Very few diseases strike more fear into our hearts and minds than the dread of dementia. The idea of the insidious progression of memory loss is indeed terrifying. Still, we aren’t entirely helpless when it comes to memory loss because plenty of daily activities can help bolster our brain’s ability to store and retain memories. Fortunately, our brains are incredibly malleable, and challenging our brains with various daily activities can help with neuroplasticity and memory retention. Below is a list of several activities to keep your brain healthy and strong as you age.
Learn a new skill or hobby
Learning new skills is an invaluable way to keep our memory processing centers firing like a well-oiled machine. The best part is that it doesn’t matter what the skill or hobby is; instead, the key is that it is new to you. Perhaps you are enthralled by cooking shows, so why not try cooking new recipes you’ve never tried? Notwithstanding, if the culinary world isn’t your cup of tea, you can try something else, like a DIY project on your house. The options for novelty and challenge to your brain are virtually endless.
Read or listen to audiobooks
Reading or listening to audiobooks helps strengthen the brain’s neural pathways and creates new ones. Many areas of the brain activate during reading, including the somatosensory and motor cortex, which is the area of the brain that responds to movement, sensation, and pain. In other words, our brains believe we are the protagonists in the stories we read or hear and activate accordingly.
Do puzzles or brain teasers
Puzzles and brain teasers help keep our brains on their proverbial toes by improving our problem-solving and memory skills, but they also happen to be fun and rewarding.
Practice memorization techniques
If you are having trouble remembering things, practicing memorizing can be incredibly effective and straightforward. There is no need to learn all of Shakespeare’s sonnets to create meaningful change in your memory, either. Something as simple as a grocery list or the capital of all US cities can dramatically shift your memory recall.
Exercise your body
The benefits of exercise go far beyond heart and lung health or even looking good on the beach. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which may enhance memory and overall cognitive function.
Get enough sleep
Sleep, like exercise, has a mountain of research behind it to prove how invaluable it is to our overall health, and our brains are no exception. Adequate sleep is essential for memory consolidation, so aiming for 7-9 hours of sleep a night is crucial. It is also paramount to keep your sleep schedule as similar as possible night after night so your brain can reach all 5 sleep stages and thereby reap all of the incredible health benefits.
Socialize with others
Building social networks and participating in social activities is equivalent to exercise for your brain. Engaging with others regularly helps keep your mind agile and improves cognitive function.
If you incorporate these simple daily activities, your brain and memory will thank you.
