Here are some simple steps to a stronger memory….
1. Walk with a friend. Psychiatrist Gary Small, M.D., calls this a “triple threat” against Alzheimer’s disease. You get a cardiovascular workout, stress-relieving social interaction, and mentally stimulating conversation.
2. Learn Something. Take a class, or learn a new computer game. Paul D. Nussbaum, Ph.D., an adjunct professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine says, “We have the ability to shape our brains throughout our lives.”
3. Meditate – Reducing anxiety improves blood flow to the brain. For a quick calming experience, inhale for a count of seven, hold for a count of seven, exhale for a count of seven. Repeat seven times.
4. Challenge Yourself. “The number one memory complaint people have is that they’re bad with names,” says Majid Fotuhi, M.D., Ph.D. His prescription is to memorize three names a day – such as a key player on your favorite sports team, or an announcer on TV. “People need to stop whining and realize they can do it”, he says.
5. Eat Right. Get plenty of nuts, fish and olive oil, and avoid refined carbohydrates. More than half your plate should be filled with leafy, green vegetables….AARP The Magazine June/July 2013