Thoughtful Thursday – Brain Drain

brainThis morning as I was thinking about what this Thoughtful Thursday’s topic might be, I was overwhelmed by the fact that it was already Thursday and that May was almost over. I thought, “Wow, time flies” and I should write about that and then thought, “Duh, you already did!”

Which of course led to today’s topic. Do you feel as if you can’t remember anything lately? That your memory is fading, draining from your brain?

Memory loss as we age is a normal occurrence and sometimes, forgetting things isn’t so much about forgetting, but about being distracted due to the many things we have to juggle. I know the first step to my not forgetting is to make a list to keep track of all those things I have to do!

When should you worry about memory loss? FamilyDoctor.org notes “A memory problem is serious when it affects your daily living. . . you may have a more serious problem if you have trouble remembering how to do things you’ve done many times before, getting to a place you’ve been to often, or doing things that use steps, like following a recipe.”

What can you do to help stay sharp? Newsweek offered up these suggestions in a January 2008 article:

  • 1. Go aerobic. Moderate exercise helps ward off dementia.
  • 2. Play more. Software games, puzzles, etc. help you keep your brain active.
  • 3. Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids.
  • 4. Take Folic Acid.
  • 5. Treat yourself to a glass of wine each day.
  • 6. Relax. Stress produces cortisol which eats away at your memory centers.

I’m going to go practice some of these stay sharp items and do something else — make some lists of what I have to do!

Hope this Thoughtful Thursday was helpful!