Health News and Tips:
Tired of Forgetting Stuff? Neuroscience Says Four Habits Will Drastically Improve Your Memory and Brain Function:
The harsh reality is that we’re not getting any younger, and with aging comes consequences, such as a decline in mental acuity. Ever forget the names of people or places, or even what you had for lunch the day before?
Your memory plays a vital role in staying ahead of the game, making informed decisions, and driving business success. The good news is that memory can be improved through brain habits that can catapult your memory power and give you a competitive edge.
For example:
Get regular exercise
Physical activity can improve your brain and mental health. According to research, engaging in regular physical activity increases the size of the hippocampus, a key brain region responsible for memory formation and learning. Exercise also enhances blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new neurons and enhancing synaptic connections. By making exercise a priority, you can boost your memory and sharpen your focus during a busy and productive day.
Eat healthily
Substantially increasing the chances that your brain will be staying sharp and functioning at a high level may have everything to do with what you put in your body. According to an article published in Better Nutrition, a regular diet of fish and vegetables can actually “slow down cognitive decline by the equivalent of up to 19 years.” One study that followed 27,860 people in 40 countries for five years found that individuals with the healthiest diets were 24 per cent less likely to experience cognitive decline than those with the least healthy diets. To protect your brain against memory loss and remain sharp every day for years to come, experts recommend incorporating blueberries, coconut oil, spinach, and lean beef into your diet.
Stimulate your mind
Challenging your brain with mental exercises can improve memory and cognitive abilities. Activities like puzzles, reading, learning new skills, and playing strategic games help keep the brain active and enhance neural connections. A systematic review of 22 population-based studies estimated that engaging in complex mental activities, such as reading books, playing checkers, and completing crosswords or other puzzles, reduced the overall risk of incident dementia by 46 per cent during a median seven-year period.
Manage your stress
Chronic stress and anxiety can impair memory and cognitive function. Employing stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, and engaging in relaxing activities can help improve memory. At work, one of the best ways to manage your daily stress is to calm your brain down and take a break. We should take a 10-minute break every 80-120 minutes to calm our brain activity, preventing overstimulation and loss of sharpness. Some activities that can take as little as five to 10 minutes include:
- Practising mindful meditation.
- Listening to music
- Laughing and having fun.
- Going on a short nature walk.
Now that you’re taking time-outs with activities that replenish the brain, encourage your employees, colleagues, friends and whanau to do the same.