--- title: 7 Ways to Maintain and Improve Memory description: There is a difference between mild forgetfulness and serious neurological conditions like Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Knowing that difference can help you stay sharp and avoid many cognitive issues. image: https://articles.wellzesta.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(7)-1.png --- [![Wellzesta](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/652ed4901978b1a2ac40ce28_LogoWellzesta.svg)](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Home](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Solutions](https://www.wellzesta.com/solutions) [Benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/benefits) Resources ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466c7a_chevron-down.svg) [Articles A library worth reading](https://articles.wellzesta.com/) [White Papers Research-focused discoveries](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/white-papers) [Case Studies Real-world client benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/#cases) [Videos Watch our videos](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/videos) [About us](https://www.wellzesta.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.wellzesta.com/contact) [Book a Demo](https://www.wellzesta.com/#book-a-demo) ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466cad_menu-3-line.svg) [Home](https://www.wellzesta.com/) [Solutions](https://www.wellzesta.com/solutions) [Benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/benefits) Resources ![](https://assets-global.website-files.com/6527f83222cbee1b24466b4d/6527f83222cbee1b24466c7a_chevron-down.svg) [Articles A library worth reading](https://articles.wellzesta.com/) [White Papers Research-focused discoveries](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/white-papers) [Case Studies Real-world client benefits](https://www.wellzesta.com/#cases) [Videos Watch our videos](https://www.wellzesta.com/resources/videos) [About us](https://www.wellzesta.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.wellzesta.com/contact) # 7 Ways to Maintain and Improve Memory ##### Posted by [Annie Keough](https://articles.wellzesta.com/author/annie-keough) on October 22, 2021 ![](https://articles.wellzesta.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(7)-1.png)   There is a difference between **mild forgetfulness** and serious **neurological conditions** like Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Knowing that difference can help you stay sharp and avoid many cognitive issues. There are **genetic components** to memory loss that cannot be avoided. However, some positive changes to your lifestyle have proven to stave off the effects of those components.  Here are seven ways to **combat memory loss:** **     1. Learn a new skill** If you have ever researched how to maintain memory, learning new skills was no doubt in the top five - if not the first - of the tips you saw. It’s always there for a reason: **it works**. It’s never too late to learn a new skill. Whether that skill is a major challenge, like learning a new language, or something small you’ve wanted to try, like knitting, learning something new **keeps your mind active** and results in memory improvement. **     2. Manage your stress** [**Chronic stress**](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28856337/)can have long-term effects on the brain. It can affect your brain's plasticity (or resilience), impairing your memory and increasing your risk of Alzheimer's disease. Try out some [**self-care activities**](https://articles.wellzesta.com/self-care-for-caregivers-and-isolated-residents) or learn about more stress relievers [**here**](https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-reduce-stress-3145195). - **     3. Change up your diet** -   - Adding [fish oil supplements](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4364972/) to your diet, eating [less added sugar](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26970578/), [cutting down](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25496905/) on refined carbs, [adding anti-inflammatory](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5293796/) items to your diet (like fruits and veggies), and [drinking less alcohol](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548359/) are all ways to **boost memory and cognition**. **You don’t have to cut out all of the good stuff**, though.[One study showed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21324330/) that those who ate dark chocolate with 70% cacao or higher had a better memory than those who ate white chocolate without cacao flavonoids. - **     4. Take care of your physical health** -   - Physical exercise increases blood flow to your brain. This increased blood flow helps **prevent illnesses that lead to memory loss** such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and strokes. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule can also affect your physical and cognitive health, as it allows time for the brain to [consolidate memories](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19379769/). -   - **     5. Practice memory exercises** -   - In the same way you maintain muscle by working out your body, you must **exercise your brain to keep a sharp mind**. [Repeat and retrieve exercises](https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2016/06/learning-memory), for example, are useful for remembering the names of people and places. Training your memory can also aid in quick recall.[See how](https://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_foer_feats_of_memory_anyone_can_do) 2006 World Memory Champion Joshua Foer trains his brain and hones his memory by building a **“memory palace.”** -   - **     6. Try meditation** -   - Meditation, mindfulness exercises, or any other practice that boosts focus can [**enhance the working memory**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2018/09/30/what-are-the-best-ways-to-improve-your-memory-according-to-science/?sh=75a9a3ab2651), or the type of short-term memory needed throughout the day. Meditation can go hand-in-hand with managing stress, as it is a common method of [reducing stress and depression](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4895748/). -   - **     7. Stay organized** -   - A cluttered space makes for a **cluttered mind**. Using organizational tools like calendars, sticky notes, or phone notifications to keep track of appointments and reminders can **help clear your head** and help make room for more information. Reading the reminders you leave for yourself a few times can also help secure them in your working memory. **Wellzesta** [**Wellzesta Life**](https://www.wellzesta.com/products/life/) keeps residents **engaged** and **intellectually stimulated** to keep their minds sharp. Daily wellness content gives residents a variety of resources to find more information on topics that interest (and benefit) them. **Life** gives residents the ability to focus on different **dimensions of wellness** such as physical, intellectual, and social: **everything they need to keep up a healthy memory.** Click [**here**](https://www.wellzesta.com/) to learn more about Wellzesta or [**connect**](https://app.hubspot.com/meetings/jackson-frerichs) with a member of our Sales team. 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