Memory Loss: How to Improve Your Memory

The difference between forgetfulness versus a sign of memory decline.
Plus, how to improve your memory.

Understanding the Issue

A new study released in November of 2021 found it’s best to mix it up when it comes to stimulating activities that stimulate the brain. The recent study at Simon Fraser University pulled data from the National Institute of Aging’s Health and Retirement Study.

Changing up both the type of activities the subjects performed and their daily schedule was more helpful for the longevity of people’s memory compared to those who kept the same schedule every day. Researchers focused on 17 possible activities that improved memory, including:

• Talking on the phone, emailing, or writing letters to family and friends
• Do activities with grandchildren or volunteer with young people
• Do word games, read, play cards
• Bake or cook
• Sew or Knit
• Walk for 20 minutes

How memories are made

• Scientists Watch a Memory Form in a Living Brain
• How Does the Brain Make Memories?
• Single Brain Cell Can Hold a Memory
• How Memories Are Made: Stages of Memory Formation

Memory loss is often considered an “old person problem”. Unfortunately, that’s far from true.

People of any age can experience inconvenient bouts of forgetfulness.

Can’t find the keys? Can’t remember someone’s name even though you’ve met several times? It can happen to anyone and is not a cause for worry.

Plus, stress can worsen your ability to remember things, so let it go.

• Forgetfulness – 7 types of normal memory problems
• Memory Loss Often Caused by More General and Reversible Health Issues

If you suspect a loved one’s memory is failing, doctors say do not jump right in, throwing possible diagnoses around. That can be very scary to the person who is likely already unnerved by their memory decline.

It is better to let a medical professional broach the subject of any possible brain injuries or a type of dementia.

A friend or family member can offer additional help, creating a safe and caring space. This means avoiding correcting them and instead redirecting to a comfortable subject. Keep things simple, and keep the background noise down.

• Helping Someone with Memory Loss
• Talking About Memory Loss
• Five tips for communicating with someone with memory loss

Certain body and brain traumas or diseases can cause memory loss.

A doctor needs to determine the root cause then take steps to restore the memory or curb further memory loss. It’s another excellent reason for making and keeping all appointments with your doctor. The sooner you catch a problem, the higher the likelihood of preventing more significant issues down the road.

Some signs a doctor needs to diagnose what’s going on include getting lost in your own neighborhood, forgetting important appointments, or skipping regular hygiene.

An easy rule of thumb is if you’re living a full and productive life but occasionally find the car keys in the refrigerator rather than on the front table, you’re likely simply distracted, and you need to tap the brakes a little.

It can be annoying or frustrating, but it is normal.

Why Did I Come Into This Room?!

It is not a sign of memory loss to head into the kitchen for scissors only to arrive with no idea why you came into the kitchen.

It’s normal, common, and researchers have given the phenomenon a name.

The “doorway effect”.

Yes, the physical act of walking through a doorway gives your brain a little reset. Your brain thinks it’s time to switch gears so the original task you had in mind can slip away.

It’s both fascinating and comforting to understand it.

• Why do I always walk into a room and forget what I’m doing?
• Why Walking through a Doorway Makes You Forget
• What is the Doorway Effect?

Why Is My Memory Fading?

The brain is an incredible organ. It is shaping, storing, and recalling memories almost constantly.

When we’re unable to mentally store some information or pull it back up when we need it, that’s called memory loss.

Like the rest of a person’s body, the brain can sustain damage which impairs mental sharpness. That damage can come from what the person eats or drinks, medications they take, medical conditions, and emotional triggers.

Emotional Causes of Memory Loss

When our thoughts and emotions are taking up a lot of time and attention, it’s common to experience some memory loss. It’s also known as “brain drain”.

• Depression’s Impact on Memory
• The Relationship Between Anxiety and Memory Loss
• Dementia Grief: The Unique Characteristics

Here’s the good news; once the person deals with the stress, memory usually returns naturally. It is vitally important to cope with and heal from emotional upset. Researchers find that long-term exposure to stress can bring dementia.

Mental Health Causes of Memory Loss

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Grief

As with any challenge to a person’s health, it’s important they have not put off a trip to the doctor to get help.  People can heal.  Mental health issues call that fact into question, so some support from a trusted friend or family member can be the gentle push they need.

Anxiety and depression may also be early signs of dementia.

Memory Loss Due to Medical Treatment

Addressing a mental or physical health issue can take its toll on memory. In addition, the same prescription, treatment, or surgery aimed at improving health can have the side effect of some memory loss or confusion.

If it happens, the patient should talk to their doctor about it. Then they can decide whether the benefits of the specific medical treatment outweigh the cost of struggling with forgetfulness or memory loss.

• Prescription Medications
• Chemotherapy
• Heart Surgery
• Anesthesia

It can be a comfort to know which medications or medical treatments may trigger mental fog or memory loss so it does not come as a frightening surprise.

• Going Under Anesthesia May Impact Your Memory
• Drugs That Cause Memory Loss (& What You Can Do)
• Memory or Concentration Problems and Cancer Treatment

Memory Loss Due to Physical Issues 

• Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation
• Sleep Apnea
• Concussions and Head Injuries
• Low Vitamin B12
• Low Vitamin D
• Thyroid Problems
• Kidney Disorders
• Liver Disorders
• Alcohol or Drug Abuse
• Encephalitis
• Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
• Pregnancy
• Menopause
• Infections
• Strokes
• Transient Ischemic Attacks
• Brain Tumors

Any condition that impairs or damages the brain will impact memory. For example, sleep issues and vitamin deficiencies impair the brain. In addition, tumors, strokes, transient ischemic attacks, and concussions can damage the organ.

TIAs are fully and completely reversible within 24 hours and do not cause permanent memory loss.

Dementia is a type of memory loss that is caused by various physical changes in the brain and is often characterized by impaired thought and decision-making functions, and is not included in the categories of memory loss listed above.

• 9 Factors that Impair Memory
• Memory Impairment Due to Stroke
• Can a Brain Tumor Affect Memory and Speech?

The Brain Itself Can Be The Root Cause of Some Memory Loss

• Distraction
• Natural Memory Ability
• Mild Cognitive Impairment

Of course, if you have too many thoughts running through your head, some information will slip due to being distracted.

Some people are born with sharper memories than others. But, as some people are naturally faster runners than others, each person starts with a baseline ability to store and recall information.

People who experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have some memory issues but no trouble paying attention or speaking and reading.

Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia the Same Thing?

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, and it’s the most common type of dementia, all marked by causing impaired thought and decision-making functions.

Memory loss is another dementia symptom. It interferes with a person’s everyday activities and is not a normal part of aging.

• What Is Dementia?
• Alzheimer’s treatments:  What’s on the horizon?

Tips to Improve Memory

You can take charge of preserving and improving your memory. It’s not super-complex, and many activities you already enjoy can improve memory.

For example, gardening, crossword puzzles, knitting, and online brain teasers are good for your brain and improve memory.

• Memory loss:  7 tips to improve your memory
• 14 Natural Ways to Improve Your Memory
• 10 Strategies to Boost Your Cognitive Health and Fight Brain Aging

Research-Based Findings

How to Improve Memory

All Fun and Games

Playing games improved performance on memory tests in a study of 42 participants with some mild memory loss symptoms.

Specifically, the participants used a brain training app for a total of eight hours spread out over four weeks.

A more extensive study involving 4,715 participants found just 15 minutes a day using an online brain-training program improved problem-solving skills, working memory, short-term memory, and concentration.

• 25 Memory Exercises That Actually Help You Remember More
• 3 Brain Games Boost Memory, Focus, and Flexible Thinking
• How to Improve Your Memory? The 15 Easy Steps

Researchers find the type of game or activity isn’t such a big deal. Instead, the benefit is in exercising the brain in various ways.

There are many free memory games available for computers, phones, or tablets. Board games and similar hobbies were found to offer the same benefits offline. Games such as bridge, word jumbles, and crossword puzzles.

The critical takeaway is to pick something you enjoy, set some time in your schedule to give your brain a challenge, and you’ll soon see improvements. Research also finds strengthening your memory may reduce your risk of dementia. So play away!

Meditate and Be Mindful

Meditation improves every bit of your health, both body and mind. In fact, research finds there’s no downside to meditation.

It’s soothing, reduces pain, improves memory, and lowers blood pressure. Research proves meditating results in increases in the amount of the brain’s grey matter, the part that contains neuron cell bodies. They control cell function.

One study involving college students found those who meditated had significantly improved working memory.

Mindfulness is an incredibly effective practice for curbing memory loss and building the ability back up. Meditation is a little more formal and deliberate, while mindfulness can be practiced anywhere at any time. The practice simply means focusing on the moment. Use your five senses to check out your surroundings and feelings.

• How to Meditate
• 5 Meditation Tips for Beginners
• How To Meditate Video

Watch What You Eat

To boost your ability to remember things both essential and trivial, plan your menu to include anti-inflammatory foods such as grapes, berries, avocado, salmon, turmeric, unsweetened cocoa powder, or dark chocolate and green tea.

• Eat Berries to Improve Brain Function
• 10 Brain Boosting Foods Recipes To Improve Concentration
• 12 Herbs For Memory and Concentration

A recent review of nine studies involving more than 31,000 people found people who kept up with eating their fruits and veggies maintained better cognitive skills and were less likely to suffer dementia.

Skip refined carbohydrates whenever possible. If you know it’s bad for your diet, it’s also hard on your brain. For example, white rice and bread, cakes, cookies, and sugary cereal are all known to be associated with cognitive decline and dementia.

A study of hundreds of healthy children reveals that the kids who ate more processed carbs had reduced cognitive capacity, including processing information and recalling it later.

Tip the Scale in Your Favor

A person’s weight impacts the body and the mind. Therefore, it’s vital to maintain a normal body mass index (BMI) so check with your doctor if you’re unsure.

Researchers have found in several studies that obesity is directly linked to cognitive decline, among many other problems.

Being obese can cause changes to genes in the brain that can increase memory loss.

Get Out and Get Moving

A healthy lifestyle, including good physical activity, boosts your brain’s performance, including memory.

Multiple studies show exercise likely increases neuro-protective proteins into the system plus the growth and development of neurons making for better brain health. In addition, researchers say even short periods of moderate exercise improve cognitive performance in every age group.

Get Social

Meaningful and enjoyable human interaction reduces stress levels. It also fights depression, and both of those problems are known to lead to memory loss. So put down the phone and have some honest conversations, in person, with a friend. Or play a game together. You can create a lifestyle that improves memory with almost every decision.

Get Organized

If you’re trying to do too many things at once, your mind can get distracted. The same goes for clutter in your home and office. It’s a distraction to the brain that hurts memory performance.

Making simple to-do lists is helpful, and researchers find saying the tasks aloud as you write them down makes them stick even better.

Strategies used by people who have experienced a brain injury can help anyone safeguard their brain health.

• 38 Room Organization Ideas for Your Home
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• Get Organized to Improve Your Memory

Sleep On It

While you are sleeping, the brain takes advantage of the “downtime” to cement things you’ve learned during the day to memory. Memory consolidation is when the brain transforms short-term memories into long-term memory content.

Insomnia and sleep apnea cause people to become sleep deprived which hinders the making and recalling of memories.

Set your bedtime and stick to it. In this do-it-all world, people who run on very little sleep may think that’s how to win. But the real victors will be those who get proper rest and safeguard their health.

Closing Thoughts

There is no place in the brain where the organ whips up memories. Each memory made is a process that involves the entire brain. Every memory is the result of changes to connections and brain waves. Recent findings show cells in the body can remember things.

When you recall something, your brain is firing the same neurons that were active during the original experience. It is a synchronized recreation of the past brought to the front of the mind in moments or minutes.

• How memory and thinking ability change with age
• Memory, Forgetfulness, and Aging: What’s Normal and What’s Not?
• Memory Problems: What is Normal Aging and What is Not

Adding research-based strategies and tips backed by science can make your memory sharper and curb problems in the future.

Practice makes perfect, so make a plan to include a handful of these healthy tips in your daily life. Small changes can lead to big improvements.

You and your brain are worth it!