Improving your memory
As we age, we will become more prone to a host of health problems, including memory-related disorders and illness like dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, it is imperative that we take measures to stay mentally alert and sharp while we are still hale and hearty. Doing so not only allows us to perform better at school or work, but also allows us to preserve the colossal library of memories that we have collected throughout our lives.
Healthy body, healthy brain
We rely heavily on the physical condition of our brain to remember things, so it would be good to keep ourselves in the best of health. Eat nutritious food (they provide fuel for our brain cells to function and grow), drink alcohol in moderation (it has negative impact on brain activity) and get enough rest (so your cells can regenerate and the brain can operate at full capacity). Physical exercise increases the blood and oxygen flow to the brain and research has shown that this helps in improving cognitive ability, so keep yourself fit!
Be positive
Negative emotions, such as feelings of anxiety, depression and stress, increase cortisol levels in the bloodstream and brain, which diminishes the brain's retention and recall capabilities.
To maintain good mental health, have a positive outlook on life and keep emotional aggressors at bay.
Work it
Memory is like a muscular strength - you either use it or lose it. Avoid letting the recesses of your mind develop cobwebs - leaving your brain inactive will impede your ability to store new information, as well as retrieve memories and facts at will.
To stimulate your brain and improve your memory, shake things up! Engage in intellectual activities that will challenge your mind and expand your knowledge bank, such as picking up a foreign language. Fill your free time with activities that require mental effort, such as doing crossword and Sudoku puzzles, or playing simulation video games. Don't forget to have fun at the same time!
Up the ante
Minimise distractions to help you focus on the task at hand or a concept you are internalising. You can make use of mnemonic devices, such as acronyms, rhymes and alliteration, to help you remember things. These are "tricks" associating bits of information with cues like visual images, which can make memorising and retrieving information more effortless.
Educate Yourself
Written by Amanda Ng
Classifield, The Straits Times, Monday, February 4 2013, Pg C10