Tools to Help Memory

Short term memory loss happens for a variety of reasons. Most people have problems remembering things at one time or another. Substance abuse, brain injuries, medical conditions and aging can all cause short term memory problems. Tools focused on the cause of memory loss can be helpful in sharpening the mind.

Healthy Lifestyle

• Living a healthy lifestyle is a crucial part of improving memory. Sleep is one important part of that healthy lifestyle. Our brains need a sufficient amount of sleep to think clearly, stay alert and remember things. Adults need an average of 7 1/2 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Exercise is another important part of a healthy lifestyle. Getting physical exercise can increase the amount of oxygen that goes to your brain, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and enhance brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, that are beneficial to memory. Memory problems occur when these neurotransmitters are low or unbalanced.

Supplements

• Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is important for brain health but may not be enough to help with memory problems, so this is where supplements can come in. Ginkgo biloba is a supplement derived from Ginkgo biloba tree leaves, and when taken daily, can be beneficial for your memory. Fish oil supplements are another type of supplement that have been recommended for individuals with memory problems. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in fish, is what makes fish oil so helpful to memory.

Learning

• Continuing to learn new things helps to stimulate your brain, which then helps improve your memory. Stimulating your brain can be done by learning to play a musical instrument that you have never played before, taking a new route to your normal destination or using your subordinate hand to do everyday tasks, such as unlocking your front door. All of these things force your brain to think and work, helping to exercise the brain and increase memory.

Activities

• Our brains need mental exercise just as much as our body needs physical exercise. Doing activities that stimulate our brain can help to prevent memory loss. Reading every day can really help to exercise the brain. Visit your local library and check out books that will keep you interested. Do puzzles, such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku or play computer games, including Free Cell Solitaire, Bejeweled and Shape Shifter to help improve your memory. Some video games have even been created to stimulate our brains, such as Brain Age and Brain Age 2.