How Can You Get Your Memory Back?
Posted Jan 24, 2012
On top of running a marathon in February and a 50K in March, my other goal for this year is to get my brain in gear. I’ve always had a pretty decent short term memory, but my long term memory seems to be failing me from time to time lately. Names and words slip my mind constantly causing odd pauses in my conversation that is quite frustrating. I’ve been searching for ways to get back my old reliable mind.
Luckily Newsweek magazine had a featured article this month that has given me a decent push and some great tips. Some, I’m already doing. Other ideas seem like they would be useful. You’ll find the article is on pages 28 through 36 of the January 9-16 issue.
After reading the article I think my problem is a little too much stress and not enough creative input. I do several nutritional enhancements like milk thistle, NAC, and turmeric. They have helped and I am sure the exercise I’m getting training for this marathon is making a difference also. I don’t meditate enough, and have been in a rut creatively with my free time lately.
So the next step is to take on some home projects that will stimulate my mind. I was also inspired by a great book I read at the beginning of this month called Made By Hand – My Adventures in the World of Do-It-Yourself by Mark Frauenfelder. Mark is one of my favorite posters on BoingBoing.net, and has written for several great magazines over the years including my favorite Make magazine (it’s what Popular Science used to be multiplied by 100 - which we sell by the way in our offline catalog).
Looking back, it appears that every time my brain worked with me instead of against me, I spent less time in front of the tv/video games/movies and more time drawing and solving problems by building new custom things to help me around the house. Whether it is some new shelves, garden enhancements, or just tools to help me accomplish a certain task, it appears that my mind was more in sync when designing something new.
So here’s to a new year of restarting the gray matter. I will keep you posted of my adventures. And any brain enhancing suggestions you might have would be great if you could share them in the comments!
You can find the article reprinted on thedailybeast.com here.