Do You Remember What’s His Name?
Do You Remember What’s His Name?
How’s your memory doing? Do you have senior moments? Do you remember everyone’s name? Apparently you can do more than you realise to help your memory. It turns out that your brain is actually quite resilient and has the ability to regenerate and repair itself. This is known as “neuroplasticity”.
Some lifestyle changes will help to improve things and these include reducing or getting rid of sugar from your diet. It has been found that sugar can have an adverse effect on your memory. Exercise is a great way to keep your mind sharp. Reducing stress and having a good nights sleep are also beneficial.
There is one part of your brain that is protected from aging and that is the right cerebral hemisphere which is used for spatial awareness. Young and old had the same results in a study carried out by a Dr. Joanna Brooks. They had the same spatial attention results involving touch, sight or sound. They are still trying to discover why and this may have beneficial consequences for discovering the causes of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Stress can be an important factor in your brain function. Cortisol is a stress hormone and this can have a wearing down effect on the synapses for memory storage and processing. Other research has linked chronic stress with working memory impairment. It is impossible to relieve all stress from your life. Some people use Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) also known as “tapping” to relieve their stress and anxiety.
Stress and poor sleep often go together and a lack of restorative sleep can affect your brain functioning. Your brain removes toxic waste during sleep. It also maintains metabolic homeostasis – without sufficient sleep your neurons will actually degenerate. It’s a good idea to keep up a regular sleep cycle. If sleep deprivation continues over a long period of time then brain shrinkage can happen.
Whereas lack of sleep can lead to brain shrinkage those who exercise tend to have the least amount of brain shrinkage over time. Not only that but exercise can increase the growth of the brain. In one study adults aged 50 to 80 who walked 30 to 45 minutes, three days a week showed a 2% increase in the volume of their hippocampus – a brain area associated with memory.
Eat up your vegetables because this may play an important part in preventing and or reversing cognitive decline.This is because they contain antioxidants and they deal with harmful molecules called free radicals.
Keep your mind challenged by doing things like crosswords, suduko, mind games etc. I have recently tried two games. The apps are called “Fit Brains” and “Brain Trainer Special”. They are free and fun so have a go and see how you get on.
Look after your brain, mind, memory and your body.
Now, er……what’s his name again?
Reference: Dr. Mercola
