How Do You Keep Your Memory Sharp?
By villageanne
@villageanne (8553)
United States
February 23, 2008 1:25am CST
I have to admit, sometimes I think my memory is totally gone. I can go to another room to get something and by the time I get there - I have forgotten what I wanted to get. LOL This is beginning to happen more and more. According to Karen Schroeder, MS, RD there are things that we can do to keep our minds sharp.
Here are a few of the things that she suggests doing on a regular basis:
Crossword puzzles (use a dictionary if you need it; you'll learn more that way)
Brainteasers
Crafts, such as wood working and sewing
Hobbies, such as gardening and building model airplanes
Socializing – visit old friends or join groups to meet new ones
Reading – a newspaper, a novel, a magazine, anything
Learning a new language
Taking a class, whether it be art history or Tai chi
Traveling – experience the food, history, and culture of your destination
Learning to use a computer
Going to museums, the theater, or thought-provoking movies
Changing things in your daily life, such as reversing your pattern in the grocery store or brushing your teeth using your non-dominant hand.
What do you do to keep your memory sharp?
15 people like this
37 responses
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
23 Feb 08
Try taking folic acid because it is good for memory.Study shows that it is helpful in prevention of Alzheimers.The best source-green leafy vegetables like malunggay of the philippines or Moringa oleifera as scientific name.
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
24 Feb 08
I do take folic acid but have only began to do so in the last couple months. Wonder how long it takes before you can tell a difference?
@asawanialvin0611 (1877)
• Philippines
2 Mar 08
people say that when i advised them before the exam, they pass their tests very well.
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
23 Feb 08
I play alot of meomory games online myself and also quiz games like who wants to be a millonare and jeopardy.I watch these games on t.v. a lot also. Crossword puzzles are great also.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
24 Feb 08
These are wonderful ways to keep your memory sharp. Crosswords puzzles are supposed to be one of the best ways.
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
24 Feb 08
I have found what works for me when it comes to names is to repeat the name when I am introduced to them. It works for me.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
23 Feb 08
Lately I have been playing brain age on Nintendo DS and scrabble online. I like suduko and crossword puzzles too, not good at them but I try. I even watch the crossword show on tv sometimes.
@emrald1 (48)
• India
23 Feb 08
Hey! To me i think these are few great ways in which you could excercise your brain:-
Solve puzzles, sudoku's, crosswords etc.
Play a musical instrument.
Paint, sketch or draw.
Learn a new language.
Learn how to juggle.
Play Chess, Backgammon, Checkers or even Go!
Play computer games.
Write poetry, short story or even a blog.
Travel.
Hope it helps!! All the very best.
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
24 Feb 08
Those are wonderful ideas. Thanks for sharing htem with the rest of us
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
28 Feb 08
well i dont do anything...maybe on the food i eat or on mostly on the things i always do..which fortunately you had mentioned above..
@shalini4shankar (3)
• India
6 Mar 08
I like to make myself very stronger in the upcoming softwares & technologies as far as possible to update my brain, I love to solve mathematics puzzle, read & watch news, while reading news I use dictionary to improve my vocabs.. Since I'm homemaker I prepare budget list to save the money.. By this way I keep my mind engaged and utilized!
@shraddhaswnt211 (418)
• India
27 Feb 08
Thanks for sharing this stuff...Considering me..I usually keep my memory sharp by doing a simple exercise....just before goin to bed recollect whatever small things you did throughout the day even the minute moments dat you shared with your friends,family...This revision of daily course activities makes our brain sharp..definitely and has long term fruitful effects...
@izathewzia (5134)
• Philippines
27 Feb 08
I engage in forum like this one, I read a lot of articles, I write short stories & anecdotes, i watch tv, I listen to radio and I make a lot of conversation. Making our sharp mind in about using it. It helps prevent Alzheimer's in old age.
@Britelite (148)
• Singapore
27 Feb 08
Consuming Ginkgo (Nuts) as supplements regularly and playing Tower of Hanoi (brain training game) helps a great deal.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
24 Feb 08
I am an oldster and I do cryoquotes, crossword puzzles. jigsaw puzzles, read a lot. books. magazines, and keep a semi monthly date with my best friend who is seventy and a diabetic like myself. I am sort of isolated as we moved about amile from downtown and I had retired from my work in the library so I need that friendship and that socializing to keep from going bananasand having too many senior moments when I forget what I was going to do.Also I spent a lot of time goofing around on the computer and doing surveys for which I make from five to ten dollars. I just do not want to become anothe alzheimer victim.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160491)
• United States
23 Feb 08
The worst thing I do for my brain is to get overtired. The best thing is probably to be around children. I also sing, learn new music. I love to learn new things. I think relaxing, enjoying your family, home and pets is also important. I probably only get a C when it comes to brain and memory health.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
24 Feb 08
I am learning Italian and Spanish and doing crossword puzzles. I am also reading a lot, and writing a novel. I joined that Pogo sight and doing some of the puzzles, and the word game. When it is warm, I go different ways to the Mall, I do a lot of socializing, writing, etc. I will try brushing my teeth with my right hand. It might be rather difficult. I am not that good at crafts though. I seem to be rather a clutch. I do find if I do not repeat something or pay close attention, then I forget it, but sometimes I wish I would not pay attention too deeply. There are things that I would rather forget.
1 person likes this
@ChampagneGiggles (699)
• United States
24 Feb 08
Sudoku! I love sudoku. I also play word or number games that involve patterns. I time myself when I do crosswords, and I do them in pen. Yes, I do have to cross a few letters out, but hey. And instead of taking classes (who has that much time?), I teach my son different things I read. He doesn't understand it all yet, but repeating it to someone else is a great way to remember and stretch your mind. I also try to make a point of finding something positive and something negative in each day's paper and discussing it with a coworker or friend. Basically finding something interesting and running with it works for me.
1 person likes this
@lexus54 (3572)
• Singapore
23 Feb 08
Hello anne, you provided a very good list of activities to keep the mind sharp and working. Some other activities I can think of are writing and designing things, keeping your mind actively engaged by working, and even watching TV. I live with my mother-in-law and she is already 85 years old. Her memory is not great and she is weak in the legs, so she does not go out of the house on her own. But what is does daily is jigsaw puzzles. She has been doing this for more than 10 years now. It is a very good activity to keep her brain cells working and stimulated. Without this, I think her memory will be much worse than what it is. For me, I do exercising, spend much time on the computer each day, read a lot and do creative things with computer graphics. I occasionally also like playing computer games to stimulate my mind, and travel at least twice a year. I intend to keep my mind active as long as I can, so my computer will be my constant companion even as I get older towards my retirement years.
1 person likes this
@joyangz32 (322)
• Netherlands
23 Feb 08
Thanks! I do sometimes read newspaper. I watch word game, news on tv. I learn also through discussions here in mylot.
I think I need to do more things for my memory. Sometimes I forget things. It has nothing to do with getting older, right?
@comfort55 (1574)
• India
24 Feb 08
Its a very good topic. I read a lot,have joined hobby classes to keep my mind active, take a walk every evening, do some yoga .Sometimes working with non-dominant hand is also a good idea.
1 person likes this
