It’s becoming increasingly evident that we have more control over our brain health than we once believed. Dr. Kaitlin Casaletto, a board-certified neuropsychologist and associate professor in the department of Neurology at the UC San Francisco Memory and Aging Center, emphasizes that brain health prevention starts in midlife and continues throughout life. To ensure your brain stays sharp well into your golden years, our experts have uncovered seven natural methods to enhance your memory.
Invest in a Multivitamin
Maintaining a perfectly balanced diet daily can be challenging. Minor deficiencies in essential brain nutrients like vitamins B-12, C, D, zinc, calcium, and magnesium can lead to cognitive difficulties.
Dr. Casaletto recommends taking a daily multivitamin to bridge these nutrient gaps. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study demonstrated that older adults who took a multivitamin daily for a year improved their memory substantially, effectively reversing over three years of brain aging.
Foster Social Connections
Being socially active can significantly benefit your brain. Regular interactions with friends and family, as well as engaging in group activities, help slow cognitive decline, particularly concerning memory and language.
Whether you’re playing board games with family, joining a book club, or participating in sports like pickleball with friends, these connections are vital for maintaining cognitive health.
Embrace Fatty Fish
If you weren’t a fan of eating fish, it’s time to become one! Incorporate fatty fish, such as tuna, salmon, sardines, anchovies, and mackerel, into your diet.
These fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, which supports proper cell function in the brain. Omega-3s enhance memory by increasing hippocampal volume, responsible for learning and memory.
Challenge Your Brain
Novelty is a key element in enhancing brain health. Dr. Casaletto recommends diversifying your activities and learning new things.
Instead of sticking to the same daily routines or games, try activities like Sudoku or jigsaw puzzles. Engaging in new hobbies or changing your daily routines can also provide memory-boosting benefits.
Reading for Memory
Indulging in leisurely reading for just 90 minutes a day, five days a week can significantly improve memory in a matter of months.
A study of adults aged 60 to 79 revealed that consistent reading strengthens both working memory and episodic memory. So don’t forget to pick up a book or a magazine every now and then.
Exercise Your Way to a Strong Memory
Physical activity is not only essential for muscle strength but also for memory. Research from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center shows that cognitive decline is nearly twice as common in inactive individuals.
Regular exercise, even brisk walks or light dancing, improves blood flow to the brain, especially in regions associated with memory.
Aromatherapy for Memory Enhancement
Inhaling essential oils while you sleep can enhance your memory. A study in Frontiers in Neuroscience found that individuals aged 60 to 85 who used an aromatherapy diffuser with various scents, including rosemary, peppermint, lemon, and lavender, performed 226% better in memory tests after six months.
This improvement results from the direct connection between your sense of smell and memory circuits. Aromatherapy strengthens these pathways and deepens your sleep, allowing your brain to function better the following day.
Couple Celebrates 70th Wedding Anniversary With a Photoshoot
It seems that as the world moves forward, and we question the existence of every emotion we feel, there are some couples who are still writing the love story they started decades ago. Melvin and Nancy Lubber, 91 and 87 respectively, are still couple goals even after 70 years of marriage! Not only that, as a special tribute to their seven decades of love, the two had a beautiful wedding photo shoot where Nancy wore her wedding dress!
The Anniversary Shoot
While celebrating their 70th wedding anniversary, the couple’s youngest granddaughter, Anna, decided that the best way to celebrate is to have a special photo shoot. The professional wedding photographer spoke about how her grandparents only had a couple of photos from their wedding day, and this was a special way to add to their love story. Not only was Nancy’s wedding dress a part of the shoot, but Anna’s mom also managed to find her father’s Korean War Army suit. The South Dakota natives shot many poses together, looking at each other with their hearts in their eyes. Nancy, who originally purchased the dress and veil for $35 and $15 respectively, stated that she has kept her dress well preserved as it was very special, and wearing it again had brought back lovely memories.
The Wedding
The duo was married to each other in 1952 in a church, with a reception held in the basement. At that time, young Nancy was only 16 years old. Over the past 70 years of marriage, the two have amassed a huge family including five children, 12 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. Shortly after their wedding, the young Melvin was called to serve in the Korean War where he was a tank commander. After his return, Nancy worked in a grocery store and Melvin took up a job as a salesman. Their story certainly ignited the belief that love does indeed conquer all.