We’ve all experienced those moments when we can’t recall the name of someone or something that we absolutely know we know. Most of us have gone on a scavenger hunt for our misplaced keys. From experience, it’s terrifying when I’m driving on autopilot and then suddenly reach my destination without realizing I was nearly there. These episodes are referenced by a variety of names: memory lapses, brain fog, senior moments, and in my family”brain farts.
There are a variety of potential contributing factors to such episodes, such as:
- Sleep deprivation
- Stress
- Medications
- Chemotherapy
- Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
- Disease processes
If you experience an occasional memory lapse and aren’t aware of any increase in frequency, then you probably just need to get more rest, take a deep breath in stressful situations and focus (rather than multi-task). However, if you are noticing the frequency of memory lapses increasing or if others are commenting on it (even jokingly), it might be time to talk with your health care provider to rule out any cause for concern.
Things you can do to enhance your memory:
- Get a good night’s rest (6-8 hours per night of restful sleep)
- Take a look at the amount of stress in your life and determine what you can do to decrease the stress, or better manage it. Check out these tips to stop stress from affecting your body.
- Drink lots of water. The brain is 80% water. It requires hydration to function optimally. The more water you drink, the better everything works”especially the brain.
- Eat rationally: start your day with breakfast and eat a healthy snack between meals to avoid eating too much or too little. Swings in blood sugar levels negatively affect brain function and memory. Include healthy sources of protein and complex carbohydrates (vegetables and fruits). These provide quality fuel for the brain.
- Include brain boosting vitamins and herbs. Try out this brain-boosting diet.
- Consistently take prescribed medications. The body adapts to the prescription meds and functions best with a regular schedule. Skipping meds and/or taking them at varying times can negatively influence memory acuity.
- Focus: We are a culture of multi-taskers. Give your full attention to the task at hand…don’t think ahead, don’t recall the past. Simply focus on the present moment.
- Track your Brain Farts: Give thought to the times your memory lapses and have a game plan. For instance, I know large groups are my vulnerability, so I arrange with whoever is accompanying me to reach out his hand and introduce himself first. That takes the pressure off of me recalling names accurately!
- Keep your brain agile by learning new things and varying activities. The more you put your memory to use, the more vital it will be.
