In whatever you do and think, it is the responsibility of the brain. It makes you come up with different ideas, helps your muscles move, and stores the memories of your life. Depending on how important things are, their memories are stored either in their short- or long-term memory.
The function of the brain is at its highest potential in an individual’s early 20s, then will start to decline from then on. When you’re in your 40s, you may begin to notice minor changes in your ability to remember simple tasks or a piece of information. Usually, the ageing brain gets lower blood flow and gets less efficient.
Memory Loss, Cognitive Impairment, and Ageing
As one ages, you experience physiological changes in your body that can lead to slight impairment in brain function. You notice it takes longer for you to learn and recall such pieces of details and information. You’re not as quick-wit as you were. But at most times, you would remember things when you least expect them.
While memory loss is sometimes unavoidable, you can’t be major unless you have a still-occurring brain injury or a mental problem. Age-associated memory impairment is just a very mild memory loss that most people experience, especially when they’re over 50. People with this kind of memory loss can still do daily tasks normally, and they can still practice better cognitive function.
You’d for sure notice if this impairment develops into a mild cognitive malfunction. They can no longer remember recent events, like conversations and activities. While they can still remember long-term memories, they forget important schedules, appointments, or social gatherings. Their attention and ability to do regular tasks are still unaffected. But in approximately three years, it can develop into dementia.
Moderate to extreme memory loss can be a sign of brain irregularities that can show up on a PET or MRI scan. If you have a loved one who suffers from these conditions, be sure to know when you can ask for a professional’s help.
Taking Care of Your Brain Health as You Age
The fact that ageing and a slight memory loss won’t hurt. This also doesn’t mean that we can’t avoid cognitive impairment. There are ways to fight the chance of age-related mental disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
-
Exercise regularly
This is the most common and most effective way of living a healthy lifestyle, no matter what ailment you’re trying to treat. It can be just a daily walk in the park or go heavy in the gym once in a while. As long as it doesn’t lack or exceed, it’s an excellent way to start being healthy.
Physical exercise ensures regulation of part of the body. It helps regulate cholesterol levels, blood sugar, and blood pressure. This already helps in avoiding or treating heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. It also helps control stress levels and mental health. With regular exercising, the number of blood vessels increases, bringing oxygen-rich blood to the brain that is responsible for how you think.
-
Eat healthily
Now, this doesn’t mean that you must switch your lifestyle drastically unless you have to. Eating healthily means knowing what your body needs and take in foods and nutrients that it most needs. It’s not bad to eat anything as long as it doesn’t harm you. People’s bodies have different needs, lifestyles, and environments. Eating everything in moderation is key.
-
Stay mentally sharp
While it’s crucial to stay physically active, it is just as important to keep your mental health sharp. Getting quality sleep, caring about your own feelings, and regulating and treating mood disorders can help you improve your ageing. Do a lot of brain exercises, such as solving puzzles or playing mystery video games.
Test your multitasking skills as much as you can because this exercise will improve your memory as you get older. You will thank yourself one day.
-
Avoid too much contact with technology
Since technology has been taking over people’s lives, the least you can do is avoid the internet when you can. Such as putting your phone away before you sleep and when you’re talking to your friends and family.
Research says that while certain apps and video games can improve brain health, too much access can cause harmful consequences. Including attention deficiency, impaired emotional and social intelligence, social isolation, internet addiction, anxiety and depression, insomnia, and impaired brain development.
Many people don’t realize until they age that brain health has always been important right from the beginning. You don’t think taking care of your brain health is necessary until you’re experiencing mental decline, memory loss, or other cognitive changes. Memory loss might be inevitable when ageing, but taking care of your brain health is still necessary.
