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Medical Care Review | Thursday,
September 07,
2023
Your car's GPS can assist you in reaching where you want to go, mainly if time is essential or you're visiting a new location. However, a study published in Nature indicated that utilizing these technologies can significantly impact your brain's spatial memory, or ability to retain and recall information about your surroundings. In summary, it's okay to look up and get lost occasionally if it means improving your capacity to know where you are and the path to get where you want to go.
Fremont, CA: Repeating what you've just heard, read, or thought about out loud (or writing it down) is one approach to "train" your brain to remember it later. Repetition strengthens the link your brain develops as you acquire new knowledge. You can also "chunk" larger chunks of data into smaller parts for easy retrieval. Consider phone numbers as three groups of digits rather than ten numbers to memorize. Here are a few more effective ways to improve your memory:
Take Your Vitamins
To keep your mind functioning correctly, you must consume specific nutrients. While you can receive all you need from your food, supplements can help if you have deficiencies. According to studies, low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Furthermore, increased vitamin K levels in the brain have been linked to a 17% to 20% decreased incidence of dementia. Taking B vitamins can help to delay cognitive deterioration. Before using any supplements, always consult with your doctor.
Adopt Mnemonics
When you ask any doctor how they got through medical school, they'll most likely mention "mnemonics." It's a technique for increasing your ability to remember something. Mnemonics can take the shape of an acronym ("HOMES" for the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior) or a statement ("Every good boy does fine" for the notes of a treble clef in music: E, G, B, D, F). It may rhyme for added recall ("Thirty days have September, April, June, and November"). By storing information in creative "packaging" like this, your brain can access it more easily.
Challenge Your Ticker
Your brain requires a workout just like your muscles. Scientists believe that mental exercise may trigger systems that assist your brain cells in maintaining their health and communicating with one another. Make an effort to engage your mind in activities that support its functioning correctly, such as crossword puzzles, reading, engaging in games, or playing an instrument. According to studies, crossword puzzles can keep your mind fresh, even if you start doing them later in life.
Maintain a Social Calendar
Spending regular time with friends and family and being engaged in your community are vital methods to maintain social connections and avoid isolation. According to a study conducted by the National Institute on Aging, social isolation is related to a 50% higher incidence of dementia. Consider your current activities and add a friend as a straightforward approach to improving your relationships. Find a walking friend if you go for walks daily. If you enjoy reading, get a few buddies to establish a book group. Volunteering is also a mutually beneficial means of connecting with others. Use your skills to meet a need while also benefiting your brain.
