Brain Health – Tips To Improve Memory

A healthy brain indicates a strong memory. If you are a student preparing for exams, a professional completing the task given, or a senior citizen looking to preserve the brain matter, it is very important to improve the memory and mental functions, and there are few simple things you can implement to do so.

A human brain is a complex structure that works constantly in order to function properly. It is connected to the most important system of the body i.e. nervous system. It helps in learning process, perception, motor control, information processing, and controls mental functions like emotions, intellect, will and understanding. The brain has an incredible ability to change and adapt to certain things, even at an old age; this is known as Neuroplasticity. With the right stimulus, the brain gets the impulse through neural pathways and neurotransmitters.

When it comes to intellectual, learning and memorizing things, the brains plays a vital role in reshaping itself. You can control the brain’s natural ability of neuroplasticity to enhance your cognitive powers, increase your potential to learn new things, and improve your reminiscence.

You will come across may people, especially elders who are fighting with memory loss (dementia). Medically, it is referred as Alzheimer’sdisease, wherein the patient suffers from acute or chronic dementia and eventually loses his/her ability to recollect things.

Here are few important tips on how to improve memory –

·         Eat healthy foods

A well-balanced diet is good not only for your heart but also for your brain. You can rely on organic, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and wheat germ to enhance your memory power. Select low-protein foods such as fish (salmon and sardines that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids) and skinless poultry (turkey chicken that contains essential amino acid). These nutrients are useful in optimizing brain performance and mental alertness. Walnuts, almonds, yoghurt, eggs, lecithin, spirulina and green tea are few best foods for brain health that helps in protecting brain from oxidation. Along with healthy diet, one should also drink plenty of water in order to flush toxins out of the body.

·         Physical activity

Daily exercise is helpful in increasing the blood flow throughout the system, including brain and nervous system. Adequate amount of blood is supplied to the brain for proper functioning that helps sharpen your memory. For healthy adults, medical experts recommend at least 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise. Brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, weight-bearing, strength training and other aerobic activities are helpful for brain health.

·         Ward off stress

Stress is a brain’s worst enemy as it kills brain cells and depresses the natural abilities of nervous system. Prolonged stress destroys brain chemicals and damages a particular region of the brain called as Hippocampus, where the formation of new skills and memory are produced. So it becomes important for a person to manage stress in an effective manner by being optimistic and indulging in good works that gives him/her great satisfaction. Yoga and meditation also helps a lot in managing stress, as they enhance the cerebral cortex and activate brain cells which are required for mental performance and memory.

·         Brain exercises

Giving a workout to your brain will help develop innumerable neural pathways that further help in enhancing memory and mental functions. Mental activities help your brain get in shape and may keep memory problems like dementia away. Try to indulge in some mental activities like playing crossword puzzles or chess, reading books, playing musical instruments, making pottery, juggling, knitting, etc. These brain workouts help in stimulating the neurotransmitters that are useful in proper functioning of brain.

·         Laughter therapy

You must have heard many times that “laughter is the best medicine”, and this adage holds true not only for body but also for brain and memory. Listening to jokes and laughing at them activates endorphins in the brain that are essential for learning and creativity. Also, laughing helps people socialize more freely and efficiently. One can join a laughter club or spend time with playful people to activate brain chemicals.

·         Sleep well

Sleep is an integral part of each and every person on the face of the earth, as many important things take place during sleep, such as consolidating your memories, calming the brain, mental peace, repair and regeneration of bodily tissues, including brain. So getting adequate amount of sleep should be your priority in order to improve your memory. According to health experts, a person should get at least eight hours of sleep on daily basis.