As you age, you may notice some changes in your thinking abilities. Maybe you frequently misplace your keys on your way out the door to grab lunch with girlfriends, or maybe you often can’t remember what you walked into the other room to do. Maybe you have trouble coming up with that certain word you are looking for during a conversation at work. Whatever the case may be, you may feel as though you are not as sharp as you used to be, or that you can’t remember things in detail, details that used to come so natural. Unfortunately, our brains are not exempt from the aging process, and this is a normal experience all women have to face.
What tends to happen as a woman ages is her brains volume gradually begins to shrink. Nerve cells can lose connection and blood flow slows. This is typically what is attributed to loss of the sharpness of your mind. Also with the hormonal imbalance that women go through during menopause, cognitive decline can be especially noticed. On the bright side this has shown to be only temporary and performance usually goes back up when a women reaches post-menopause. Every older woman goes through memory lapses, and unless you are experiencing a significant loss of memory, this is just a normal part of getting older. The good news is that there are ways to help keep your brain sharp and stay on top of your cognitive health.
Challenge Your Brain
A big part of keeping memory loss in check is staying mentally active. Engage in activities that challenge you. Anything from working on a crossword puzzle, learning to play a musical instrument, reading that new bestseller, or mastering a new skill can help keep your mind fit.
Exercise Regularly
Physical activity will not only increase blood flow to the brain, but will also help reduce conditions associated with memory loss, such as high blood pressure. This is a key factor to aid in keeping your memory sharp. Try walking, biking, hiking, or even grabbing a buddy and joining a local aerobics class.
Maintain A Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet that consists of plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help benefit your brain and improve your memory. Try to stay away from saturated fats as much as possible, and stick to lean protein sources that are low in fat.
Do Not Smoke
According to a 2010 National Institutes of health panel, smokers are 41% more likely to show symptoms of cognitive decline. Stay away from smoking at whatever the cost, because it increases your chance for significant memory loss.
Be Social
And last but not least, be social. Get together with family, friends, and the ones you love as much as possible. Schedule weekly dinner dates with girlfriends, or plan an outing for the entire family. Being social helps keep stress and depression levels low which leads to a happier and healthier brain.
By following these tips, research indicates that you can significantly lower your risk of memory loss. You will not only protect, but also improve your mental sharpness. Get a jump on upcoming years today, and be proactive when it comes to your mental health.