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Tips on how to remember things
By Byju M. Devan
Talking about tips on how to remember things, first we have to know what memory is. The human brain has got a cortex and medulla in which all our present and past things are 'feeded' like in a computer. In short, it is where our memory comes from. So memory is a very complex procedure or process and in spite of all technological and medical advancements, the brain and brain functions have not been understood fully.
There are many ways of remembering things. Some things we remember for a short time and some for a long time. This is known as short term memory long term memory. It is also know as semantic memory. For example the way we remember to ride a bike or to swim is semantic memory. There is another type of memory called as episodic memory. From its name itself we can make out that it is about remembering important events or dates or names of the people. Age is a main factor related to memory. When people grow older, the brain's activity also slows down. But it is possible to keep away from losing memory by giving good care and stimulus to the brain and also new nerve cells can be generated which will help in increasing brain function and memory.
Just like exercises done to tone up and maintain the body, there are exercises to increase memory power. These tips on how to remember things can also be considered as good exercise for brain to increase memory power. Although there are many tips and ideas for improving memory, there is very good method passed on through generations from ancient times itself, called as 'loci' method. The term 'loci' mean location or a place. In the loci method, first you have to think about a route or a place may be the location of your house which you are able to picture in your brain very clearly. In the same manner, you can picture out other things in the same way by practicing and it is a very good tip to remember things after sometime. This method was used by ancient Greek and Roman orators for the purpose of remembering long speeches and lists. Another tip to remember things is to keep 'reminders'. Reminders like 'post-its' can be used for remembering things quickly and you can remember and do what ever the post-it remind you to.
We can also keep edges of computer screens to paste notes that remind us new numbers, passwords etc. Once you get familiar with them, you can discard them and keep in the computer as a file which can be accessed in case you forget it.
Tips are good to remember things but the ultimate truth is that you should improve the health of your brain and then learn memory skills. These two will help us remember things properly and instantly. There are many ways to improve memory like meditation, nutritional diet, good sleep etc. One fine tip to remember things is to sleep well. Another tip is that you should eat nutritional diet that contains omega three that is very useful for improving memory. Omega three is available in plenty in fish oils and so you should include them in your diet. Interesting skill games also help in improving memory. The enthusiasm for these can be built up from early childhood itself. It may be good fun for children and the games can include Sudoku, puzzles to solve, brain teasers and the like. These games act as great support to improve brain strength and thereby improve memory power so that remembering things become easy. Physical exercise also gives oxygen to brain calls which will surely help to remember things. Another good tip to remember things is to improve concentration and whereby memory is improved. Memory tricks or mnemonics are route to easily remember things.
September is Healthy Aging Month Focusing Attention on Physical and Mental Wellness
By Staff Writer
September is Healthy Aging® Month, a national observance focusing attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Recognized as a national wellness campaign, Healthy Aging® Month is designed to put a spotlight on the longevity of our citizens and how they can successfully age; avoiding declines in physical, mental and emotional health.
"Since our population is living longer, people are developing higher expectations for a better quality of life in their senior years," says Dr. Lorne S. Label, board-certified neurologist and director of the Brain Longevity Center (http://www.bra-inlc.com) in Thousand Oaks, California. "It's vital that we teach people how to keep their bodies and minds working at their full capacity."
A healthy aging program includes exercise, good nutrition, stress reduction, sufficient sleep, and avoiding obvious health hazards such as smoking.
"The medical community once thought that while the body benefited from good health choices, very little could be done to help regenerate the brain. We now know that the brain is very resilient and it is possible to keep the brain sharp and agile as one grows older," says Dr. Label.
In fact, recent cognitive research has shown that the brain can continue to renew cells throughout a person's lifetime. It doesn't matter if you are nine or ninety. You can still learn - it may just take a little longer. New medical evidence also shows that a planned, individualized program can help slow the progression of cognitive decline and thereby increase the quality of life.
What steps can you take to optimize your brain function? First, most things that are good for the body are good for the brain. It's also important to be socially active, maintain a positive attitude, look for the humor in life and keep learning.
In fact, learning is the real key to maintaining good cognitive function. This means tackling new tasks and hobbies, such as taking a dance class, mastering a musical instrument, traveling to new places, trying your hand at art projects, learning a computer program or even studying a new language.
Like your body, your brain needs to be exercised frequently. Brain games and activities, sometimes called "neurobics," will engage the brain's memory, reasoning, visual spatial and information processing. These brain games should be fun and interesting, and they must be progressively more challenging - so you have the best cognitive workout.
The bottom line is that taking charge of your wellbeing is the key to successful aging. Healthy Aging® Month can be a catalyst for those who have been putting off making the necessary lifestyle changes.
"It's never too late to improve your health. If you haven't had a recent medical check-up, then schedule a physical exam. The results will show the current status of your health and reveal any underlying medical concerns. This will give you a basis for creating a proactive program that you can integrate into your life. If you take these steps, you will have a healthier body and mind to enjoy your senior years to the fullest," says Dr. Label.
The Brain Longevity Center was founded by Dr. Lorne S. Label in 2007. Offering traditional and integrative medical care, the Center evaluates and treats patients with memory impairment. The Center is located at 2100 Lynn Road, Suite 230, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360. For more information, visit our website at www.brainlc.com or call 805-497-7274.
Healthy Aging® Month http://www.healthyaging.net/index.htm is developed, produced and marketed by the nonprofit Educational Television Network, Inc. An annual observance, the campaign is designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older.