5 Ways To Safeguard Your Memory As You Age

You may notice that you don’t retain or recall information as well as you used to. It is quite normal to be forgetful of everyday stuff like forgetting to pay a bill or misplacing something. Let’s review some ways you can safeguard your memory functions as you age for a healthier memory and brain: Keep learning. When you keep learning new information and skills, you challenge your brain by stimulating it to work and form new neural pathways. Age is just a number mindset. When you believe you are getting old, frail, weak, and forgetful you will automatically go into decline with that negative mindset. Believe in yourself by debunking all the myths and stereotypes that come with aging and memory. Research shows that middle-aged and older people tend to do worse on memory tasks when they have a negative view of common stereotypes and myths regarding memory and do well when they hear positive messages about memory functions in old age. Use tools to aid memory functions. Take advantage of simple tools like sticky notes, pocket notebooks, reminders, planners, calendars, and apps on your phone to help you remember something you might forget easily. Take care of your mind and body. This means staying physically active and fit through exercise, spending time outdoors in nature, practicing mindfulness, and meditation, and eating a healthy diet which includes brain health boosting foods. Lastly, to safeguard your memory functions against cognitive decline and diseases like Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the CDC recommends maintaining a healthy lifestyle consisting of quitting smoking, maintaining healthy blood pressure, being physically fit, maintaining a healthy weight, getting enough sleep, maintaining social connections, and maintaining your blood sugar levels.