Boosting Memory Power With Age

Exercising the brain throughout one's life is scientifically proven to preserve memory into older age. A brain health study measuring mental agility reports that memory and thinking decline decreased by nearly one-third in participants who frequently engaged in brain-stimulating activities, such as reading and writing. The research also showed those who stay active mentally throughout their lifespan exhibit an even slower rate of brainpower decline.

If you weren't much of a bookworm in school, now is the time to start to keep your thinking and recall in shape. Continued brain research shows that cognitive stimulation protects brain health by building more helpful proteins, supporting new nerve cell growth and enhancing communication between nerve cells.

So what mental workout routines can you do at any age to keep your brain neurons firing well?

• Read books, newspapers, magazine articles, textbooks and most every form of written communication.
• Write as often as you can. Whether you keep a journal, write emails, jot down family history memories or create fictional stories – keep at it.
• Sharpen your vocabulary through a daily words calendar or more challenging reading topics.
• Play chess or brain-stretching board or computer games. Expose yourself to the paces of mental strategy and focus.
• Socialise and verbalise. Talk with others about world events and issues important to you and your community. You don’t have to be a know-it-all, just stay open to interesting conversations without a need to argue.
• Complete regular brain games such as colour match or speed match and word-find challenges. Search “brain games” online or ask your local library to point you toward the brain-training resources.

How conscientious are you of your mental health? What preventative steps are you willing to take to delay the onset of memory illness?