"The groundwork of all happiness is health." - Leigh Hunt

Managing memory slip-ups

Here's methods to overcome these annoying on a regular basis mistakes.

Where did I leave my keys? Did I lock the front door? What is the name of the person I met last night? After a certain age, it looks as if everyone struggles with these annoying and sometimes embarrassing memory lapses.

Recurrent or worsening memory problems should at all times be checked (see “When does memory become a problem?”), on a regular basis problems may be managed. Here are some recommendations on methods to overcome some common memory conditions.

When does a memory problem occur?

Lifestyle aspects corresponding to stress, depression, lack of sleep, loneliness, unhealthy weight loss plan, and lack of exercise can contribute to memory problems. “Review your situation to see if someone can play a role, and then see if your memory improves when you focus on them,” says psychiatrist Lydia Cho from McLean Hospital. Still, it's best to err on the side of caution and seek the advice of your doctor in the event you or another person notices that memory problems have gotten more frequent or severe.

Name

When you first meet someone, make the connection meaningful. “Many times we forget a name because we didn't notice it was said or didn't try to remember it,” says Chu.

Repeat the name again and immediately associate it with something that helps recall, corresponding to the person's appearance or job. Or associate the name with someone who has an identical name, corresponding to a celeb, relative, or movie character.

You can even try connecting the name to a rhyming word, song, or picture. For example, associate the name Sandy with the concept of ​​a beach, and picture Sandy on the beach. Use as much detail as possible — picture her walking by the water or on a beach that's familiar to you.

Finally, write down the name and the person's relationship to you (for instance, your neighbor's sister) in your smartphone or in a memory notebook specifically dedicated to things you wish to remember. are

Routine tasks

Have you ever questioned whether you closed the door before going to bed or turned off the stove after cooking? “We often forget routine behaviors because we're not fully engaged when we do them,” says Chu. An awesome option to remind yourself of a task you've accomplished is to discuss with yourself whilst you're doing it. Say it out loud, like “I'm closing the front door” or “I'm putting the clothes in the dryer.”

Everyday items

Always keep belongings you use usually in the identical place. For example, arrange designated areas near the front door, next to your favorite chair within the lounge, and within the bedroom, and use these areas for all of your essential things like your phone, keys, glasses, and medicine. do For items you don't handle usually, concentrate on where you retain them and, again, tell yourself out loud what you're doing. For example, say “I'm keeping the scissors in the kitchen drawer under the coffee pot.” If you continue to don't think you'll remember, write down the situation, or take a photograph together with your smartphone.

Online information

Online usernames and passwords are easy to forget, nevertheless it's not secure to put in writing them down where others can find them. Instead, try an internet password manager, corresponding to LastPass (www.lastpass.com) Dashlane (www.dashlane.com), or 1 password (www.1password.com). You store all of your information securely in a single place, and it only needs one password to access from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.

To-do lists.

Smartphones are also great for scheduling reminders for tasks and appointments, and their alarms may be set for one-time or recurring events. You can even email yourself reminders, or leave yourself a note where you're guaranteed to see it, corresponding to the refrigerator door, kitchen table, or bathroom mirror.

Another approach is to create a visible reminder: place something related to work in a outstanding place. For example, if you might want to order concert tickets, leave an image of the artist near your phone or in your memory table.

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