What are some brain activites that people can do to help prevent memory lost?

Question

One of my friends is pretty young and is experianceing memory loss, when before she was pretty quick. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Hi jroman, Try keeping a diary. write down a few things about each day. At the end of each week, read what you have written. Try to relive what you have written down. Not only will you test your memory, you may also find that you have captured some memories that you can enjoy reading about for years to come. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

Someone who has been traumatized, seeing or experiencing something extremely out of the ordinary, possibly violence or the destruction of say, a tornado, or been in a bad car accident -- can have memory loss. Too much going on in her life, too fast can be very stressful. So can loss of a relationship.
I, myself experienced memory loss after a whip-lash in a car accident. These are some of the things I have done that have helped me.
-Lower my daily stress, limit the number of things I do each day, and limit what I expect of myself in situations where I must respond quickly. Work on only one thing at a time, without a deadline.
-find something to do that helps you concentrate. I use a video game when I'm having difficulties. Pulling away from the stress of a chore, I am able to focus on my eye-hand responses to the movements of colorful balls on the computer. Later I can return to my chores and perform my work better, and with less stress. My memory makes less mistakes when I do this often.
-Some people use crossword puzzles as a brain exercise. They have been proven to help older people's brain function and memory.
-Some medications can be disruptive to memory.

You may find it helpful to speak with a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist (brain dr.) They may be able to better help you to identify the reason behind the memory problems, and with expertise, direct her in more focused activities to assist memory.

Answer 3

Hello,
I agree with your previous responder. Your friend should be checked out by her primary medical provider, and follow his/her advice regarding any necessary tests, evaluations or interventions, since many many medical and/or emotional problems can impair memory functions. So can use of certain medications, nutritional supplements, or even an unhealthy diet or too little/too much fluid intake. Sometimes the medical answers can be quite simple and easily corrected, but sometimes memory loss can be the main presenting symptom for more serious health conditions. Particularly in a younger person with no previous memory difficulties, medical, emotional, environmental and social problems should be ruled out before anything else is done.
If we assume that your friend is medically and emotionally sound, and if we assume she is not using any illicit drugs or alcohol to excess, and if we assume she is not the victim or any major trauma (assault, abusive relationships, etc.), then, what can anyone do to retain/improve memory skills?
There are many things. Anything that engages our minds and makes us think will keep our brain "exercised" and help maintain its functions longer. The brain is not muscle tissue, so physical work-outs will not make the brain "stronger". However, physical exercise (in moderate amounts) HAS been shown in many studies to improve blood flow, provide more oxygen and fuel to the brain, and increase the number of connections between nerve cells in the brain, which will keep this most vital organ functioning as best it can. Reading (not just blogs, but things like novels, newspapers, poetry, etc.) causes our brain to work harder to retain the plots and events, and to process and understand the words and their meanings and overall message, so "exercises" our mental faculties. So do things like writing, journaling, listening to or, if you know how, playing music, hobbies requiring hand-eye coordination such as certain sports or pastimes also keep our minds alert and active. For some people, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, search and find games, trivia games, board games or party games in which we have to really "think", not just react, can help with memory and overall brain functioning. A simple act such as a good laugh actually helps our brains work better by releasing certain activating chemicals in our central nervous system.
Learning a new subject (maybe take some classes, learn a new hobby or skill, photography, scrapbooking), taking ourselves mentally to new places and areas (either with new knowledge, or with mental skills such as relaxation, meditation, chanting, etc. prayer for many people) can help. Things as simple as card games where strategy is important (hearts, spades, rummy, pinochle, bridge, Uno, etc.) also help us improve or at least maintain memory functions. Trivia games or word association games also are helpful tools.
One of the most overlooked things which can positively effect our overall brain function is adequate and healthy sleep. Americans as a population are generally sleep-deprived and put off sleep because they've JUST GOT to get ..... done before bedtime. Too little sleep for too long will slow all our brain functions and processes.
There are literally hundreds of other interventions your friend could try. Maybe just what I'm doing now, trying to get outside myself by answering questions others ask, makes me think and be creative, and hopefully will help the questioner and me as well.
Good luck to your friend.

Answer 4

If she is fairly young to be experiencing this it is probably due to stress and/or depression and a lack of rest. She should consult a doctor.