Preventing Memory Loss
At what age should I be concerned with memory loss?
Some memory loss can take place between the ages of twenty and thirty, forty. So, when you start to recognize some memory loss, that's when you should be starting to be concerned about how your brain's functioning and start creating your mental exercises and systems to ward off--whether it be senility, dementia, and so much talk about Alzheimer's Disease. And recent studies, people who keep their minds active, who can actually ward off senility or dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. And a classic example: I had a friend who was ninety-seven years of age and he was on the front page of the Los Angeles Times. And the article read "Memory expert turns ninety-seven and his mind is still young." His name? Dave Roth, and it talked about how he remembered six hundred members of the Rotary Clubs by name, phone number, addresses, wives' names. And, keep in mind, he used to tell me and my students, and he himself, when he was lecturing about memory would say, "You've got to exercise your mind like you'd exercise a muscle, and your mind will grow stronger and stronger." And he's a classic example. Ninety-seven years of age and his mind is still young.
Why do I lose my memory when taking a test?
I'll give you an example of why you lose your memory when taking a test. You study really hard for the examination. You remembered everything the night before. You go into the classroom, you're taking the exam and all of the sudden the information isn't coming back the way it did the night before. You walk out of the examination room, the stress is kind of relieved, however the information starts to flow again. Now, it's a little too late. You can't go back and tell the professor, "I knew it the night before." That stress has blocked your mind temporarily. All of the sudden it's as clear as a bell, as it was the night before the test, when you got out of the classroom. Stress does block your mind and memory.
How does worrying affect my memory?
Worrying can affect your memory, the more you worry, the more your mind wanders away from remembering certain things. So try not to worry and it will increase your memory.
How does post traumatic stress syndrome affect my ability to remember?
Post traumatic stress syndrome is blocking the unpleasant experience, whether it be an auto accident or a war experience, where the mind wants to disassociate in a actual way, with the pain that you went through, thus creating a memory loss. Many times the memory could have been buried years ago, it's way back in the memory but it can still affect your current function of today's every-day life. So, once that is relieved, the memory will actually come back to it's level – but it's something that people should be aware of. Too much trauma or too much shock to the mind and the body, and the system itself can affect your memory.
How can weight loss improve my memory?
Weight loss not only affects the body, but affects the mind and memory because socially the person feels much better about themselves. They're connecting with more people and they feel like "Wow, I feel like I'm 18 years old again! I feel like a million dollars! I want to go out dancing, I want to run on the beach! And I feel great." And of course, feeling great affects your memory, and the memory is the function of the mind and body all at the same time.
In what ways do positive experiences improve memory?
Your positive experiences improve the memory because you feel like your alive in these positive experiences. Your mind functions much better. I gave an exercise to a young attorney the other day and she was saying, "I got to my office and I couldn't believe how my mind was working. It was like, bing, bing, bing. I knew where everything was. I kept thinking there was a million things happening at one time because I've got these techniques working for me and all of a sudden - wow!" Get into the positive flow of experience and feeling great, and you will have a better memory.
What are "endorphins" and how do they affect my memory?
Endorphins are a chemical reaction that comes into the brain and actually stimulates the brain cells that are creating more connections, the synapses. It's almost like little sparks in your brain. You don't know what's happening, but it's happening like "zoom," a computer. You hit the button and all of a sudden everything is working in your brain. So keep the oxygen coming, get the right diet, and just ward off aging. You want to be sharp at 8 and 9 as you were 3 and 4. You can actually take 2 years off your memory by just doing these few simple exercises and having fun at the same time.
How can physical activity improve my ability to remember?
Physical activity can improve your memory. For example, with stretching and exercise, you're getting more blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Physical activity is warding off stress, it's warding off anxiety. You feel better because the body has more vitality coming through it, and it can actually sharpen your memory. A very important point: doing these exercises every day or three or four times a week can improve your memory and ward off a decline in memory. Keep it moving - exercise your mind like you exercise a muscle and you'll feel great about yourself.
Can higher education improve my memory?
Higher education can improve your memory in your later years, because it causes you to think in an active way and concentrate on your studies. Taking courses, keeping the brain active, discussing the subject and keeping the mind from atrophying is a good way to improve your memory. In other words, with atrophies, when people who don't use their brain, their brain will actually shrink. People who work with their brain in their later years will increase the size of their brain. The brain will create new brain cells as you're actively working with the brain. Learning something new everyday will create new neuro connections in your mind. Everything is related - one thing is connected to the other - so you are getting more chemicals through the brain because you are concentrating more. You'll feel better about yourself and you can share these experiences with your friends. You'll be amazed; they're going to learn, you're going to learn and you'll be a happier person.
Does sleep affect my ability to remember?
People who don't have the correct amount of sleep will feel that it affects their memory. To avoid sleep deprivation, you should be getting seven or eight hours' sleep a night. Then you'll find that you're more relaxed and that your brain functions at a higher level. Lack of sleep creates fatigue and fatigue creates stress. Getting the right amount of sleep creates a better mood, a better attitude, and with less fatigue comes more energy. Indeed the more energy you have, the better your memory's going to function.
How can I maintain a strong memory throughout my life?
How late in life can I develop new brain cells?
There is no true age factor. You can be 70, 80, 90. There is not age factor. It's starting to get the brain functioning again, like you did when you were 2 and 3 years of age. The brain literally will grow. You can add more brain cells by getting the correct nutrients and exercise, visual and mental exercises, and you'll find your brain will actually be younger at any age.
What is "neurogenesis"?
Neurogenesis is a medical term describing how the neurons make new connections in the brain, and new connections in the brain bring about a better memory. When you're doing these exercises and getting your brain functioning to a higher level, you get better connections, better neurogenesis.
