The possibility of losing our mental acuity is intimidating, especially if you have watched grandparents and parents struggle with their memory as they age. Unfortunately, maintaining a healthy brain and keen memory isn’t as simple as solving the regular Sudoku puzzle.
Instead, there are five things you can start implementing today to help keep your brain healthy and active.
Many adults suffer from some degree of hearing loss. While the actual cause behind the hearing loss may vary, once a person has experienced hearing loss, their cognitive abilities are in danger.
As one long-term study recognized, hearing loss can significantly speed up cognitive decline in older adults. Even those adults with relatively mild hearing loss experienced accelerated memory loss and disorganization.
An easy way to avoid losing your cognitive ability to hearing loss is to ensure you have your hearing checked on a yearly basis. If hearing loss is detected, be sure to implement your audiologist’s recommendations, such as using hearing aids for hearing rehabilitation.
Not only can exercise improve your balance as you age but regular workouts can also improve your memory. Some of the ways exercise can affect your memory are:
Health professionals recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic exercise (about 20 minutes a day). If you are up to it, increase your exercise time during the day to see more health improvements.
Memory loss often becomes more noticeable in retired adults who engage in fewer social activities. Researchers have also seen that older adults who are busily engaged in social activities maintain a higher level of cognitive sharpness than those who rarely socialize. Some of the activities you may want to consider are:
The average American diet does not do much to support our brain health. Heavy on carbs and fats, our diets can make us feel sluggish. To keep our memories sharp and keep our brains healthy, try eating more of the following:
As we age, we’ve developed a lifetime of cherished memories. Newer memories often have lower priority in our brains, causing us to forget things like doctor’s appointments, new acquaintances, and what groceries we need. Give your brain a hand and try to use some information organizational tricks to keep better track of your memories.
By incorporating these things into your life, you can more effectively protect yourself from memory loss and keep your brain sharp.
Karen is a freelance writer from Utah and often writes about all things related to health, well-being, & home life. She has previous experience as a dental hygienist and currently works in the audiology industry. She hopes to offer information that helps others make simple steps to improve their overall health. As a mother of two, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family when she isn’t writing.