Stay Young at Heart and Mind with These Memory Improvement Tips
Do you ever call or visit your parents or loved ones and notice that they don’t seem as sharp as they once were? Starting to forget things, seeming confused, or unaware of their surroundings are common as we start to get older, but it can be hard for those around us.
However, there are many great ways to help with brain training, backed by science.
If you want to help a loved one, read on to learn the top ways to boost your recollection with these memory improvement tips, and why they work.
Play Brain Games
Keep your mind sharp by playing memory improvement games. Not only are they great ways to work on memory improvement, but they’re also a lot of fun!
Try crossword puzzles, sudoku, solitaire, or take up a game such as chess or mahjong. You can find many free games online or pick up puzzles or brain training books at your local bookstore.
Adult coloring books are also a fun way to keep your mind occupied, and can also be relaxing for many people.
Or, why not create your own game? Maybe make flashcards featuring pictures and names of some of your favorite places or things. Or, design a personalized family trivia game, featuring great family vacations or memories.
Stay Social
Social activities are known to act as a memory booster. Lunch with friends, a coffee together, or even a long phone call can mean a lot to someone living on their own and can help their memory stay sharp.
Visiting an elderly loved one on a regular basis can help them with their memory, especially if it becomes routine and they come to know that they can expect you on certain days or times each week.
Social events such as bingo, group fitness classes, or listening to a concert or going to the theatre are great too.
Or, if you are considering helping your loved one move into a senior living community, look for one with a focus on memory loss. They will have structured and enjoyable social events for your loved ones, along with doctors and care staff who are specialized in memory loss.
Add More Omega-3 to Your Diet
Omega-3s are fatty acids, found naturally in many delicious and healthy foods. Omega-3 has been proven to help regenerate brain cells and can help reduce cell stress, which has been linked to Alzheimer’s.
Try to add foods rich in Omega-3 to your diet to help with memory. This can include foods such as oily fish, like salmon or tuna, berries, whole grains such as wholewheat bread or brown rice, eggs, and avocados.
Good news— coffee and dark chocolate are also good sources!
If you struggle to add enough Omega-3 to your diet, consider taking supplements to ensure you’re not missing out on the benefits.
Not only memory, but Omega-3 is also known to help with inflammation, eye health, joint health, and the wellbeing of your heart.
Diet can be one of the best natural remedies for memory loss.
Get Enough Sleep
Are you getting enough sleep? Sleep is an essential process for restoring and regenerating our bodies and minds. Lack of sleep can affect cognitive abilities, like driving and motor skills, but it can also impact our memory.
It can be hard to get enough sleep sometimes, so try to take naps during the day if it helps. Or, if you or your loved one are suffering from chronic insomnia, speak to your doctor for advice.
Check Your Vitamin D Levels
We know Vitamin D is absorbed through sunlight and certain foods, like fish, egg yolks, and cheese, but did you know that it’s harder for our bodies to synthesize Vitamin D as we age?
Research has shown that Vitamin D supplements for the elderly can help improve cognitive outcomes.
Talk to your doctor about adding Vitamin D supplements, as they can be a great help to memory recall.
Try Mindfulness
Have you or your loved ones tried mindfulness? It is often used in meditation and is simply the mental state of being focused and present, wherever you are.
You can do it anytime, anywhere, even for just a few minutes, by trying to block out all distracting thoughts and focus on the present. Pay attention to your breathing, inhaling and exhaling, and refocus your mind if it starts to wander to unwanted thoughts.
Mindfulness can help to relieve stress and to improve concentration and memory.
Cut Out Sugar
It can be tough to cut sugar completely out of our diets, but studies have shown that if you lower your intake of sugar, it can help with memory.
Sugar is known to cause tooth decay and increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Eating a diet low in sugar will help both your memory and your overall health.
Foods high in sugar include soft drinks, but also foods you might not expect, such as processed yogurt, granola bars, and condiments and salad dressings.
Get Moving
Exercise is known to help people of all ages with both overall health and with memory loss. It increases blood flow to your brain and keeps your heart healthy, so make sure your loved ones aren’t sitting all day.
It can be tough to exercise as you get older if you have limitations or pre-existing conditions, so always talk to your doctor about what exercises might be best. Low impact workouts are often a good choice.
However, many seniors enjoy walking, stationary bikes, gentle yoga, strength training, and swimming or water aerobics. Even easy stretches while seated can help your body stay active.
Contact Us for More Memory Improvement Tips
Are you looking for more advice when trying to help a loved one in need of memory improvement tips? We are the newest senior living community in Dove Mountain and can help with all of your senior care needs in the Rankin County and Brandon MS areas.
Contact us today to learn more about our facility. Our friendly and caring staff look forward to hearing from you and giving your loved ones the care and support they deserve.