Where Did I Put My Keys? Simple Tips & Tricks to Improve Your Memory
Have you ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you went in there? Or spent minutes searching for your keys, only to find them on the counter?
Forgetfulness can happen at any age, but as we grow older, we become more aware of the condition of our memory. These concerns are frequently linked to worries about cognitive decline or conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
Luckily, memory can be strengthened and improved! By adopting a few simple habits, you too can help sharpen your mind and support your overall health. Here are a few helpful tips & tricks:
Maintain Your Physical Health
Taking care of your physical health has a direct impact on your memory and its overall cognitive function.
- Eat a healthy & balanced diet à Eating a nutrient-rich diet containing a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, & whole grains can support brain health and improve cognitive functioning. At Kavod, registered dieticians approve all our meals, so our residents receive great brain food!
- Exercise regularly à Regular physical activity increases blood flow, helping enrich the blood and the brain with more oxygen. Exercise also helps stimulate production of substances that help maintain the structure and functioning of the brain.
- Get quality sleep à Sleep plays a critical role in learning and memory consolidation. Without enough rest it becomes difficult to focus, retain new information, and efficiently recall memories.
Keep Your Brain Active
Consistently challenging your brain helps build cognitive resilience and improve mental performance.
- Learn something new à Memory can be strengthened through continuous learning. Whether it’s taking an interesting online course, learning a new instrument, or picking up a new language, keeping your brain active and engaged can allow for better memory performance. Kavod’s activity calendar has tons of learning opportunities – check it out here!
- Stay socially connected à Maintaining strong social connections is key to boosting memory and cognitive performance. Social interactions exposes you to new ideas, conversations, and experiences, keeping your brain engaged and actively learning. In Kavod’s Assisted Living department, residents meet daily for meals and go on trips together – all included in our pricing!
Create & Stick to Routines
Establishing consistent routines and using organizational tools can help reduce mental clutter allowing for better focus and memory performance.
- Develop good habits à Performing specific activities at the same time each day helps create predictable patterns, easing the cognitive load of having to remember and re-plan your schedule.
- Utilize tools & resources à Trying to keep track of every detail can overwhelm the brain. Using tools such as planners, calendars, reminders, and shopping lists can help manage those daily activities, allowing your brain to focus on more important tasks.
Taking care of your memory and cognitive health doesn’t require drastic changes; instead, it’s about making consistent choices. By focusing on physical health, keeping your brain actively engaged, and building consistent routines, you can help enhance your focus and memory. And hopefully, you’ll remember where you put your keys!
References:
- How to stay mentally sharp: Simple ways to improve your life with brain science from an expert – Mayo Clinic Press
- How to Improve Memory: Power, Concentration, Retention, and Focus
- 7 Things to Do When Your Memory Starts Slipping | TIME
- Protecting memory: strategies for healthy brain aging – Harvard Health
- 7 Ways to Keep Your Memory Sharp at Any Age – Harvard Health
Crafted with the help of ChatGPT