We all forget things from time to time: the name of a new acquaintance, where we left our keys, the occasional appointment, etc. It’s perfectly normal. However, as we age, the frequency of such memory lapses tends to increase. All too often, we resign ourselves to this increase, assuming it to be a natural and inevitable part of the aging process. This is simply not the case!
If you or a loved one have noticed an increase in such lapses recently, there are a number of things you can do to reverse the process and preserve your memory for many years to come.
The first memory improvement tip: get plenty of regular aerobic exercise. Don’t worry…you don’t have to run a marathon. Recent studies of adults between the ages of 60 and 80 indicate that just 40 minutes of walking (about 3 miles) 3 times per week improves short-term recall capabilities significantly. The key, it seems, is walking fast and far enough to reach the threshold of aerobic exercise, which is generally considered to be 70 percent of one’s maximum heart rate.
Later in the week, we will talk about nutrition and health tips that help improve memory function.
If you or a loved one has experienced memory lapse and have additional helpful tips to add, please put them in the comments below. We would love to hear from you!