Memory is one of the most precious gifts we have been given. Just think about it -- within our three-pound brain, we have the ability to dump in practically an unlimited amount of data, and recall these bits of information whenever we need to. However, as you grow older, your ability to use your memory efficiently starts to dwindle. To avoid this, you must take early action to retain your mental health.
Losing complete control over your memory and your cognitive abilities can be very inconvenient, not to mention frustrating. It can also cause you to feel embarrassed, especially in front of your peers who don’t seem to be experiencing the same kind of serious memory lapses that are becoming a regular part of your life. These reasons alone should be enough to encourage anyone to improve their memory.
Over the years, scientists have invented and enhanced a number of techniques that can be used to retain mental health. One such technique is the use of mnemonics, which helps boost our power of recall by making use of similar names or concepts. Exercises such as these, as well as crosswords and other puzzles, are very helpful in keeping the brain active and well-oiled. These activities make sure that the neurons in the brain stay healthy and capable of transmitting signals in a quick and efficient manner. Once the neurons begin to disintegrate, this signals the start of memory loss, which can even progress into serious conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
Besides these mental exercises, you can also help boost your memory by reading voraciously and keeping updated about current events. You can also try avoiding drugs that diminish your memory, as well as unhealthy habits like smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol.
Memory capacity differs vastly from person to person. Some people may find it hard to recall the name of someone they met just last week, while others will readily narrate to you in detail a particular event that happened more than twenty years ago. In order to better remember certain information, experts say that you should be focused on the information for no less than 8 seconds, after which the data can then be easily stored in your memory. If you don’t spend that much time, chances are that you will simply forget the information within a few minutes. Research has also revealed that on average, a person can only store up to 7 separate entities in his memory buffer. This is why phone numbers contain only seven digits. Anything more than this and you would have to pause for a while to memorize the information and store it in your short-term memory.
Memory retention and recall can also be affected by certain illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disorders, and even chronic stress. Regardless of the cause of your memory problems, you can try to remedy the situation by making a few improvements in your daily diet. The best foods for boosting brain and memory power are leafy green vegetables. These contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that are excellent oxidants that enhance the flow of oxygen to the brain. Other sources of memory-enhancing nutrients are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, blueberries, oranges, grapefruit, green tea and liver. It is also advisable to take a cod liver oil supplement, which contains high amounts of the very nutritious omega-3 fatty acids. Besides these, you can also try taking memory pills that contain folic acid and vitamin B, which are both useful for improving the performance of the brain. The method you choose doesn’t really matter much. What's important is that you have decided to take early action to retain your mental health. You may not realize it now, but this decision will prevent a lot of serious health consequences in the future.
Author Resource:
After years of neglect, I found that my health had suffered. My website, www.CompleteOnlineHealth.com contains the result of my journey back towards health.
Paul Strachocki
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