5 proven ways to keep your memory sharp

As we get older, our minds and bodies start to age, and our cognitive health begins to decline. We start to get lazier, living with less energy, and our muscles weaken. Our minds are also not as sharp or as witty as they used to be, and one of the main and most stereotypical functions we start to lose is our memory. It’s a generic statement to say that older people tend to forget things easily, but it’s very true, and unless you’re putting time and effort into keeping your memory sharp, it’s going to age in time. To help you on your way, let’s look at five powerful ways to keep your memory sharp.

1. Quit smoking

To begin with, if you’re a smoker, quit. There are really no positive health benefits to smoking cigarettes.

While you know all the risks and dangers, from a memory standpoint, studies have shown that age-related memory loss is far more common in smokers than it is in non-smokers. That is just another string to the bow of how smoking is so harmful.

2. To keep your memory sharp, reduce stress

With mounting deadlines, new jobs, children, and all the other stresses of modern life, it’s hard to reduce stress. But, it’s stress itself that is one of the key issues that cause memory loss.

The stress hormones can be directly responsible for impairing your ability to focus, especially if you’re anxious. That leads to memory deficiencies in later life.

So, have a solution at hand to unwind. It could be exercising, meditating, practicing yoga, going for a daily walk, or something else.

3. Never stop learning

If you think of your memory capabilities as a muscle, you know that it will get stronger and more capable the more you exercise it.

That is why you should practice and use your memory as much as you can. The fitter you keep it, the healthier it will be.

Thankfully, you don’t need to go to school. Simply learning any kind of new skill can be enough to keep your memory in check, whether you’re practicing a new language or learning a new musical instrument.

4. Exercise when possible to keep your memory sharp

You already know the main benefits of exercise as they’re shared enough, but when it comes to memory, exercise is just as important. This is because exercise stimulates the flow of blood to your brain, which helps your brain function more actively.

You also reduce your risk of mental health conditions like dementia through exercise, conditions which will dramatically affect your memory functions. There are many activities to pursue as seniors, adults, and young people.

5. Get a proper amount of sleep

Conservehealth shares that sleep is so important because if you’re sleep-deprived, you’re actively destroying the cells in your brain. That includes your memory cells.

Sleep deprivation is a huge killer in modern life. Especially when you consider that the vast majority of your memories are formed when you’re unconscious and asleep. Be proactive in bettering your sleep habits, and you should see a rapid improvement in your cognitive functions, your memory included.

Takeaway on cognitive health

There are plenty of ways to keep your memory sharp. As you can see from the list above, the majority of them simply revolve around you taking steps to look after yourself and enhance your well-being. By looking after your mind as much as your physical self, you can enjoy a better quality of life on many levels.