Whether you are old or young, you have probably experienced forgetfulness at some point in your life. However, some individuals seem to have more difficulty remembering stuff and find that they get more forgetful as they age.
This might make you feel worried about the possibility of having dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and that you should check into a facility for memory care in South Ogden ASAP. Instead, however, your memory lapses may just be due to certain lifestyle habits such as the ones below.
Poor or Inadequate Nutrition
Having insufficient nutrition in your diet could cause sluggishness, not only in the physical sense but in the cognitive sense as well. When you lack ample energy and nutrients, your brain function will be negatively affected, such that certain vitamin deficiencies can reduce cognitive function.
For instance, vitamin B12 serves a vital role in proper nerve, and brain function and deficiency of this vitamin could result in neurological issues like forgetfulness, lack of concentration, and confusion.
Stress and Lack of Sleep
Experiencing periods of significant anxiety and stress could negatively affect your cognitive function and lead to memory slips. Not getting sufficient sleep, which typically comes with high stress, is one of the most common causes of memory lapses. This impacts how the brain recalls and stores memories.
Excessive Drug Use and Alcohol Intake
Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption could lead to memory deficits and brain damage. Studies have shown that it could likewise shrink the brain and interfere with neurotransmitter activity that, in turn, might hinder many cognitive functions.
Certain prescription medications can likewise cause memory slips, particularly sleep aids. If this is the case for you, inform your doctor so that he or she can prescribe you something else. Some studies also suggest that regular marijuana use may negatively affect memory.
Easy Tips to Boost Memory
If you are tired of being forgetful, the following are practical strategies you can use for helping you remember stuff faster and easier:
- Remember names through association. When meeting someone for the first time, think of a specific thing that you can associate with the person to help improve your recall.
- List things down. If you find yourself constantly forgetting tasks or appointments, leave yourself post-its in strategic locations around your home. You can also carry around a small planner or notepad, or use a planner app on your tablet or smartphone.
- Banish stress by working out regularly. In most people, regular exercise can help in resolving brain fog. It increases the production of certain chemicals in the brain that triggers nerve cell growth, which can help improve memory.
Keep in mind that in general, incidental and brief memory slips, like not remembering where you placed your phone or keys, aren’t warning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s. But if you’re continually noticing an increase in memory slips or forgetting a routine that’s second nature to you, like using your smartphone or which key is for which, you should check with your doctor just to be on the safe side.
