News
6 March 2024
Use your noggin this Brain Awareness month
March is Brain Awareness month, so it’s the perfect time to stop and think about how you can look after your memory and all-round brain health.
Many of us have seen first-hand the devastating effects age and disease can have on the brain and memory. While there are currently no cures for debilitating conditions like Alzheimer’s, the good news is that getting older doesn’t have to go hand in hand with memory loss.
Research shows that the human brain grows and changes throughout our lives and we can control three of the four causes of brain aging in just a few minutes a day. And the more you do, the better.
Auckland Brainfit coach Jude Walter says it’s never too late to start strengthening your brain. It’s something we could all benefit from, regardless of age.
“Amid the craziness of life, some forgetting is quite normal but don’t forgive yourself too easily as memory lapses waste huge amounts of time and undermine our confidence and self-belief.”
“Memory is not a single object you can lose – it’s more like a set of abilities that can be continually improved. Remembering is an active process that takes regular practice because when it comes to the brain and memory it really is a case of – use it or lose it!”, says Walter.
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Six top tips for helping to build strong memories and healthy brains
Believe in your memory
Self-belief is essential to a strong healthy brain. You can control three of the four factors that cause brain aging so never say never and don’t be afraid to try new things.
Focus
When you pay attention and actively register details you are creating stronger memory traces. The more memory traces you have, the easier it will be to recall that information later. Think of it like shining a torch on the information you need to recall later.
Connect
Try connecting the information you want to remember to something or someone you already know – it could be an image, a funny story, a song. This will help to further strengthen the memory traces and aid recall.
Rehearse
Repeating the information as soon as possible afterwards is also good for embedding the memory so make a point of telling someone else as soon as you get home or repeat a new person’s name while you are still talking to them.
Seek out variety
Different parts of the brain are activated by different tasks. The key is to try a range of activities on a regular basis as new/different gives your brain a full workout and keeps the mind sharp.
It could be as simple as switching from doing the Sudoku to a jigsaw puzzle once a week, walking to the shops along a different route, trying to memorise your shopping list or adding up the numbers on the number plate in front of you while you sit in traffic. If you can do this, you will see a noticeable improvement in memory in just a few weeks.
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Look after yourself
Good food, water, exercise and sleep are essential for all round health and wellbeing, but they are also extremely good for brain health and memory. Exercise helps to improve blood flow to the brain while water and food fuel the brain, which needs twice as much energy than any other cells in your body!
Written by:
Vanessa Glennie
Vanessa is Head of Communications at Lifetime Retirement Income. She’s an experienced investment writer, having spent more than a decade writing about financial markets in the global fund management industry.
Invest with Lifetime for a retirement income managed for living.