5 tools that can sharpen your memory

No matter what age you are, exercising your brain in a focused and deliberate way can provide numerous benefits, from better attention to faster learning, and keeping your memory sharp is a major part of this.

 

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Having good recall is important — you'd never find your car parking spot or remember birthdays without it — but memory skills can go deeper than everyday function. For instance, a study in the journal Memory found that people with good memory tend to have a stronger sense of purpose overall, and that contributes to better mental and physical health.

This all means that keeping your memory in shape can help keep you in shape. Ready for your brain workout? Consider these five tools as a starting point:

1. Language learning app

Even if it's been decades since you sat in a classroom learning another language can still give your brain a major boost.

According to research in Frontiers in Neuroscience, just a few months of a language program can lead to functional changes in the brain, especially among older people. There are plenty of language-learning apps that are easy to use and many offer a free trial, with options like Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, and Rosetta Stone. Apps like these have both reading and listening comprehension, which fires up different parts of the brain.

2. Music player

From digging out your retro cassette player to asking your smart speaker to turn on your favorite playlist, it doesn't matter how you get music delivered: it's the tunes that provide benefits. Even better? Make sure the music is upbeat.

According to a study in the journal PLOS ONE, listening to music you describe as "happy" can prompt creativity, problem solving, and a positive mood, which all contribute to better memory function. For some people, even having music on in the background can help with memory capacity, especially if you're listening while learning new information.

 

3. Jigsaw puzzles

Copy of IG Health Tip with Icon (6)Whether it's a 1,000-piece puzzle that takes over your dining room table or a simple 100-piece version you can snap together in an hour, jigsaw puzzles use multiple types of cognitive function, and they can even protect your brain as you get older.

Not only are you challenging your memory and concentration, but you are also potentially reducing stress when you do a puzzle, according to commentary from Baylor University. That's particularly true if you make it a social activity, another way to give your brain a break from being busy and overwhelmed.

 

4. Light dumbbells

Could a pair of 5- or 10-pound dumbbells really help your memory? There's plenty of research that suggests strength training is a big-time brain booster. Although cardio exercise shows benefits as well, lifting weights seems especially protective for memory.

For example, a study published in the journal Acta Psychologica found that just one session of strength exercises can improve memory performance, and it's beneficial after short-term stress, which tends to reduce memory function. Regular training boosts these benefits: Research from The University of Sydney showed that lifting weights can slow and even halt age-related brain changes, especially in the parts of the brain vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease.

5. Mindfulness and sleep app

Alyssa_posts wrapped in blog (7)The connection between quality sleep and optimal memory function is well established. In fact, sleep affects all of your brain functions, including mood, judgment, perception, and learning. Research from Harvard University notes that sleep is when your memories get organized and stored, so skimping on your shuteye can have serious effects on both short-term and long-term memory.

If you struggle with sleep, consider trying an app that focuses on mindfulness, relaxation, and deep breathing exercises, such as Headspace, Calm, Smiling Mind, and 10% Happier.

No matter what tools you choose, one of the most important aspects of boosting memory function is consistency. Just like building your muscles through strength training, keeping your memory in shape is best done by getting into a regular habit that becomes part of your everyday mix.

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