| Quick Fact: Memory loss can begin as early as 45 years old. |
As people age, they become more and more concerned about their mental sharpness and what they need to do to enhance memory. The fear of memory loss or even developing Alzheimer’s or Dementia is real. Every three seconds, someone in the world is being diagnosed with Dementia. By 2030, it is estimated that over 78 million people will be living with dementia. Unfortunately, memory loss can start at the young age of 45 and individuals slowly regress from there. So, what can individuals do to fight back against memory loss and even enhance their memory? Here are four ways to enhance one’s memory.
Stay Mentally Active
Many people have heard experts say to stay mentally active. But what exactly does staying mentally active mean? In a nutshell, the more active your brain is, the better your memory is likely to be. Just like physical activity is good for your body, mental activity is good for your brain. Staying mentally active has shown to increase cognitive performance, confidence, positive emotions, improved sleep, and the ability to respond versus react.
What does staying mentally active entail? For a person to stay mentally active, they must utilize and challenge their brain. This can be done by engaging in:
- Puzzles or word finds
- Reading or joining a book club
- Mind stretching games such as chess, bingo, mahjong
- Social activities
- Memorizing quotes, numbers, or other information
- Taking a class
- Volunteering
- A new hobby or skill
Be Physically Active
Physical activity has shown to significantly enhance cognition. When we move our bodies and engage in physical activity, there are multiple physiological changes that occur. Our heart rate increases, improving the amount of blood flow throughout our body, including our brain. This oxygenates the brain assisting in overall brain health and memory. Exercise reduces inflammation and insulin which will have a direct impact on memory and thinking. Some great exercise ideas are daily walks outside or on a treadmill, aerobics, yoga, resistance band workouts, body weight workouts, water aerobics, and pilates.
Get Enough Sleep
It is recommended that a person gets roughly eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep is vital to one’s overall health and well-being, but especially memory. Sleep allows the body to recharge and is essential for one’s ability to remember and learn new things. When a person sleeps, their brain processes the information that has been gained throughout the day and then forms memories. If a person is sleep deprived, then their brain is not able to function or process properly. It can become extremely difficult to remember new or old information. So, trying to gain at least seven to nine hours of uninterrupted sleep is essential to overall health and memory.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The fuel that we put into our bodies impacts our overall functioning, especially our brain health, which in turn impacts one’s memory. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, healthy oils such as olive oil, and whole grains contain rich nutrients that lower beta-amyloid proteins in the blood. This results in improved vascular health and reduces the likelihood of stroke. Nutrient rich foods have been linked to lower rates of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and memory loss. So, you might be wondering, what food can I eat that contain these nutrients?
Some nutrient-rich memory boosting foods include:
- Greek yogurt
- Blueberries
- Hummus
- Salmon
- Spinach
- Pine nuts
- Asparagus
- Apples
- Olive oil
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Pears
- Beans
- Brown rice
- Whole wheat bread and pasta
- Eggs
- Avocados
Start Enhancing Your Memory Today!
As a person engages in staying mentally and physical active, obtaining sufficient sleep, and eating a healthy diet, they will likely notice enhanced memory and overall better well-being. It can be tricky to implement each of these if you haven’t already been doing them. However, starting one memory boosting activity at a time and building from there is better than doing nothing at all. So, start enhancing your memory and overall brain health today!
Choose The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care
The Cottages Senior Living will provide the best environment for your loved one. Their small, home-like atmosphere and high staff-to-resident ratio helps ensure that the residents are well cared for, and their needs are addressed. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care homes have a maximum of only 16 residents per home, which enables our staff to give more personalized care. The home-cooked meals follow dietary guidelines and are delicious and nutritious. The activities are tailored to the residents’ wants and desires, creating life-enriching moments. Bus rides and fun outings are a regular occurrence. The administrator has an open-door policy and is never too busy to meet with family or answer questions. The atmosphere feels calm, happy, and looks like a home. The Cottages are secure but never feel like an institution or hotel. The staff receive consistent and updated dementia training. The team members are continuously recognized and rewarded for providing excellent care. A positive company culture is vital to the leadership, and they are consistently working on this. The Cottages Assisted Living and Memory Care has received numerous national and state quality awards for their well-run homes, exuding superior care.
If you are looking for an exceptional assisted living or memory care home, look no further. Call The Cottages today to schedule a tour or speak with one of our experts! (208) 475-1805.
References
Alzheimer’s Disease International: Dementia Statistics. Retrieved from Here
Harvard Heath Publishing: Exercise can boost your memory and thinking skills. Retrieved from Here
Nidirect Government Services: Staying Mentally Active. Retrieved from Here
WebMD: Sleep deprivation and memory loss. Retrieved from Here
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