1. What was Your Name Again?
While some people can tell you every detail of an experience that happened 30 years ago, they have trouble remembering what they had for breakfast that day. Short term memory is held in a section of the brain that is not supposed to remember things for longer than 10 to 15 minutes. It takes concerted effort and concentration to retain the experiences that pass through the central memory zone. Without any concern, those memories are lost. A piece of information must be emotionally or substantially relevant to the receiver for it to be passed on to the long-term memory center in the brain.
2. Factors in Failing Memory
Head injuries or damage to the frontal lobes can cause short term memory loss. Psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and paranoia affect the part of the brain that stores short term memories. Illegal drugs, alcohol and various medications can adversely affect the memory as well. Some of the causes of short term memory loss are treatable and the effects reversible, while other disease, such as Alzheimer's, cause permanent damage. Once gone, those brain cells cannot be recreated.
3. Use it or Lose it
Unfortunately, we can't just go to the brain store and pick up a memory card to increase or enhance our short-term memory. So, like using our muscles to remain strong, we must keep using our biological memory chips to keep them sharp. Puzzles, reading and word games are sources of brain exercise that can help retain short-term memory abilities. Break up routines to knock some sense into an aging mind. Change hands while eating once in a while or use the back door when you're accustomed to always going in the house through the front.
4. Exercise Works Wonders
Exercise can help with brain functions by improving circulation and keeping new sources of blood energy pumping up to the brain. The chemicals that cause brain damage are kept at bay with regular exercise. Cholesterol and blood sugar levels are maintained and stress hormones can be kept at bay.
5. Feed the Brain
Healthy eating is one habit you do want to keep up. Studies show that B vitamins help carry oxygen and fresh blood to the organs that need it most. Include dark leafy vegetables, black beans and citrus fruit in your diet to get enough vitamin B. Vitamins C, E and beta carotene are antioxidants which also carry oxygen and help to improve short-term memory. If you don't eat enough berries, nuts and broccoli to stock up on these important vitamins, be sure to take a supplement. Also, don't forget to eat fish a couple times a week to get that infamous omega fatty-3 vitamins proven to increase brain function.
