Whether you are young or older, having a good working memory is an essential part of life. Memory problems are not only frustrating to the sufferer, but they also wear others out. Although many people associate memory loss with old age, forgetfulness is not a natural part of healthy ageing.
Alzheimer’s, post stroke dementia, head trauma related amnesia, and depression are some medical conditions that can negatively impact a person’s memory beyond their control. But ordinarily, do you know that you have the power the boost and improve your memory?
Check out these 5 tips on how to improve your memory.
How to improve your memory
1. Task your brain.
Have you ever heard of the term ‘disuse atrophy’? It simply means that the less you use a part of your body, the more that part of your body shrinks or becomes less efficient. This principle also applies to your brain power; the less you use your brain the more your brain’s capacity shrinks.
A good way to preserve or improve your memory is by keeping your brain busy. This happens naturally for students, as they have to keep up with the demands of academics. But even if you are not in school, you can keep your brain busy by reading books often, or learning a new skill or language- anything that will task your brain. An active brain is an active memory.
2. Cut down on added sugar.
You probably know that too much sugar can harm your body. In addition to the increased risk of obesity, diabetes mellitus and heart disease that too much added sugar can cause, sugar can also affect your memory.
Neurologists at the University of Boston conducted a study to find out the impact of sugar on memory , and they found a real link between high sugar consumption and reduced memory capacity. This is another reason to be mindful of your diet and cut down on added sugars.
3. Go the extra mile.
Do you have any information that you really do not want to forget? Going the extra mile by writing it down or repeating it after some time (could be minutes or hours) can help you consolidate that information in your brain.
By noting, reciting or telling someone else an information, you are repeating that information to your brain- and the more you do that, the more likely for your brain to store that piece of information as important. Repetition is the key to learning after all.
4. Try sleep.
Research has shown that getting enough quality sleep is important for the consolidation of data in the brain. Sleep allows the brain to convert short term memory into long term memory. When the brain does not have the opportunity to rest and recharge, one is more likely to easily forget things. Try to get as much sleep as you can, it will help your recall.
5. Increase your consumption of dark chocolate.
Dark chocolate contains a high percentage of substances called flavonoids which are antioxidants that have been shown to boost memory. If you are trying to improve your memory or preserve what is left of it, make dark chocolates your friend; especially those that contain over 70% of cocoa content. The higher the cocoa content of your chocolates, the higher the amount of flavonoids you get, and the better it is for your remembering ability.
Read Also- 3 Things Depression Can Do To Your Sleep.
Kindly share this article and click the WhatsApp icon above to join our WhatsApp community.
