A survey by the Dana Foundation revealed that nearly seven out of ten adults are worried about memory decline. As a matter of fact, 80% of doctors surveyed said their patients over thirty complain about memory loss. They are beginning to worry they may develop Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. They haven’t quite gotten to the point of finding out what they can do to make sure it doesn’t happen. If they would think about it, it is easier to try to preserve your memory while you still have it than to wait until your brains start to atrophy before you start. I always suggest that if a person really wants to improve their memory that they investigate some sort of memory training.
Baby Boomers are finding themselves trying to turn back the clock on their bodies, and are becoming more health conscious – but now are finding their brains are in need of a Fountain of Youth as well.
In our late twenties our brains are at their peak. After that everyone begins to have periodic brain “cramps,†that include forgetting words, misplacing our keys, missing appointments, or blanking out at a name. That does not mean they are on the path to mental decline. According to Dr. Fergus Craik of the Rotman Research Institute has this to say, “Memory processes are not lost to us as we age…The mechanism is not broken, it’s just inefficient.†Most of those inefficiencies are short-term memory. With that said, it is possible to improve your memory and a memory training program may be the answer. I know some who compete in the World Memory Championship who are over 50.
The brain is an amazing thing. It is able to rejuvenate itself when you put it through brain exercises and memory training. Although the average adult brain contains over a 100 billion connections between brain cells, it loses around 100,000 a day. By doing brain exercises to create new connections, and strengthen the ones that already exist, you are turning back the clock on your brain and yes even improve your memory.
It’s time you begin to think of your brain health as you do your body health. Begin by engaging your mind in a planned program that includes brain aerobics. Your brain thrives on challenges and novelty. Do something that it will have to work at.
- If you usually work in the field of math and science, try doing something in art.
- Learn a new hobby,
- Write a short story
- Learn a new skill – like skiing
- If you are not doing it now, become socially active, – do volunteer work, play cards with others or join a book club.
Do not exclude proper nutrition and physical exercise. The right diet will stop plaque from forming in your veins and the exercise gets your blood and oxygen pumping throughout your brain.
Once you make the decision to do something to improve your mind, and follow through, nothing but good will come of it. You can sit back and let genetics control your future, or you can do something now by building up your brain muscles.
This is Ron White, two-time USA Memory Champion , memory training expert, and memory keynote speaker. By regularly exercising your brain you should be able to see an improvement in your memory – which could extend your brain life. For additional help you can check out my CDs on memory training.
 
Sources:
BrainFit – 10 minutes a Day for a Sharper Mind and Memory, by Corinnel L. Gediman with Francis N. Crinella, Ph.D.