Lately it seems as though I keep forgetting little things. Where I put my glasses, my keys, the charger for my cell phone, you get the idea. I know it’s a normal part of aging to become a little forgetful but I am too young for that! If you find yourself in the same situation, it may be time to start taking a look at your lifestyle. Yep, lifestyle can impact memory loss and mental agility but there are a few things you can do to strengthen them.
1. Play games. I have never played Sudoku but studies have shown games like this can strengthen our mental functioning and memory. You can also work on crossword puzzles and seek-n-find puzzles.
2. Watch game shows. Remembering how you felt when you got the answer correct on the TV show Jeopardy? Watching shows such as Jeopardy can have a similar impact as playing a game as it involves answering questions or solving puzzles. Some other suggested games shows to watch are Family Feud, Wheel of fortune and The Price is Right. Just be careful not to get lost in all of the prizes the contestants win, or for some, don’t win.
3. Break large pieces of information into bite size pieces. If you need to memorize something or if you have a test coming up, take your time learning it. Remember how you use to cram for an exam? Don’t think you can do like you use to and wait until the last minute to learn what you need to. Break the information up into smaller segments and learn a new pieces each day.
4. Keep Learning. I am big believer of the philosophy, if we stop learning we die. Sounds a bit harsh but I never want to stop learning. Just like our bodies, our memories are like a muscle. The more that you exercise them, the more they improve. When we spend time learning new skills, reading books, or working on a hobby that requires concentration, it does help boost your overall memory.
5. Get some sleep. This tends to be one of the main issues when it comes to memory loss and something we can control and fix. So many of us do not get enough sleep. Research shows that our ability to remember and recall things is greatly impaired when we are tired. Take time to listen to your body and learn just how much sleep you need each night to help keep your memory sharp.
I have to admit, it was a but scary thinking my memory was failing me at such a young age. I was very thankful to learn the culprit for my temporary memory loss was lack of sleep. Now I know when I start forgetting things more often, I need to take better care of me get adequate rest.
If you find yourself forgetting where you put your glasses or keys, or what you were supposed to be doing, start implementing one or more of these strategies. In just a few days you should see your memory and mental function strengthen. These are just a few of the strategies I share with the leaders I work with on how to stay focused and on top of their mental game. If you would like to find out how I can assist you, please email me at cowens@infinitycoaching.net or visit my website at www.infinitycoaching.net to see how we can work together.
