5 Ways to Improve Your Memory

Memory loss can affect individuals of any age — from the student who really did forget their homework to the lost and misplaced keys, cell phones, and glasses as adults. Memory loss can be a common part of the aging process.

Some memory loss can stem from serious conditions, like Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions that fall under the dementia umbrella. Memory loss can also be the result of a treatable condition, and some simple steps can help individuals of all ages see an improvement in their memory.

Check your vitamin B12 levels. If you feel like your memory is lapsing, see your physician. A doctor can refer you to a specialist for a memory loss test or cognitive test that can help pinpoint any problems, as well as run physical tests to see if there are any underlying issues that might be causing forgetfulness. Many seniors have low levels of vitamin B12, and some forms of dementia and memory loss can be improved, or even reversed, by treating a deficiency. Vitamin B12 is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, and is vital for human metabolism.
Get moving. Harvard Medical School notes that every four seconds, someone around the world is diagnosed with dementia. That being said, exercise, provides direct and indirect results to improving memory. With physical activity, the body reduces resistance to insulin and inflammation, and stimulates growth factors, which are chemicals that affect brain cell health and brain blood vessel growth and survival. Regular exercise can also improve your mood, help you sleep better, and lower your levels of stress and anxiety. Harvard researchers recommend starting with about 120 minutes of exercise each week.
Start playing. Games of all kinds have been shown to boost memory and language. Studies have proven that 3-D video games, brain-training apps and computer games, or even riddles, crossword puzzles, Sudoku and puzzles can help to slow or prevent memory loss.
Sing a song. Or, join a choir, learn an instrument, or pick up a new skill, like a foreign language, quilting or photography. Learning something new helped improve the memories of the participants of a three-year Dallas study.
Check out Sunshine Retirement Living’s on-site activities. Individuals with more advanced memory loss at The Gardens at Brook Ridge have a concentrated memory care unit that offers daily activities, tailored diets, and complimentary iPods and speakers that have helped residents see improvements with their memories.

Strengthening your mind can be a group activity. Family members who notice a slight memory loss in senior relatives can start to incorporate some of the previously mentioned activities into their daily lives, helping to sharpen their brains and ward off memory loss.

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*This blog was first published here: Sunshine Retirement Living