Like any part of our body, or indeed any working machine. Our brain needs to be exercised and kept in shape for optimal use. Same as we can tone our arms, we can tone up our mental performance. The brain realizes on neuron connectors to make it work, the more they are used, the stronger they become. Indeed we can even change our attitudes and perceptions by strengthening positive thoughts over negative ones.

Keeping your memory should be approached from a dual perspective – we’ll explore exercise here and we looked at nutrition for memory in another article.
Quiet intriguingly, studies of the brains of Catholics nuns, who had lesions consistent with Alzheimer’s, were know not to have any symptoms prior to their passing on. A life of contemplation and study, strong social interaction had helped slow down the symptoms and their memory was not impaired. The brain is a flexible tool and as connections break in one place, and memorylost, it can still be able to rewire new connections and restore those memories.

Word Games

Do the papers Crossword puzzles every day. While you are contemplating the questions, imagine what they are describing. Picture the answers, if you think that it is tomatoes; imagine the taste and the smell of tomato. All of these activities are using different parts of the brain, challenging different senses. The amazing thing about the brain is that imagining something can be as strong a cue as actually doing it. It is how sometimes we wonder whether an event was a dream or actually happened. Your brain cannot tell the difference between a memory and reality. So recalling things can strengthen old memories and your memoryoverall.

Walking.
I love to go out walking, studying nature, the actions of others. Admiring their gardens, looking at them and trying to figure out what the plants are. Many times I probably get it wrong but I’m making my brain work hard, my poor gardening knowledge is another day’s challenge. The colours, the sounds, the images are all stimulating and get your brain working outside of the rut that it may have fallen in to. Your getting it to work on recall and memory.

Memorizing lists
When you make up a shopping list, try to memorize a few of the items while you are going around. When you get one off the aisle, look at the next 2 on the list, repeat them to yourself and go and get them without hopefully looking at the list. Do not get disheartened if you cannot. Rome was not built in a day and your memory will take time to get fit again.

Music

Have you always wanted to play an instrument, take up that flute or guitar? If you are not interested in playing, why not listen to and contemplate differing genres of music. Music is a great stimulant and driver of Brain activity. The Mozart effect is a documented phenomenon where music has been recorded as having an effect on memory and brain activity.

These are just pointers and suggestions, the key message that is common to them all, is keep mentally active. Make sure that you set challenges for yourself each day. Keep that mind and memory fit!