Tuesday, May 20, 2008

HEEELP!! I need a Memory Sharpener!

Do you think life is stressful? Doh! Of course life is extremely challenging, hectic, sometimes insane! We worry about everything.. especially aging.. woah! However, these things do come and cannot be avoided, and all these can affect our memory. Even certain medications and the food we eat that has a lot of contraindication is a culprit to a sharper memory and better attention span. The good news is there are things we can do to sharpen our mind and help preserve it!Provoke & constantly stimulate Your Brain

Here are mental exercises that will challenge your mind to increase blood flow to the brain that will keep it in tip-top shape!

• Reading – a newspaper, a novel, a magazine, anything, just keep reading!
• Sudoku number puzzle (it’s truly an addicting one!)
• Crossword puzzles (a dictionary is most helpful)
• Brainteasers like rubrix cube (It’ss a very good one!)
• Learn new ways to use a computer (it’s enjoyable!)
• Crafts, like paper art, beads, cross-stitch, bookmarkers, painting pots, wood work and sewing, etc.
• Hobbies, like writing, gardening, building model dollhouses, etc
• Socializing – visit old friends or join groups to meet new ones
• Learn a new language.. this is really fun!
• Take lessons, maybe dancing, art, history or music
• Travel – learn and experience the food, history, and culture of your destination
• Go to the theater, the museums, or thought-stimulating movies and then attempt to write a critic about it even if it’s just for yourself
• Stop boring yourself, change the routine in your daily life. Reversing your schedule or your pattern in shopping for your groceries is an example.

Memory Aids helps

• Use day planners, and calendars whether electronic or paperbook where you can make nores for your every day appointments, to do’s. Electronic ones are more efficient nowadays since you can set an alarm to beep you.
• A diary where you can record birthdays, and special occasions that happen on the same date every year anyway.
• A notebook of daily things "to-do" lists that you can write every night before you retire for bed and placed beside your bedside so you can add on to it anytime. (sticky notes would also be helpful)
• if at all possible, an instant review session before a gathering, of who will be there, so their names will be fresh in your mind when you see them
• Would be good to establish routines, such as where you keep your bag, keys, wallet. It should be in the same place every time.

A healthy lifestyle is always a must!


Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and B vitamins.
In research studies, the antioxidant nutrients—vitamins C and E and beta carotene—have been associated with high marks on memory tests. And B vitamins, specifically vitamin B6 and folate, are believed to boost memory function as well. Good food sources include:

• Vitamin E: nuts, oils, sunflower seeds, and wheat germ
• Vitamin C and beta-carotene: orange, green, red, and other brightly-colored fruits and vegetables
• Vitamin B6: bananas, legumes, oatmeal, wheat germ, and whole grains
• Folate: fruits, vegetables, legumes, and fortified grain products

Choose food sources of antioxidants as opposed to supplements; the most promising studies so far have used foods, not pills.

Exercise regularly. Among the many benefits of regular exercise is increased blood flow to the brain and decreased risk of certain chronic diseases that can interfere with memory function. One study found that even moderate exercise has a beneficial effect. Examples of "moderate" exercise are:

• 18 holes of golf once a week, without a cart
• Tennis twice a week
• Walking one mile per day

Manage stress. It can be tough to remember what's important when your mind is cluttered and harried. Make time for relaxation—paint, exercise, read a book, pray, meditate on God’s word, take a walk, listen to music, bake bread—whatever it is that calms you down, make it routine.

Manage chronic conditions. Side effects of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can interfere with mental function. Many of the lifestyle steps discussed here can help manage these conditions. Strive to eat a healthful diet, exercise regularly, get stress under control, and follow your doctor's specific advice for your condition.

Minimize medications. Review the medications you take with your doctor. Some may be unnecessary. Also, healthful lifestyle habits may lower the need for certain drugs. Will be wise to regularly do a coffee enema (see my blog/article about it-extremely effective.)

(lifted from an article By Karen Schroeder, MS, RD; shared by Conrad Favorito with additions that I believe is beneficial to my readers)

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