It can’t be denied that the average person has a lot to remember. Passwords, schedules and payment dates are just a few of the crucial things we keep stored in our respective memories. However, due to stress, lack of sleep and a variety of other factors, our memories can sometimes leave a lot to be desired. So, if poor memory is a regular problem for you, you’d do well to get on top of the issue posthaste. Anyone looking to improve their memory in a timely manner should consider the following measures.
Embrace Healthy Sleep Habits
Many of us keep sleep schedules that leave a lot to be desired. Instead of going to bed within a set window of time each night, a fair number of people keep wildly fluctuating hours. Such behavior is particularly common amongst individuals who have unpredictable work schedules or lack a sense of general structure in their lives.
Regardless of the reasons behind your unhealthy sleep habits, consistently failing to get enough sleep stands to impact your focus and memory – among many other things. With this in mind, make a point of adhering to a more structured sleep schedule. This entails giving yourself a bedtime that allows for at least seven to eight hours of sleep and getting up at roughly the same time each day. For best results, try to stick with your new sleep schedule during weekends and vacation periods.
Stay Organized
When every facet of your life is plagued by disorganization, your memory is likely to become similarly disorganized. As such, if you keep a perpetually messy home or workspace, now is the time to start getting things in order. The more organized your life is, the less spotty your memory is likely to be. Even if you’re not keen on the idea of undertaking such an ambitious organization effort, doing so may be a boon to both your memory and sense of focus.
Engage in Mentally Stimulating Pastimes
Improving your memory doesn’t always have to entail putting in large amounts of work. For example, engaging in mentally stimulating pastimes can be a great way to show yourself a good time while staving off cognitive decline. So, if you’re currently on the hunt for a new hobby, consider taking up reading, writing, music-making or any other pastime that keeps you mentally stimulated.
Minimize Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Stress, anxiety and depression are all-too-common in today’s hectic world. While everyone feels these emotions at one time or another, it’s important to seek help if they become all-consuming. In addition to making day-to-day functionality an absolute nightmare, the aforementioned emotions stand to facilitate memory problems.
If you’re constantly plagued by stress, anxiety or depression, you should start taking active measures to preserve your mental health. Seeking out therapy, counseling or other mental health services can be particularly helpful in this endeavor. A knowledgeable mental health professional will be able to diagnose the underlying cause(s) of your issues, provide you with a sympathetic ear and dispense invaluable advice on how to cope with a wide variety of problems. If you’re afraid of cost acting as an impediment, look for therapists and counselors who charge on a sliding scale. Conversely, if you have a health insurance policy that covers mental health services, consider limiting your options to mental health professionals who are in-network.
See Your Doctor
Since memory problems are sometimes attributable to serious underlying issues, you should get in touch with your doctor if your memory has been spotty for a fair amount of time. If the root cause of your memory problems isn’t particularly serious, your physician will be able to provide you with peace of mind. Furthermore, they’re likely to recommend an effective treatment plan that’s uniquely suited to someone of your age and lifestyle. Depending on what’s causing your memory issues, brain supplements may prove helpful. Alternatively, if a neurological disability is at the heart of the problem, take care to look into disability insurance.
Sometimes, it seems like we’re expected to retain so much information that our brains are likely to burst. Between passwords, crucial dates, work deadlines and many other items of importance, the average memory is consistently put through its paces. It should come as no surprise, then, that engaging in behaviors that have been shown to impede memories stands to create big problems. So, if your memory could stand to see some improvement, put the previously discussed tips to good use.