How often do you think about how to prevent memory loss? Do you know the signs of memory loss?
Memory loss affects millions of people around the world. In fact, according to the CDC, nearly 6 million Americans have dementia.
As we get older, our brains start to forget things. That’s normal. However, if you notice that you forget things more frequently, then it might be time to look into ways to prevent memory loss.
Keep reading to see a number of exercises and tools you can use to help prevent memory loss.
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What Do We Know About Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that affects the brain. It is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease usually start to appear in people who are in their 60s or 70s, but sometimes they can appear earlier. Early symptoms include difficulty with remembering recent events, forgetting the names of people they know, and problems with language.
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it can cause more serious problems such as personality changes, hallucinations, and seizures. In the final stages of the disease, the person may become completely bedridden and unable to speak, feed themselves, or use the bathroom.
As we learn more about what causes memory loss, we discover more ways to deal with and keep it at bay.
1. Exercise Regularly
Exercising regularly is one of the best ways to keep up your brain health. Exercise releases endorphins, which help improve mood and cognitive function.
So what kind of exercises should you do? Anything that gets your body moving is good. For example, walking, swimming, or doing yoga are all examples of exercises that can improve memory.
2. Socialize with Others
Research shows that socializing with other people has many mental benefits. Interacting with other people improves our cognitive ability by stimulating brain networks.
Interacting with other people can also reduce stress, which is associated with memory loss. Stress can damage neurons in the hippocampus, which is located in the brain and is responsible for creating memories.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating well is essential for a healthy life, including a strong memory. For example, certain vitamins have been shown to improve cognitive health. Some examples of these vitamins are Vitamin B12 and folic acid.
Vitamin B12 contains the vitamin “cobalamin,” which helps your body produce red blood cells. It can also improve brain function and make it more resistant to stress.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is vital for having a strong memory and good cognitive health.
You need to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night in order to prevent memory loss. Not getting enough sleep can affect your memories by making it harder to recall what you learned during the day.
5. Keep Your Brain Busy
Keeping your brain busy with puzzle games, crosswords, or other mental challenges helps to keep it in top form.
The more your brain is stimulated, the stronger it will be. Keeping your mind challenged can actually help prevent memory loss from happening.
For example, games such as Sudoku and crosswords have been shown to improve memory by triggering certain areas in the brain that are responsible for learning and retaining new information.
Preventing Memory Loss
There are many factors that can contribute to memory loss, such as diet and exercise. Now that you know a little of what to look for as well as how to combat it, it’s up to you to apply the tools you’ve learned about.
If you enjoyed this article, check out the rest of our wellness category.
