in this field had tested on animals, a 2009 study investigated whether calorie restriction in humans could improve memory. Female participants with an average age of 60.5 years cut their calorie intake by 30%.
The researchers discovered that they had a considerable improvement in verbal memory scores, with the most remarkable benefit in those who adhered to the diet the best.
7. Caffeine intake should be increased.
Caffeine from coffee or green tea may be beneficial to memory. Researchers have shown that caffeine consumption after a memory test improved how participants preserved memories. Caffeine users scored higher on recall tests after 24 hours than non-caffeine users. Caffeine may improve memory.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that young adults who used coffee in the morning had better short-term memory. It may be valuable to those who have to take tests or recall information when sleepy.
8. Consume dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate may sound like an indulgence, but it may also boost a person’s memory. A 2011 study found that cocoa flavonoids, the active components of chocolate, can help boost brain function.
People who ate dark chocolate fared better on spatial memory tests than those who did not. The researchers discovered that cocoa flavonoids increased blood flow to the brain. However, it is essential to leave sugar off the diet.
Therefore, it suggested that people strive for dark chocolate with at least 72% cacao content and avoid sugar-free chocolate.
Risk factors for memory loss
Some people may be more prone to memory loss than others due to various risk factors. Genetics are beyond the control of a person. Some people may be inclined to illnesses like Alzheimer’s, which severely damage the brain and memory.
In some circumstances, a person can lessen the risk of memory impairment. A sedentary lifestyle and a diet high in refined sugar and fat may raise the risk of memory loss. Eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet and exercising help keep the mind sharp and reduce memory loss.
Summary
Many ways to boost memory can be helpful to the brain’s overall well-being. For example, practicing mindfulness meditation may make you less forgetful and reduce stress. Taking one or two memory-boosting techniques into a person’s daily routine can help maintain their brain health and prevent memory loss.
