As we age, our brains start to shrink in size. When this change happens, some of the nerve cells lose vital connections with other nerve cells, which may prevent us from remembering information. As well as this, the blood flow in the brain also adjusts. While it is normal to start to get a little more forgetful as we age, significant memory loss isn’t; so it’s important to be aware of cognitive decline and notice the key signs.
Studies have shown that there are certain strategies that can help prevent memory loss in order to live a much fuller lifestyle. Here are some of the best ways you can keep your brain sharp at any age:
1. Keep learning
As we get older, it’s less likely we’ll take the time to learn. However, physician Dr. Daniel G. Amen, MD of Sharecare.com suggests that learning something new boosts the number of synapses between neurons, meaning we can take on and retain information much quicker than before. Quite simply, taking the time to learn, even we as age could help keep our brain alert.
Challenging your brain with mental exercises is the best way to prevent loss of memory and work it to its full potential. Staying mentally active, however, doesn’t always mean soaking up information as you may have done at school. You can challenge your brain in many ways; whether it be volunteering, taking on a new job role, mental challenges or even betting. Betting on sites such as Unibet encourages the brain to think deeply about the different outcomes of the game, as well as stimulating the brain’s reward system through the nerve cells.
2. Have faith in your own ability
Experts have found that when individuals are terrified of forgetting information, as they age are more likely to experience the symptoms of memory loss; while Recuperatery discovered that a negative mindset could increase the risk of dementia. People who believe they’re not in control of their own memory function may not put in the effort to maintain their memory skills, meaning they could face cognitive decline at an early age. If you aim to shut out negative thoughts and have the ambition to keep your memory sharp, there’s a higher chance it will become a reality.
3. Repeat information
When you’ve taken on a piece of information – whether it be out of a book, on television, via the radio or it has been told to you by someone else, make sure you repeat it through the spoken word and jot it down. It may not seem important to do so, but it can actually help reinforce the information in your brain and reduce the chances of you forgetting it over a short period of time.
4. Stay fit and active
While mental exercise is important for keeping your brain alert, it’s just as important to keep your body active too. Harvard discovered that working up a sweat can improve memory and thinking skills, as well as mental decline taking hold later on in life.
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