If you or someone you love has become forgetful, these tips on how not to lose your memory are for you. In my “Are you losing your memory?” post, I mentioned encouraging research that showed this is not an inevitable part of life or aging.
Our generation has been one of boundless energy, advanced education, and high expectations throughout our lives. As a group, we want and expect a high quality of life all the way through retirement until death. However, to make sure this becomes a reality, we all need to keep our minds sharp by continuing to learn new things, staying engaged with others, and trying different activities. There are certain behaviors that we all need to adopt to accomplish this quality of life in retirement. It is never too late so here are some suggestions that have come out of the previously mentioned brain research:
• Make sure you exercise at least 4 to 5 times a week. Read more at Keep moving—exercise.
• Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and grains.
• Learn new activities and take your current skills and activities to a higher level in order to challenge your cognition. Exercise both sides of your brain.
• Get eight hours of sleep each night as often as possible.
• Manage hypertension because it tends to speed normal brain shrinkage and loss of mental ability. You can help manage hypertension through regular exercise and by regularly taking your recommended medications.
• Manage your stress level to reduce a chemical in the body called cortisol. In small amounts, cortisol can actually improve cognition, but large amounts wear away the neurons in the brain. Keep your stress under control to alleviate the long-term problems created by too much cortisol. Stress can be reduced through meditation, exercise, and building a strong support system around you for healthy aging.
• Keep up with new research about how to prevent memory loss by changing your lifestyle.
Now you know some ways how not to lose your memory. Stay engaged and be physically and mentally active, and you will be making the best of your life for the rest of your life. Memory loss does not need to be a part of your future.