Memory loss is a problem more and more seniors find themselves contending with in this day and age, for which we could perhaps place the blame on our present-day lifestyle. However, this is a lifestyle we need to adopt, and there is no avoiding it. Yet, there are still ways in which the memory can be preserved, as would be evident if we take a look at one of the many seniors who are still sharp and mentally agile well into old age.
But what is it that they do differently? Perhaps a lot, perhaps nothing at all; the important thing to remember is that memory loss is not something that is certain, and a few natural home remedies can go a long way in preserving your mental health. With this is mind, here are a few home remedies you could adopt to safeguard your memory:
1. Eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and nuts on a regular basis can help keep you sharp since they contain micronutrients that help in preserving brain health. Some of these micronutrients are Vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants (found in a high proportion in berries).
2. While nuts are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, the nutrient is found in much larger quantities in fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel. Shellfish too are abundant in omega-3s, but contain high amounts of cholesterol as well and may not be advisable for everyone.
3. Another set of substances that you must consider adding to your diet is herbs, which contain complex micronutrients that prove beneficial to the brain. A few herbs that have been found to prevent brain aging include green tea, ginseng, rosemary, basil, and garlic. Bear in mind that most spices too are made from herbs and some, such as turmeric, have been found to be adept at preventing memory loss.
4. Crosswords and Sudoku puzzles are the most common methods used to keep the brain young and active; however, there are a whole range of other activities too that rely on the same principle (that of making the brain think 'out-of-the-box'). These include puzzles of almost all kinds, tongue twisters, number-crunching games, and board games such as chess and checkers.
5. Learning a new language is another way to keep the brain agile and thus prevent against deterioration in brain health; however, most seniors may find this difficult to do at an advanced stage in life. Fortunately for us, learning anything new, not just a language, helps in keeping the brain fit; thus, you could turn to learning a new dish, a new card game, a new sport, or anything else that you are comfortable with.
6. Sleeping at regular timings and engaging in recreational activities that help you de-stress is another way to prevent mental aging, something that becomes doubly important when we consider that the increasing cases of memory loss are linked with increased stress levels in daily life.
7. While hot beverages like tea and coffee are often considered to be harmful in excess amounts, drinking them in moderation is going to prove beneficial for your brain health since they help in activating the brain and making it more alert; in fact, if you're a regular tea or coffee drinker, you'd have observed it in day-to-day life as well.
8. Regular exercise is another remedy to prevent memory loss, since it helps in improving blood circulation throughout the body; what this means is that there is an increased supply of blood to the brain, which allows for a greater amount of nutrients and oxygen to reach brain cells, thus rendering them healthy.