As people age, memory loss is commonly experienced. Memory loss can be one of the more difficult symptoms of aging to handle. Luckily, many discoveries have been made in the fields of science and medicine that can help in this regard. Making a few changes to your daily routine, or that of your loved one, can help resist and fix the loss of memory that comes with aging.
Step 1
Exercise as a part of your daily routine. Physical activity increases the blood being pumped to all areas of the body, including the brain. This helps keep the brain healthy and working optimally. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Whether continuous or broken into three ten-minute increments, the effect will be the same.
Step 2
Spend part of your day exercising your brain. The Mayo Clinic recommends engaging in stimulating mental activities as a means of warding off memory loss. Read books, magazines or newspapers that are mentally stimulating. Fill in a crossword puzzle each day or learn a new skill or hobby.
Step 3
Maintain healthy eating habits. Studies have shown that eating what is known as the "Mediterranean diet" can also help prevent cognitive decay. Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats, the basics of the Mediterranean, in your daily diet. Even though it will not reverse existing decay, optimal brain functioning can help recall memory loss more readily than not. Limit dairy products and red meats, but allow for a certain amount of red wine. Many experts, including those at the Mayo Clinic, recommend eliminating alcohol from your diet altogether when suffering from memory loss. Also drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Step 4
Take some time each day to relax. When the body is stressed, the hormone cortisol increases production to help the body protect itself. Unfortunately, having higher levels of stress for a prolonged period of time can have a negative effect on your body, including your brain. Studies show that extended brain exposure to cortisol even destroys brain cells. Give your body a break by allowing it to go stimuli-free, even if only for a short amount of time each day. Find hobbies that are relaxing to help with stress as well.
Step 5
Get enough vitamin B12 in your diet. Vitamin B12 helps to maintain the health of red blood cells and nerve cells. A deficiency of B12 has been shown to contribute to memory loss, so taking a supplement can help remedy the problem.
Tips and Warnings
- See your doctor if your memory loss is a concern to you. Make a list of questions that you would like answered during your visit.
- Don't try to do too many things at once, giving your brain an overload. Focus on doing the task at hand and not overworking your brain.
