The
brain, as one of the most important body organs as well as the control center
of your life and well-being, undergoes changes, resulting in memory decline.
The degree of decline varies in individuals due to their differences in
lifestyle and their genetic makeup. Memory loss is an impediment, but do not
let it be your stumbling block in the rest of your life journey.
Senior moments
The
human mind declines and memories start to wane after the age of 30 or so. As many people hit middle age, they
often start to notice that their memory and mental clarity are not what they
used to be. They suddenly cannot remember where they put their keys or
eyeglasses just a moment ago, or an old acquaintance's name or even the name of
an old band they used to love. As the brain fades, they euphemistically refer
to these occurrences as “senior moments.” Senior moments are becoming
increasingly annoying and even frustrating as you continue in your aging
process.
Have you, too, experienced your senior moments?
Frailty of memory may be due to many factors,
including brain damage, alcohol and nicotine use, constipation, and dehydration
(common among seniors due to their reduced consumption of water for fear of
incontinence), depression, and pharmaceutical drugs (especially those
anesthetic agents, benzodiazepines, and among others).
The
storage of information in the brain hinges on consciousness. First of
all, you must be fully conscious of its importance before you will
decide to store it. If you think it is really important, then you must
put it away in a safe place where you can easily retrieve it later. Finally,
when you want to retrieve it, you must know or remember where to look
for it. It is all about consciousness.
In
the scenario of not knowing where you have put your keys or eyeglasses, first
and foremost, you must make an immediate deliberate mental note that
you will need your keys or eyeglasses as soon as you take them off; then, be conscious
of the place where you put them, for example, right next to your
cell phone or in front of the TV; when you need to find them, you can readily recall
the place where you put them.
Of
course, another option is to put your keys or eyeglasses in an assigned place,
where you can always find them, but that will not help you remember where
you put them. In addition, it may not always be possible to put them in the
same place all the time. The bottom line: learn to be conscious of any new information you want to retrieve later, and
make a deliberate effort to remember where you store that information.
You must always train your mind for better memory. Just practice this
consciousness not just for your keys or eyeglasses but for all other things.
With more practice, you will soon find that your memory has significantly
improved, instead of having deteriorated further due to lack of use!
Managing memory-loss
problems
Memory-loss problems may
often interfere with your daily living throughout the rest of your life. The good news is
that numerous conditions associated with memory impairment are treatable and
even reversible, especially when the conditions causing the delirium are
successfully addressed, such as deficiency in vitamin B12,
autoimmune diseases, and depression. However, when these memory-loss conditions
remain untreated for more than six months to a year, clinical experience has suggested that the prognosis
for full recovery of memory function may become slim and the damage to mental
health may be even permanent and irreversible.
To manage your
memory-loss problems, you may try mnemonic aids (use of lists and reminders)
and self-cuing. Use visual cues and mental associations to “jog” your memory.
Learn to process new
information step by step, and one step at a time, to allow yourself more time
to get the hang of it.
Avoid prescription drugs
wherever possible. Over-the-counter drugs, such as sleeping pills, and
antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Tylenol PM, contain
dangerous chemicals, which may cause memory loss or decline. Anti-anxiety
medications and antidepressants may also have adverse side effects on the
brain. Avoid them as much as possible.
Go off the beaten track to break
your old habits from time to time in order to stimulate your brain cells.
According to Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer, Director of the Cleveland Clinic
Lou Ruvo
Center
Engage in challenging endeavors,
such as crossword puzzles, adult learning, or learning a musical instrument.
Reduce stress, which interferes with
concentration and staying focused. Anxiety dampens your mental ability,
especially your memory skills to recall stored information.
Learn to use the Chinese Tai Chi breathing to inhale memories
and exhale worries. Tai Chi not only de-stresses you but also enhances
your mental alertness, in particular, your memory power. Change the incorrect
way you breathe to avoid breathing difficulties, which are common among the
elderly. Learn the correct way to breathe for total relaxation.
Use meditation to relax your body
and mind for better memory enhancement.
Apply the principle of
"present-mindedness" to avoid absent-mindedness and to focus on the
present moment. You just need to be aware of an action while it is
taking place, and not after it has already taken place, because it will
be too late by then. This “present awareness” can be applied to almost anything
you do in your daily life. What you need is to practice consciousness and
concentration.
Of course, the best and
most effective way to manage your memory is to use it, instead of
relying on cues or reminders.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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