Are you forgetting a lot? 4 Habits Neuroscience Says Can Help

The natural aging process has several implications, one of which is the potential decrease in mental clarity. It is common to come across moments of forgetfulness, such as the names of individuals, places or even yesterday's lunch menu. With age, these lapses tend to occur more frequently. In this context, memory becomes an essential component for maintaining productivity, making important decisions and ensuring success in our professional activities.

Fortunately, there are ways to strengthen memory through healthy practices that can boost memory skills and give you a significant advantage in many aspects of life. Some of these practices include:

• Practicing physical exercises regularly: The constant practice of physical exercises can bring benefits to mental health and brain functioning. Studies reveal that physical activity helps expand the hippocampus, a critical component of the brain responsible for memory consolidation. Also, exercise stimulates blood flow to the brain, favoring the emergence of new neurons and improving synaptic connections.
• Stimulate the mind: Mental exercises such as reading, strategic games and learning new skills can improve memory and cognitive skills. A systematic review of 22 population studies suggested that complex mental activities reduced the risk of incident dementia by 46% over a median period of seven years.
• Adopt a balanced diet: What we consume can play a key role in brain health and performance. As pointed out in an article in the journal Better Nutrition, a regular diet consisting of fish and vegetables can “delay cognitive decline for up to 19 years.” Research that looked at 27,860 people in 40 countries for five years found that those with the healthiest diets were 24% less likely to experience cognitive decline.
• Manage stress: Chronic stress and anxiety can impair memory and cognitive function. Therefore, it is important to practice stress management techniques such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness and relaxing activities.

It is also worth noting the importance of taking regular breaks at work to keep your mind at ease. A 10-minute break is recommended for every 80-120 minutes of brain activity to avoid overstimulation and loss of mental clarity.

Practices such as mindfulness meditation, listening to music, laughing and having fun, or simply taking a walk outside can be excellent ways to replenish your brain. Therefore, encourage your co-workers to adopt these healthy practices as well.

Source: INC