Improve Your Memory Power Naturally

Do you have difficulty in remembering the names of persons you see daily or phone numbers you use very frequently? Yes, this is the most common problem nowadays faced by many people especially those who are in their forties and fifties. Memory is something which every one is concerned about. It so happens sometimes that we go from one room to another room on some errand and suddenly forget why we are there. It generally takes one or two moments to remember. Some elderly people have to read one paragraph twice to retain the matter. These memory lapses are often misunderstood for serious disease like Alzheimer’s. These experiences are not always the beginning of some degenerative brain disease.

Long term memory is that which the brain stores and retrieves when required. It has unlimited capacity for long term memories. However occasional memory lapse is not memory disorder unless they occur regularly with more significant information is a cause for concern.

Here are a few tips to increase your memory power

■          First and foremost thing is to have healthy and balanced diet. A diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats will not only provide health benefits but also improve memory. Increase your ability to remember with good diet and healthy habits. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids are particularly helpful for brain health. Eating fish lowers the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. If you are a vegetarian then there are walnuts, ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil, pumpkin seeds and soybeans.

■          No saturated fats as they increase the risk of dementia and impair concentration. Red meat, whole milk, butter, cheese and ice cream are the primary sources of saturated fats.

■          Fruits and vegetables that are packed with anti oxidants such as green leafy vegetables, mangoes, watermelon, apricots and cantaloupe protect brain cells from damage.

■          Quit Alcohol and smoking. Excess of alcohol kills brain cells.

■          Exercise regularly. Physical exercise increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk of disorders that lead to memory loss. Exercise enhances the effects of helpful brain chemicals and protects brain cells.

■          A good night’s sleep is necessary for memory consolidation and research shows that memory enhancing activity occurs during the deepest stages of sleep.

■          You can improve you memory by playing chess with your friends, a game of scrabble with your grand children or by solving the crossword puzzles.

■          Having meaningful relationships and strong support system are important for emotional and brain health. There are many ways to enhance the brain memory by taking the advantage of socialising yourself.

■          Interact with people and involve yourself in some kind of social activity like joining a club or meeting friends. Involve yourself in some voluntary work or you can even have a pet dog. It is proved by researchers that people with most active social life have the slowest rate of memory decline.

■          Laughter is the best medicine for both brain as well as the body. Watch comedy movies, share jokes. Try to be with people who make you laugh. Laugh at yourself by remembering some funny moment. Laughter relieves stress and improves your immune system.

■          Meditation is another way of relieving stress and strain, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and diabetes. It improves concentration, creativity, learning and reasoning skills. Meditation also increases mental sharpness and memory ability.

Memory is like muscular strength. The more you use it the better you will be able to process and remember information or you lose it.

By Nibhanapudi Suguna