HEALTH
Health is wellness of the body, the mind, and the soul; their alignment with one another is the art of living well.
and
TIPS
WISDOM
Wisdom is understanding of the self, others, and the nature of things; it is essential to living as if everything is a miracle.
Good Memory
Wisdom is important; so is memory. They go hand in hand. As you age, however, your memory declines. Memory loss is an impediment, but don't let it be your stumbling block as you continue to age..
Senior moments
The human mind declines and memories start to wane after the age of 30 or so. If you suddenly cannot remember where you put the keys or eyeglasses just a moment ago, you are not alone. These occurrences are just “senior moments.”
Tips for good memory
(1) The storage of information in the brain hinges on consciousness. First of all, you must be fully conscious of its importance before you will decide to store it. If you think it is really important, then you must put it away in a safe place where you can easily retrieve it later. Finally, when you want to retrieve it, you must know or remember where to look for it. It is all about consciousness.
(2) Manage your memory-loss problems, such as the use of lists and reminders, and self-cuing. Use visual cues and mental associations to “jog” your memory.
(3) Learn to process new information step by step, and one step at a time, to allow yourself more time not only to get the hang of it but also to remember it.
(4) Avoid prescription drugs wherever possible. Over-the-counter drugs, such as sleeping pills, and antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Tylenol PM, contain dangerous chemicals, which may cause memory loss or decline. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants may also have adverse side effects on the brain. Avoid them as much as possible.
(5) Go off the beaten track to break your old habits from time to time in order to stimulate your brain cells. According to Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, occasionally going off the beaten track is “good for the soul.” So, every now and then, do something out of the ordinary just to stimulate your brain.
(6) Engage in challenging endeavors, such as crossword puzzles, adult learning, or learning a musical instrument.
(7) Reduce stress, which interferes with concentration and staying focused. Anxiety dampens your mental ability, especially your memory skills to recall stored information.
(8) Learn to use the Chinese Tai Chi breathing to inhale memories and exhale worries. Tai Chi not only de-stresses you but also enhances your mental alertness, in particular, your memory power. Change the incorrect way you breathe to avoid breathing difficulties, which are common among the elderly. Learn the correct way to breathe for total relaxation.
(9) Use meditation to relax your body and mind for better memory enhancement.
(10) Apply the principle of "present-mindedness" to avoid absent-mindedness and to focus on the present moment. You just need to be aware of an action while it is taking place, and not after it has already taken place, because it will be too late by then. This “present awareness” can be applied to almost anything you do in your daily life. What you need is to practice awareness and concentration.
(11) The best and most effective way to manage your memory is to use it, instead of relying on cues or reminders: writing, reading, learning a language, playing a musical instrument.
(12) Lifestyle also plays a pivotal role in enhancing good memory: a brain-healthy diet, good sleep, daily exercise, absence of alcohol and nicotine. De-cluttering makes you become more organized: de-clutter your living environment; letting go of physical clutters is the first step in removing mental and spiritual clutters.
TIPS: Memory loss is part and parcel of growing old. Bottom line: do what you can do with what you have, and let God do the rest.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Wisdom is important; so is memory. They go hand in hand. As you age, however, your memory declines. Memory loss is an impediment, but don't let it be your stumbling block as you continue to age..
Senior moments
The human mind declines and memories start to wane after the age of 30 or so. If you suddenly cannot remember where you put the keys or eyeglasses just a moment ago, you are not alone. These occurrences are just “senior moments.”
Tips for good memory
(1) The storage of information in the brain hinges on consciousness. First of all, you must be fully conscious of its importance before you will decide to store it. If you think it is really important, then you must put it away in a safe place where you can easily retrieve it later. Finally, when you want to retrieve it, you must know or remember where to look for it. It is all about consciousness.
(2) Manage your memory-loss problems, such as the use of lists and reminders, and self-cuing. Use visual cues and mental associations to “jog” your memory.
(3) Learn to process new information step by step, and one step at a time, to allow yourself more time not only to get the hang of it but also to remember it.
(4) Avoid prescription drugs wherever possible. Over-the-counter drugs, such as sleeping pills, and antihistamines, such as Benadryl and Tylenol PM, contain dangerous chemicals, which may cause memory loss or decline. Anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants may also have adverse side effects on the brain. Avoid them as much as possible.
(5) Go off the beaten track to break your old habits from time to time in order to stimulate your brain cells. According to Dr. Randolph B. Schiffer, Director of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, occasionally going off the beaten track is “good for the soul.” So, every now and then, do something out of the ordinary just to stimulate your brain.
(6) Engage in challenging endeavors, such as crossword puzzles, adult learning, or learning a musical instrument.
(7) Reduce stress, which interferes with concentration and staying focused. Anxiety dampens your mental ability, especially your memory skills to recall stored information.
(8) Learn to use the Chinese Tai Chi breathing to inhale memories and exhale worries. Tai Chi not only de-stresses you but also enhances your mental alertness, in particular, your memory power. Change the incorrect way you breathe to avoid breathing difficulties, which are common among the elderly. Learn the correct way to breathe for total relaxation.
(9) Use meditation to relax your body and mind for better memory enhancement.
(10) Apply the principle of "present-mindedness" to avoid absent-mindedness and to focus on the present moment. You just need to be aware of an action while it is taking place, and not after it has already taken place, because it will be too late by then. This “present awareness” can be applied to almost anything you do in your daily life. What you need is to practice awareness and concentration.
(11) The best and most effective way to manage your memory is to use it, instead of relying on cues or reminders: writing, reading, learning a language, playing a musical instrument.
(12) Lifestyle also plays a pivotal role in enhancing good memory: a brain-healthy diet, good sleep, daily exercise, absence of alcohol and nicotine. De-cluttering makes you become more organized: de-clutter your living environment; letting go of physical clutters is the first step in removing mental and spiritual clutters.
TIPS: Memory loss is part and parcel of growing old. Bottom line: do what you can do with what you have, and let God do the rest.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau