Do you believe that you can train your mind to remember things better? You may have wished that your memory was a little better if you’ve ever forgotten where you put your keys or blanked out essential knowledge. There are several ways you can improve your memory. First, we begin by discussing the power of your mind. Did you know that stress can aid in long-term memory loss? Stress can cause long-term harm to some brain areas by causing acute and chronic alterations. Stress hormone overproduction is known to impair long-term delayed recall memory. It is imperative not to stress yourself out and to remain optimistic, confident, and calm, which ties into our first step.
- Give your Brain Plenty of Rest. Give your brain some rest. Sleep deprivation regularly can cause significant health problems, including memory loss. This is since sleep is necessary for memory and overall brain function.
- Improve your Memory Self-Efficacy. Before we touch on how Memory Self-Efficacy could improve your memory, we must say there is a negative stigma that particularly some older adults have about themselves, which is that their memory is already going because of their age. This idea is accurate in a way, but not entirely. It is natural for everyone ages 20 and up to lose some memory. However, it is up to that individual to improve their memory further and continue to challenge their brain (Not challenging your brain can result in memory loss). With that being said, anyone from ages 20 and up is at risk if they choose not to challenge their brain. Improvement should be never-ending, and memory self-efficacy is the confidence you have in yourself about your memory. Having high memory self-efficacy has been shown to improve memory. With increased self-efficacy comes a strong desire to put in more effort and persevere even in the face of adversity, which, quite frankly, anyone can do if they put their mind to the test.
- Monitor and Observe Your Stress Levels. Try not to stress out. Monitor your emotions to become more aware of them and how they are positively/negatively affecting you. Try to form better behaviors and reactions by reinforcing the positive feelings you observe. It is challenging to retain information when you’re attempting to manage and cope with anxious thoughts simultaneously. Because worry keeps getting in the way, offering your undivided attention to what you want to focus on is sometimes tricky. Your brain begins to prioritize these potential risks to keep you safe as you focus on your worries and their causes.
- Play Brain Games. Memory games for strengthening memory, engaging puzzles, and conventional card games are just a few examples of ways to keep the brain engaged. These activities can be played with loved ones to keep their minds engaged. Each brain training exercise or game is a fun and practical approach for people of all ages to improve their overall mental health. Here are some games that would help improve memory that you can play today: Sudoku, Word Puzzles, Bingo, Chess, or any popular video game.
We have part two of steps on improving your memory, so be sure to stay tuned! Serenity Care & Compassion thanks you for taking the time to read our blog.