Most people start having issues with their memory as they get older. Seniors, most of all age groups, ask themselves questions such as, “Why did I open the fridge?” or “ What was your name, again?” It’s just the way life works. No one can escape this development. But there are things older adults can do to reduce the levels of their forgetfulness.
There have been many types of research conducted and books written on this subject. Below we have listed only a few things the elderly can do to slow down their issues with memory.
Be More Organized
Good organization can vastly reduce the number of things we forget. The best example of something that we need every day and that gets frequently lost is car keys. Keys should always go in the same place. This way you can’t forget where they are. They need to be in the car, in a pocket or purse, or at a particular location in your house. The same goes for other similar objects such as glasses, hats, and wallets. Life will be more comfortable and memory less strained if you get organized. With everything in its place, you won’t even need to engage your brain.
Source: pixabay.com
Pay Attention, Concentrate
According to studies, the ability to pay attention and focus will diminish with time. This means we will have to be more focused on the things that are important. For example, all of us have experienced the moment when we open the fridge and then can’t remember what we were looking for. This happens because our focus slips onto another thing. Older adults are more prone to this than any other age group. Because of this, they need to train their brain to be alert in the moments they are making decisions.
Incorporate a Healthy Diet
Eating well is essential. A balanced diet is a must for good memory. If you don’t eat properly, you are more likely to experience memory loss. Taking supplements of vitamins such as vitamin B, C, and D3 won’t be enough. Elderly adults need to eat foods that are recommended by experts for brain health. According to some studies eating blueberries on an empty stomach is quite beneficial for brain health. Also taking resveratrol, which can be found in red wine, is one of the things that has a close relationship with memory. Most of you probably know that eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can improve memory. They can be found in fish such as salmon and sardines.
Exercise
Working out will stimulate the brain by allowing more blood to flow to it. The more you exercise, the better your circulation will be. Working out on a regular basis will do wonders, not only for your brain health, but for overall well-being. Essential factors for memory health are good mood and stress reduction, both of which come from exercising.
Keep Learning
Memory is best preserved if you take time to learn new things. The brain will be stimulated if a senior puts effort into learning a new language, playing games such as Sudoku and chess, or even taking music classes. If none of these seems interesting to you, then you should take a simpler view on learning. For example, you can try to memorize a todo or grocery list. Other examples of exercising your brain include card counting, remembering long strings of numbers, and also remembering on which page in a magazine a certain picture can be found.
Sleep
Never underestimate the value of sleep. What you process during the day, the brain consolidates during the night. This is how memories are created. Without the needed rest, you have a higher chance of developing memory impairments.
Featured Image Source: www.pixabay.com
