Mixing up your children’s names? Misplaced your keys? Can’t recall a phone number used every day? Relax; these moments could happen to anyone. As we get older, these instances leave us worried about future, more serious memory decline. Occasional memory lapse is just a normal part of aging similar to age spots or wrinkles. It is not necessarily a precursor to dementia or serious mental disorders.
The Brain and Memory
As we age, the brain ages as well. The process of aging leads to a gradual loss of brain cells, and weakening of connections between brain cells. This leads to memory loss. The more connections there are between brain cells, the better the brain’s ability for storage and retrieval of information. The good news is that scientists now know that the brain continues to make new cells throughout life and so significant memory loss is not inevitable.
The brain is like a muscle; you must use it or lose it. Memory loss is influenced by both genetics and environment. Scientists claim that a person’s education level and occupation play a significant role in onset of memory loss. Individuals with high levels of education or whose occupations require complex mental functions are less likely to suffer significant memory loss.
Your lifestyle has a significant impact on brain health. Here are a few tips for sharpening our brains as we age.
Physical Exercise
Exercise improves blood circulation to the brain thus nourishing existing brain cells as well as promoting the growth of new ones. It also bolsters the release of BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic protein) which stimulates the growth of new brain cells. Physical exercise reduces your chance to develop disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases associated with memory decline. Physical exercise is also a great stress reliever.
Mental Exercise
Boosting brain function takes place as we learn. So learn new things even as the years pile on. One can learn a new language, play a musical instrument, take a cooking class or even play challenging brain games. Using your non-dominant hand for everyday activities such as brushing your teeth or combing your hair are also exercises that challenge the brain. Reading and writing stimulate the brain keeping it rejuvenated. It is also worth trying one of the many brain training apps available online.
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