As time goes on, the body has a tendency to become slower, heavier and less flexible, and daily tasks, such as remembering to take out the garbage, become harder. This is because memory also starts to go with age. Although this may be true, there are ways to arrest this process and keep your memory hitting on all cylinders. It takes a little bit of stimulation and some dietary adjustments.
Step 1
Read something daily. Reading helps develop cognitive skills and improves the ability to remember things. Read the newspaper, books or magazines that you might find interesting.
Step 2
Do some puzzles. Much like a muscle, the brain can be worked by placing a stimulus on it that it is not used to. This is also called the "overload principle." Do some crossword puzzles, brain teasers or games that involve concentration.
Step 3
Make sure to sleep. During sleep, your mind and body regenerate, heal and repair. If you are deprived of sleep, your mind will not be able to function properly, which can worsen your memory. The Centers for Disease Control recommend adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.
Step 4
Go for a walk. Exercise brings many benefits to the body, such as an increase of muscle mass, better mobility and a reduction of weight. When it comes to memory, exercise can help increase circulation to the body and brain. Better circulation equals better brain function and memory. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week. Some examples are weight training, swimming, biking and fast-paced walking.
Step 5
Eat foods that are good for your brain. There are some foods that are good for your body, and there are others that are good for your body and your brain. Some of these foods include greens, berries, broccoli, cauliflower, nuts, seeds, salmon, mackerel, herring and olive oil.
Step 6
Learn a new skill. Always try to learn something new through online courses or just from buying a book on something you want to learn how to do. Some examples are playing an instrument, gardening techniques, cooking or home improvements.
Step 7
Stay away from mind-altering substances. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can damage the liver and brain cells. Limit your alcohol to one to two drinks a day and avoid mind-altering illicit drugs. Also, do not smoke as it can constrict arteries that lead to the brain causing a lack of oxygen.
