How can you preserve your memory?

Stimulate your memory every day

The more you preserve your memory, the better it will function. There are, of course, exercises that you can do regularly (you can find them easily in specialized books or online). But you can also use your memory as part of your daily routine, whether at home (remembering a culinary recipe) or at work (a colleague’s mailing address). How and what you memorize isn’t so important; what matters is varying the methods you use to learn and achieve progress (remembering a list of five objects, then six, seven, etc.).

Practical steps

Shopping lists, telephone numbers, appointment dates and times, or poetry, songs, and theater all provide opportunities to use your memory that you should seize. If you need help to memorize things better, use a paper and pencil rather than a computer or a smartphone. A study showed that memory is more effective when we’ve written something down.

Move!

Physical activity is essential to maintaining overall equilibrium. But it also produces physical benefits that free the spirit (we can talk to a friend while running, for example), which is great for memory. Several published studies have found that exercise has a direct impact on memory. Engaging in physical activity allows you to develop your memory and maintain a high capacity to memorize detail as you grow older.

Practical steps

Engage in regular physical activity (at least 2-3 times per week), preferably an activity that you can do outdoors.

Eat a balanced diet

Diet and memory? They are connected, and much more than you think. A diet that satisfies your energy needs, including plenty of vitamins and minerals, and harnesses the power of antioxidants, helps you preserve healthy neurons and limit cognitive decline and memory loss. Certain nutrients, such as choline or essential fatty acids (especially omega-3), have the power to enhance neurons and memory.

Practical steps

Eat at least five fruits and vegetables per day to fight oxidative stress and cellular aging. Choose foods rich in omega-3 and choline (you can also take supplements) such as fatty fishes, wheat germ, almonds, and broccoli. Limit saturated fats (such as cold cuts, butter and cream) and sugars. Drink plenty of fluids.

Maintain an enriching social life

Contacts, discussions, debates: participating actively in intellectual stimulation and psychological wellness are two ways to promote good memorization and limit memory problems.

Practical steps

You can join a club or an organization. Taking advantage of cultural events in your city (such as conferences or exhibits)opens you to new horizons. Board and memorization games can also provide opportunities for very interesting discussions that can enhance memory.

Sleep and relieve stress

Lack of sleep, like any form of stress, is a neurological disruption that can impair cognitive abilities and thus have an impact on memory. The risk? Lack of sleep can lead to frequent memory loss and impaired ability to memorize. Furthermore, memory consolidation mechanisms are at work while you’re sleeping as we can see in children: they are learning so many things that they need more sleep.

Practical steps

Go to bed at a regular hour, in a temperate room, and always sleep between seven and eight hours a night. Practice relaxing activities in the evening (such as yoga or sophrology) to relieve stress.