You may not be aware of it but it's possible that the lifestyle you are currently following is either beneficial or harmful already to your memory. Healthy habits are not only good for our physical body but many studies have shown that it affects the memory and brain health in general. The following healthy lifestyle habits are mostly suggested by health care professionals for both the body and brains:
Exercise
This has been stressed time and time again. Our bodies need physical exercise and other physical activities either daily, if time permits, or a minimum of 2-3 times a week. Primarily, any physical activity which can get you pumping and sweating helps keep a good amount of blood flowing into the brains and adequate blood flow means adequate oxygen for the brain cells too. This decreases the risk of any disease or disorder which can result to the loss of memory. This also enhances your ability to process and recall information.
One study published online last January 31 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences linked aerobic exercises to increased hippocampus volume, the part of the brain responsible for long-term memory processing. A computerized spatial memory test done on the participants showed that those with larger hippocampus growth after the exercise intervention did better. This suggested that they have improved their memory compared to those who remained sedentary.1
Exercise also helps maintain a normal body weight where cholesterol is balanced along with blood pressure. Having high cholesterol and high blood pressure leads to cardiovascular diseases which can lead to some forms of dementia or worsen it as seen in recent studies too.
Smile and Laugh
Maintain your sense of humor. You may even look into the funny side of forgetfulness and laugh at yourself. This will not only help you cope with instances where you cannot recall but it stimulates many parts of your brain needed for imagination and learning. Writer Daniel Goleman pointed out in his book Emotional Intelligence that "laughter…helps people think more broadly and associate more freely." So look for fun and funny things to smile and laugh about in your life, environment, and most especially the people around you. Children are the best sources of laughter. They just seem to find joy everywhere.
Control Stress
Controlling stress is easier said than done because it is part of everyday life but it's not impossible. One fun way to control stress is by maintaining social associations with friends and family. Associations inhibit depression which has a major impact on brain functions like the memory. They also help you laugh and find joy or humor which stimulates your brain more.
Relaxation techniques like deep breathing, visualization and yoga also help reduce stress and enable the brain to work because these ask for forced focus or concentration to align the body and mind. 2 In line with this be positive. Accept your limitations, appreciate your improvements and look forward to your memory development.
Sleep
It's so simple but yes, sleep helps improve the memory. Research has shown that sleep is needed for the brain to collect all the recent information it has learned throughout the day to form memory. It is essential for other cognitive functions like problem solving skills and critical thinking.
Catnaps are also helpful for memory improvement. Many research have proven that it improves the mind's alertness and many information are retained after taking a nap.3So take advantage of even the little time you get to sleep but a good's nights rest of 6 to 8 hours is still highly recommended.4
Next: Food for the Memory
SOURCES:
- http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=aerobic-exercise-bulks-up-hippocamp-2011-01-31
- http://helpguide.org/mental/stress_relief_meditation_yoga_relaxation.htm
- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23301456/ns/health-behavior/
- http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/sleep/basics/how-to-fall-asleep.htm
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