I’ve never had a great memory for names, and as the years have passed, that hasn’t changed. On the other hand, I’ve always had a great memory for numbers — phone numbers, license plate numbers, and even passwords that include numbers. That also hasn’t changed… and knock on wood, my numeric nimbleness will stick around.
Even so, it’s inevitable that with aging, remembering who, what, when, where and so on as immediately as we once did — and especially the “who” and “what” — becomes more challenging. We need to work on “memory fitness” much as we work on keeping muscles in shape.
According to this recent New York Times article, physical exercise provides a positive and potentially immediate impact on memory.
Did you get that? Potentially immediate impact. Apparently, a single workout can provide improvement!
Enlarge My Hippo-WHAT? Isn’t a Hippo Already Big Enough?
The Times article reminds us that…
… studies show that regular exercise over time increases the volume of the hippocampus, a key part of the brain’s memory networks. It also improves many aspects of people’s thinking.
Improved thinking. Excellent! (Always useful, n’est-ce pas?)
We are also told there is…
… growing evidence that exercise can have rapid effects on brain function and also that these effects could accumulate and lead to long-term improvements in how our brains operate and we remember.
The article goes on to offer much more detail about “semantic” memory and “tissue remodeling” — pop over and read — and all in all, it’s encouraging to those of us who are hoping to stay sharp enough to needle our kids (and grands and friends and everyone else)… through every exasperating (and entertaining) means available as we rack up rings around our trunks.
Now, while I may not be able to swing through the air with the greatest of ease or run a half-marathon like I once could… alright, no, I could never do either of those things… even with a cranky back and the usual aches and pains, there are many types of workouts that could contribute to the overall improved state of mental, emotional and physical health that results from exercise.
Ignition for Cognition?
This latest tidbit aside, my own ignition for cognition remains a basic formula: Use it or lose it. On that score, I chide myself when I set aside very specific disciplines that feed my spirit and the capabilities that matter to me — capabilities upon which I depend.
In other words:
Reading + Writing + Attentive Observation (in no particular order) = Lubricated Communication Skills.
And who doesn’t want lubricated communication skills?
Let’s face it… At the end of a long day, it’s so easy to be lazy about reading. (I read a great deal of journalism, daily, but literature and poetry enhance my skills and buoy my mood.)
It’s so easy to be lax about focusing on what we see and hear, especially if we lounge in front of our numbing-and-dumbing-down screens. (Thus, I need attentiveness to what my senses are experiencing, don’t you?)
Reading, writing and “attentiveness” aren’t physical? True that… I suppose. Then again, I have been known to don my dainty sneaks and pace inside for 20 minutes or so while I read (no kidding).
Where Are My Glasses?!? If Only I Could See to Find Them…
So, this is just a little #ICYMI item that might make you smile as you wind down your weekend or pump up your new work week and… as you search madly for your glasses… where oh where did I put them?… or for your cell… really, again?#!?… or… merde, alors… for the cute new neighbor’s name… where is the card I wrote it down on?
Right. You might not need to search for specs to locate the card to recall the name to say hello… if you could remember where you left your cell.
Anyone for a nice, brisk 30-minute walk?
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I will accept your challenge to walk the sea wall next mid morning after my 1-2 hour quiet time listening and paying attention to the nature beauty on my patio (weather permitting), but I will be unable to promise the walk to be swift as my blind senior companion dog with dementia is more of a sniffer than a brisk pace of a four paws ? ? . We both so much enjoy the adventure!
Where will you walk? Is there a certain favorite place to meander around or a certain destination or certain mileage and time set in plan of your new added routine?
Spring is the most feel good time of the year! Yet we both most have faith that memory functions will find our ways back to home.
Hi D.A.! Yesterday, the weather was nice in the morning when I was enjoying the outdoors on my covered patio. I watched a thunderstorm come rolling through, so I never had an interest in taking a walk. Same today, more rain!
☔️
Did you take a 30 minute brisk walk?
Sounds very pleasant TD – enjoying the storm. As for me, I can’t do “brisk“ every day, but yesterday I did a very long walk at a “moderate“ pace.
?Fantastic!
In high school I had somewhat of a photographic memory. I could be taking a test and remember the answer was on the upper left hand page and was… As time went on and I did mushrooms, LSD and smoked lots of grass and noticed I lost the photographic ability, but my memory was still great. Since chemotherapy in 2004-05… Oh, dear! For a few years I had to write things down just to remember my life. While it’s much better I learned “chemo brain” is a very real thing. I’m hoping working out three days a week and writing/being on the computer will keep my brain agile. xoxox, B
You made me laugh–I also can remember numbers. I used to ask people I’d meet to tell me their birthday or phone number or zip code because I would be sure to forget their names and I wanted to be able to prove that I hadn’t forgotten THEM. I also am very good with faces. But names? Forget it.
As far as losing glasses (not possible in my case; I can’t see anything without them so they are always on my nose), keys or other things, the thing is to have a place for them. I have a little dish for my keys, not to scratch the table by the entry. But what I do forget is where I’ve intentionally HIDDEN things. We’ve never been burgled, but I do worry about it. So when we go on vacation, I will hide my very few pieces of good jewelry and checkbook and such…and often forget where I’ve put them. I will turn the house upside down and find them later only by accident. It’s my fault, for changing hiding places.