Nurse Health: Keeping Your Memory Sharp

Someone said that memory loss is the second thing to occur as you get older. So what is the first? Ummm, I forgot!  Actually, nurses, by the time you finish this article, you may only remember a small part of it. Fear not - you’re not alone!

Experts report that some memory loss with aging is perfectly normal. So if you forget simple things, don’t worry, you’re not necessarily developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and there are many things you can do to maintain your brain’s health throughout your second half of life. 

Recent brain research has shown that if you take action to improve overall general health, you can greatly reduce the chance of mental decline, or possibly even slow its progress. It has even been suggested that you may be able to reverse mental decline!  Here are 5 strategies guaranteed to keep your memory sharp.

1.  Build up “good” HDL cholesterol. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) transport excess cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver.  Scientists have noted that a drop in HDLs is linked to memory decline.  Keep levels high by eating omega-rich fatty oils found in salmon, nuts and avocados. Regular aerobic exercise also increases HDLs.

2.  Keep stress under control. Chronic stress has been shown to reduce the brain’s short-term memory.

3.  Sleep in. Research shows that if you are chronically deprived of sleep, your body doesn’t have time to build proteins and other brain-boosting components. Turn off the alarm and let yourself sleep in until you wake up naturally.

4.  Stimulate the brain. Try taking up a new instrument, language or hobby. Keeping the brain stimulated with new information creates new neuronal pathways that keep the brain learning, as when you were a child.

5.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies contain antioxidants that raise neurotransmitters in the brain essential for memory function and protect brain cells against damage created by free radicals.  They also work to lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, and raise HDLs.

A proactive lifestyle is essential for maximizing brain health and perhaps delaying brain disorders later in life. Nutrition, sleep, emotional health, heart health, stress and exercise all play key roles in brain function, but perhaps the most critical factor in maintaining optimal brain health throughout life is life-long learning and mental stimulation.

Take control over the health of your brain. This amazing morning will leave you with tools you can use to increase and optimize your brain function, and improved brain function can help you achieve greater confidence, faster learning, increased balance, improved eye-hand coordination, greater problem-solving ability, and increased productivity.

 

jamie, Remember  Experts report that some memory loss with aging is perfectly normal. So if you forget simple things, don’t worry, you’re not necessarily developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and there are many things you can do to maintain your brain’s health throughout your second half of life.  I think we all have memory loss at some time in our lives.. Have you ever entered a room and forgot why you went in there.? that hapens to me all of the time. I think alot of times, I'm just not paying attention... Teresa

jamie, LOL, I love the ringtones.. Great idea.. Maybe I'll try that...Ha Ha  Teresa