Always Losing Keys? This WEIRD Trick Can Save Your Life

Mental HealthMarch 12, 2018

We all know that as we get older, our memory tends to become weaker – a phenomenon commonly associated with the loss of brain cells. It is true that people lose more than 10,000 brain cells every day once they approach the age of 40, but doctors say that other factors such as anxiety, stress, and poor concentration could contribute more to memory loss than the death of brain cells.

A Bizarre Trick to Help You Remember

Our brain, like any other part of the body, needs exercise to become stronger and function properly, but as we grow older, we tend to work less hard in exercising our brains which results in poor blood circulation in their cells and little mental growth.

But if you constantly forget where you left your car keys, or have trouble remembering names, scientists have discovered a clever trick to give your memory a boost. A study featured in the Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition Journal says that the next time you leave your keys somewhere, try doing something bizarre such as knocking on the table that you put them on.

In the research, participants over the age of 40 who suffered from poor memory and forgetfulness, found it easier to remember whether they took their medicine or not when they did something odd while swallowing the pill such as tapping their foreheads or doing an awkward dance move. Adding certain activities and brain foods to your lifestyle for learning and mental agility won’t only boost your memory but also lower your risk of brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Here are a few ways that you can challenge your brain and keep the neural pathways from withering away in your mature years.

Exercising for Memory Boost

Many studies have shown the benefits of mental exercises for improving memory and creating new neural pathways which improve the overall health of the brain. However, not all types of exercises are equally beneficial for your brain and memory. Scientists have discovered that cardiovascular exercises such as walking, jogging, and running, which increase your heart rate, also have the ability to enhance memory and learning.

Eating Right for Memory Boost

The MIND diet includes tons of dark green veggies that can potentially boost our memory in the long run

Your diet is just as important as exercise to boost your memory and learning skills. Your brain requires a variety of nutrients and vitamins which can be found in fresh fruits and colorful vegetables. Foods rich in antioxidants such as berries, as well as healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, and avocados are considered superfoods since they protect your neural pathways from aging and boost your memory. One of the best diets of 2018 is called the MIND diet. It promotes the consumption of all these above-mentioned foods in moderation, and has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by half in people who follow the diet regularly.

Cognitive exercise

It’s important to continuously challenge your brain by learning a new language or a skill which can reduce the risk of dementia by as much as 75 per cent

Studies show that cognitive exercises are just as important as physical exercises in protecting your brain from aging. Researchers have found a lower risk of dementia and other mental illnesses in people who learn new skills and participate in a range of cognitive activities such as playing chess, reading, and playing musical instruments.

Better Sleep

Just like the rest of your body, your brain can get fatigued by constant activity and needs rest too. People who don’t get enough sleep in their daily routine tend to make poorer decisions, suffer from memory loss and a decline in their productivity during waking hours. Scientists have found that taking short power naps, even for as little as 30 minutes, can make a significant improvement to your cognitive performance and memory. People who napped regularly for 30 to 60 minutes fared better against their non-napping counterparts in a memory test.