As days go by, the most common problem you face is the inability to recollect old memories well and to make quick decisions. These are age-related problems that arise when the performance of the gray matter of your brain starts to decline. No matter how old you are, it is always possible to improve your memory by improving your gray matter performance. Improving your mental health should not be considered an arduous task. It should be a smooth and natural process. You should work on your mind almost on a daily basis, and you should have fun doing it. Here are some unusual, yet surprisingly simple, ways of boosting your gray matter performance.
1. Laugh It Out
There are many things out there that create stress in your life. When you are stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol, which is bad for your health. The best way to cope with this stress is to laugh out loud. Watch a funny show or share a joke with your friends. Laughing for about 20 minutes a day greatly reduces your cortisol levels and boosts your mood. Laughing also improves your short-term memory. It is much easier for your brain to recollect information that made you laugh than the ones that did not elicit any reaction from you.
2. Write It Down
You tend to look at a screen more than anything else on any given day. You may be used to a screen, but it does not come in handy when you want to understand a concept or retain important information. Your writing is always much better at helping you do that. You may have experienced this during exams. You perform much better with concepts you have listened to carefully and have noted down on paper instead of the ones you have typed mindlessly. This method is not only helpful for students, but for older people as well. Whenever you need to learn something or have to take notes, choose the good old pen and paper method.
3. Drink Green Tea
Green tea is good for your body and your mind. It contains antioxidants which protect you from the effects of aging, and it increases the connection between the frontal cortex and the parietal lobe. The frontal lobe is associated with your thinking abilities, and the parietal lobe processes language and sensory information. Drinking green tea also improves your short-term memory by improving the plasticity of your brain. So instead of gulping down sugary sodas, reach for a refreshing cup of green tea the next time around.
4. Maintain Good Posture
Your posture makes a lot of difference when it comes to your ability to recall negative or positive memories. When you slouch and look down, it is easier for you to recall sad and helpless emotions. When you sit or stand upright with your chin facing upward, it becomes quite difficult to remember negative emotions, and it gets much easier to recall the happy and positive ones. Your posture also affects your ability to learn information. When your spine is upright, more blood and oxygen flows to your brain and it gets easier to recall information you have learned. Next time you are taking a test or need to recollect something, look straight ahead and try keeping your spine straight.
5. Sleep On It
Sleep is excellent when it comes to preserving the health of your mind and body. It helps your body get that much-needed rest from a hectic day, and it helps your brain cells connect with each other to preserve your memories. When you sleep, your mind does not. It constantly replays memories and tries to make sense of the information it received throughout the day. Make sure you get proper sleep each night and let your brain do its work.
Preserving your ability to recollect memories is not at all difficult. Make sure to hold on to the positive ones that propel you forward instead of the ones that pull you back. Life is short, make the best of it.
