Our brains, just like our bodies, need regular exercise to stay fit and active. Working out the brain regularly through a series of mental exercises improves neuroplasticity- the brain's ability to change and adapt.
Give your brain a workout
Don't skip the physical exercise
While mental exercise is important for brain health, that doesn't mean you never need to break a sweat. Physical exercise helps your brain stay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk for disorders that lead to memory loss, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Get plenty of sleep
Avoid all screens for at least an hour before bed. The blue light emitted by TVs, tablets, phones, and computers trigger wakefulness and suppress hormones such as melatonin that make you sleepy.
Make time for friends
When you think of ways to improve memory, do you think of “serious” activities such as wrestling with the New York Times crossword puzzle or mastering chess strategy, or is it more lighthearted pastimes—hanging out with friends or enjoying a funny movie—that come to mind? If you're like most of us, it's probably the former.
Keep stress in check
Tips for managing stress
– Set realistic expectations (and be willing to say no!)
– Take breaks throughout the day
– Express your feelings instead of bottling them up
– Set a healthy balance between work and leisure time
– Focus on one task at a time, rather than trying to multi-task
You've heard that laughter is the best medicine, and that holds true for the brain and the memory, as well as the body. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas of the brain, laughter engages multiple regions across the whole brain.
Eat a brain-boosting diet
Just as the body needs fuel, so does the brain. You probably already know that a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy” fats (such as olive oil, nuts, fish) and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, but such a diet can also improve memory. For brain health, though, it's not just what you eat—it's also what you don‘t eat.