We made it to the middle of May! Check in time, how are you feeling? Do you feel an improvement in your memory?
So far we covered how nutrition plays a role in preventing memory loss and the brain boosting power of aerobic and resistance training workouts. This week we will discuss working out a different muscle, the brain!
One of my favorite ways to remember places or people’s names is by using a mnemonic device. Mnemonic devices are a shortcut that helps us to link the information with a word or image.
There are a few different forms of mnemonic devices. Using acronyms can be helpful when trying to remember items you need at the store. For example, you could use the acronym HAPPY to remember that you need ham, apples, paper plates, and yogurt. Rhymes can also be helpful and fun: “Milk, eggs, and bread, we want to make sure the family is fed!”
You can also try Sudoku or crossword puzzles. According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, the more people over 50 engage in games such as Sudoku and crosswords, the better their brains function.
A key concept in both normal brain aging and dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) is that our ability to function is a balance of brain pathology and the brain’s cognitive strength, explained Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurologist specializing in memory disorders at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
Dr. Devi says, “The trick is to keep the brain challenged and engaged as we get older.”
Now nothing beats a great workout with a delicious smoothie and a crossword puzzle!
Healthline Editorial Team (May 2019) Can Sudoku Actually Help You’re Your Mind Sharp? Retrieved April 23, 2021 https://www.healthline.com/health-news/can-sudoku-actually-keep-your-mind-sharp#Real-results
Nichols,H (Oct 2017) Five Ways To Boost Your Memory, Medical News Today Retrieved April 23, 2021 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319876
