5 Sharp Ways To Keep Senior Memory Going Strong

Do you know that about 10 percent of people over the age of 65 have dementia?

Many people prefer not to think about it, or like to believe it will not happen to their parents or grandparents.

Rather than dwelling on negative thoughts, try to learn about memory loss and steps you can take to delay it or improve your parent’s health. Read on to learn about cool ways to keep senior memory in shape.

1. Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is critical for memory consolidation. When we sleep, our brains replay newly learned information and skills, which helps us remember them better when we wake up. A lack of sleep can lead to forgetfulness and impaired thinking.

Older adults need about 7-8 hours of sleep each night to maintain their mental health and well-being. If you’re having trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about potential solutions. Getting enough exercise, eating a healthy diet, assisted living and memory care are also important for keeping your mind sharp as you age.

2. Exercise Daily

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to keep it healthy and aids in the development of new brain cells. It also helps to reduce stress and improve sleep, both of which are important for memory growth.

Mentally stimulating activities such as reading, crossword puzzles, and memory health games can help to keep your mind sharp.

3. Engage in Mentally Stimulating Activities

Regularly engaging in mentally stimulating activities can help keep the mind sharp and prevent cognitive decline. Some great mentally stimulating activities for seniors include crossword puzzles, memory games, and learning a new language or instrument. Staying socially active and keeping a positive outlook on life can also help keep the mind sharp.

There are many ways to keep the mind sharp as one ages, so there is no excuse not to stay mentally engaged and active.

4. Managing Stress Levels

When we’re stressed, our bodies produce cortisol, which can damage the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Some good ways to do this are to exercise, meditate, or get a massage. We can try to avoid stressful situations, and if we find ourselves in a stressful situation, we can take deep breaths and try to stay calm.

By managing our stress, we can help keep our memories sharp and our minds healthy.

5. Stay Social

The best way to keep senior memory going strong is to stay social. When we interact with other people, our brains are active and alert. We are forced to remember names, faces, and conversations. This stimulation helps keep our minds sharp.

Socializing helps reduce stress, and lowers the risk of depression, and short-term memory which can lead to memory problems.

Knowing Ways to Keep Senior Memory Strong

There are many ways to keep your memory sharp as you age. As we age, it’s important to keep our minds active and challenged. A few sharp ways to keep your senior memory going strong are by getting enough sleep, exercising, engaging in mentally stimulating activities, managing stress, and staying social.

By discovering ways to keep your mind challenged, you can help keep your memory sharp well into your senior years.

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