Recently, when your friends came up to you and asked you what movie you had watched last night, you may have felt stumped. Despite how hard you tried to recall what the title of the movie was, it simply beat you. Perhaps, it was only after many hours that you finally remembered the title. Having such experiences is a common phenomenon associated with aging. This is called age-related memory loss and is entirely different compared to dementia. However, you may still be confused about the causes of memory loss, so read on to understand more.
Insufficient Sleep
Have you ever wondered why everyone keeps reiterating the importance of getting 8 hours of sleep? This is because your ability to be alert and focused is affected when you have not rested well at night. This lack of focus will affect all aspects of your life but will especially impair your memory. Memories are either stored as long-term memory or long-term memory. The lack of sleep directly affects your ability to recall your short-term memories. However, when you’re sleeping, your brain processes all the facts of the day and stores them as long-term memories. Hence, ultimately both types of memories are affected due to insufficient sleep. Try to get a good night’s rest and see whether you can recall more things throughout the day!
Improper Food Choices
The type of food you’re consuming also affects your ability to remember the facts of the day. You should be eating food high in omega-3, such as fish. Other foods that are great for memory are fruits and vegetables. Meanwhile, you should steer clear of foods that are high in saturated fats as these have been proven to be detrimental to your memory. Establishing such changes to your diet is not only good for your memory but also good for overall health and wellness. At TerraBella Summit, we believe in the importance of seniors eating nutritious meals. This is why our dishes are made with wholesome yet tasty ingredients.
Excessive Alcohol
Alcohol can also be extremely detrimental to your memory, especially when consumed in excess. When you overindulge in alcohol, your nerve cells are destroyed. These cells play a critical role in allowing you to remember facts which is why you may feel as though your long-term memory is declining due to alcohol. Furthermore, as you age, your alcohol tolerance also decreases. Consuming the same amount of alcohol as when you were younger can result in vastly different effects on your body. The effectiveness of medication that you may be consuming to aid your memory may also be affected due to alcohol.
If you feel as though your memory loss is causing a drastic decrease in your standard of living, it may be good to seek additional assistance. At TerraBella Summit, we have a specialized program for memory care. It is tailored in such a way that it accommodates individuals who face memory loss. Furthermore, we have an attentive team to cater to your needs, whenever you need them!
