What can one do to improve one's memory?

[Bertha Venation]

Seriously. My poor memory is affecting my life quite negatively. :banghead:

[MorningGlow]

1. Who are you, and why are you on my computer screen?

:hi:

[old mark]

2. I used to know the answer, but I forgot.....

Start playing games, lke crosswords, Soduko (whatever), that give you the opportunity to think a bit. Don't use the "Ginko-Biloba" or the flavor of the month suppliment - they improve only the bank accounts of the sellers.

EVERYONE's memory function changes a bit with age - it's not really a sign of impending doom.

You are probably giving it more worry than it is worth, BV - take things a little easier.

:hi:

mark

[av8rdave]

3. I've found I write things down more...and the act of writing helps remembering a lot

Sorry it's troubling you. I think we all go through this as we age.

I'll never forget the birthday card my parents gave me on my 40th.

Front: Are you starting to forget where you put things?

Inside: Makes for really weird sex, doesn't it?

I am surprised to this day that I got that from my parents, as my mom was extremely prudish on the whole sex thing. If I hadn't produced a couple of kids, she would have gone to her grave thinking I was a virgin.

[raccoon]

4. Take Aricept. nt

[Blue Diadem]

5. Bertha, have you talked with a Dr?

There are some vitamins that can affect your memory. I'm taking B-12 and Vit. D. and it's helped my memory considerably. I've been tested for both and was borderline low with B-12 and deficient in D. From what I understand, the D deficiency seems to be a pretty common one now due to sunscreens and people not getting out in the sun during the day. Also hormones can affect your memory as well.

[justabob]

6. They say doing things like crossword puzzles helps nt

[NJmaverick]

7. First make sure the doctor says you are in good health

then after that the best thing you can do is excercise your memory. Do crossword puzzles, take a class and learn something new like a new langauge. The mind is very similar to a muscle in that it has to be excercised to keep it in good shape.

[quakerboy]

8. hire an assistant

and actually listen to them.. that second part is very vital, as my boss has proven many a time, and not in good ways.

[rug]

9. Lie.

[kentauros]

10. I've had really good results with Ginkgo Biloba

It's great :)
I haven't taken it in a while, but what I would do for greater absorption (and because I have trouble swallowing pills) was to empty the contents of one daily dose, or 3 capsules) into my morning smoothie. That way, I would neither taste it nor have to worry about stuck pills.

There's some good information in the following article about other factors involved in memory. Looks like a good read :)

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/08/27/adrenals.aspx

[Dora]

11. See a doctor.

A coworker was terrified by changes to her memory. She was forgetting to go to events, and forgetting recent conversations.

She saw a doctor, and the memory problems were related to her thyroid issues. Those have been addressed, and her memory has improved.

[frogmarch]

12. Exercise helps me. I walk

outside or on the treadmill for a couple of miles almost every day. My mind gets sluggish when I'm feeling overweight and lethargic, so I make a point of staying at least moderately active physically. I also try to keep my brain active, either by learning new pieces on one of my musical instruments or studying something interesting. Lately I've been learning what I can about physics and astronomy. I'm also studying Irish Gaelic so I can sing the lyrics to some beautiful, old Irish airs.

I'm 65, exactly the same age as John Kerry. I figure if he can hang in there mentally, so can I, dammit. :-)

[Symarip]

13. Drink until you pass out.

It won't help your memory, but you'll stop giving a shit which is, in my opinion, a higher state of zen.

[Iggo]

14. We told you already.

'Member?

[Dr. Strange]

15. Must. resist. urge. to. copycat.

:yoiks: