Six Ways To Improve Your Memory

As you get older, things don’t always seem to work the same as they used to. Your body takes longer to recover, your metabolism slows down, and your brain can’t retain as much information as it used to. With that in mind, it’s important to keep your brain active and give it its necessary ingredients to stay alert and remember all those tidbits of information that will come in handy later on. Here are six ways to improve your memory, no matter what age you are!

Meditate

As you age, your body tends to decrease gray matter. Gray matter contains neuron cell bodies that help you retain information, so it’s best to fight that decline as much as possible. Meditation has been proven to improve gray matter in your brain, thus improving your ability to remember things. Plus, the relaxation that you get from mediation can even help your short term memory. Take a moment each night to relax your body and mind and help build that memory.

Catch Some Z’s

One of the main reasons why people can’t remember things quite as well is due to lack of sleep. When your body is sleep-deprived, you are negatively impacting your memory. It’s like having a wall built up in front of your brain that keeps out all of the information you desire. When your body gets the appropriate amount of sleep, your short term memories are much more easily transformed into those long-lasting memories that we all desire.

Exercise

Exercise not only affects your physical health but your mental health as well. From running sprints to a leisurely bike ride, exercising regularly will help your body build up and grow neurons, leading to improved brain health. As you get older, the chances of developing dementia strengthen, and exercising helps fight that.

Watch the Sugar Intake

Added sugar is always the culprit when it comes to affecting your health. While we tend to hear about the negative effects that added sugar can cause to our bodies, we might not always hear about what it can do to our brain. Added sugar has been linked to cognitive decline, particularly in your short-term memory. By cutting down on your sugar intake, you will help your brain stay strong and alert.

Brain Games

Just like your muscles, your brain can slowly deteriorate when you don’t use it as much. You must exercise your brain like you do your body to keep it functioning properly. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, and mazes are all great brain games to exercise your brain and keep it working. Brain games are great for all ages and will improve memory, concentration, and problem-solving.

Eat Berries

One of the best foods for you to eat to improve your memory is in fact berries. Berries such as blueberries and strawberries help fight off memory loss and build your ability to retain long-term memories. Blueberries have a high amount of flavonoids, which has been linked to improving connections to the brain. So, if you’re looking for a great snack, go for some berries and help your brain and body all in one!