Keep your brain working
October 14th 2011 03:57
Finding it hard to remember the name of the person you were just introduced to? Read on for some memory tips, writes Carolyn Butler
In the interest of having as many resources at your disposal as possible, clinical psychologist Cynthia Green, author of 30 Days to Total Brain Health, offers these tips for staving off memory loss:
l Play games against the clock. Instead of just regular old brain games, try timed mental challenges, which target the skills most affected by aging, such as being able to think quickly and to multi-task. Computer games and apps that claim to promote brain fitness can be fun and helpful, but they haven’t been proven to be better than similar activities, so start with a clocked board game such as Boggle, which prompts you to pay attention and work fast.
l Learn how to remember. Research has shown that targeted cognitive training can help people better absorb such information as names and passwords — and retain it longer. That’s true for even basic memory-boosting strategies such as repeating material as you’re learning it. Also, tools including organisers and to-do lists can help you keep track of things you need to know to function effectively but don’t truly have to memorise, such as appointments, errands and directions.
l Seek social connections. Studies suggest that people who engage with family, friends and others on a regular basis can significantly reduce their risk of memory loss and other cognitive impairments. These social ties provide not only intangible emotional benefits but also a forum to work on the intellectual skills that often are challenged by aging; for example, keeping up a conversation requires concentration, thinking on your feet and being nimble with your neurons.
l Develop a purpose. Last year, researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago reported that older people with a positive attitude and a greater sense of purpose in life had a lower risk of developing Alzhei-mer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment and a slower rate of cognitive decline than people with lesser motivation.
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