This is #2 of the Series to Improve Your Brain Health and Memory.
We’ve touched on the importance of memory as the storage and filing system of your brain. I’m sure you’ve encountered frustrating memory lapses — forgetting why you walked into that room, or not remembering where you put your keys. While these occurrences are a part of life, you can work to lessen them by exercising your brain. Let’s take a look at how your memory resembles a muscle and the ways you can give it a “workout” to make it stronger.
Work to Improve Current Skills
You probably have one or more hobbies you’re good at and enjoy. That’s great. Have you noticed that what you love to do has gotten easier over time? It often becomes less challenging, or sometimes even boring. That’s because your brain becomes accustomed to doing these activities. No new connections are being formed in your neural pathways. You can change that by pushing yourself to further improve your skills. Or pursue more difficult activities in your current hobbies. For example, try an advanced crossword puzzle or learn some new painting techniques.
Switch Up Your Routine
In a similar vein, the things we do every day including our daily self-care, leisure, household, commute and work habits can become commonplace and boring. Doing things the same way every day doesn’t stretch your brain’s limits or cause it to gain new connections. Try switching things up by attempting to to do your ordinary tasks in a different way. This will cause you to use the other side of your brain. Use your non dominant hand to write, use your mouse and brush your teeth. Take a different route to work. Make a concerted effort to speak to someone new. Watch a documentary instead of your usual Tuesday night sitcom.
Get Physical
Yes, physical exercise also gives your memory a workout. The reason for this is that our brains require an adequate supply of oxygen in order to function well. When you engage in physical activity, you boost the flow of oxygenated blood to your brain. Aerobic exercise, like running and cycling work well for ramping up the blood flow.
Take a Class
Learning something new is a sure-fire way to increase brain health and make your memory stronger. Sign up for a class in something you’ve always wanted to try. You can even start by just looking up a tutorial online. Anything that causes your brain to work in new ways will have the effect of creating additional neural pathways and connections.
Teach What You Know
Another method for upping your brain power that many people may not realize is to teach something to someone else. Showing someone how to do something causes you to organize the material and to figure out ahead of time how to present it. These steps increase your own understanding of the information as well as your ability to recall it with ease.
These are just a few relatively easy ways to keep your memory working and new brain connections forming. Anything new you can add to your routine will help. Have fun adding activities to your own memory strengthening regimen. You will soon see a difference in what you’re able to remember.
