Mental Health: Check out five tips to boost your memory

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Memory is a cognitive skill that allows us to acquire, retain and retrieve the information we receive. The storage process consists of obtaining this knowledge from the external environment — when we read a book or attend a class, for example — and fix it in our mind so that we can refer to it later, when necessary.

It is through memories that we build our social identity and record our life experiences and our relationships with other people.

“Memory has its function beyond the limits of cognitive activity, being able to interact with other brain functions with a certain intimacy, such as creativity, affection, motivation and emotion”, explains Thais Bento Lima Silva, gerontologist, neuroscientist and scientific partner of the Supera Method of gymnastics for the brain.

Memory can be classified according to its temporality as short-term (MCP) and long-term (MLP).

In general, long-term memory is the one that stores memories of important episodes that mark our life, such as the birth of a child or the wedding day, for example.

Short-term memory, on the other hand, works when we learn something new and retains the information for a shorter time, until it is forgotten or saved. Within short-term memory, there is working memory, responsible for the temporary storage of information for the execution of cognitive tasks such as reading, calculation, planning and conversation.

“Any exercise that stimulates the brain can be a facilitator to help preserve memory. At first, it may sound like something complex to be developed and applied, but the exercises can be very simple and turn into good times for the elderly person. and their families”, says Thais.

Here are some expert tips to boost memory.

Organize a photo album

In addition to photographs, the album can gather postcards, letters, event tickets, invitations, or anything else that can trigger the person’s biographical memory. “Create a timeline of memories to facilitate the understanding of events, with date and place”, says the gerontologist.

practice gardening

The interesting thing about this activity is that it includes many cognitive functions, such as memory, sensation, perception, planning, organization, attention, concentration, olfactory memory, in addition to promoting well-being for both the individual and his family/caregiver.

Practice cooking

Cooking is a great activity to stimulate memory, attention, planning and, above all, stimulate feelings. It’s not just getting your hands dirty: sounds, smells and flavors will, little by little, bring up memories of reminiscences.

Listen to music

Music stimulates memory, emotions, sensations and moves the body. If the person has good mobility and balance, invite them to dance. It is important to know the person’s musical taste and, from that, create activities that can include some stimuli. Working with music reduces stress, anxiety, and allows stimulation of several important parts of the brain.

have fun with games

Depending on the taste and memory capacity of each one, it is possible to choose between different activities, such as chess, sudoku, memory game, seven mistakes, dominoes, among others. If well guided, games stimulate memory, attention, concentration and executive functions.

Tips for boosting short-term memory

● Do sleep hygiene

● Practice physical activities

● Have a balanced diet

● Control stress and anxiety

● Have an active social life

● Perform cognitive stimulation activities

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