Clever anti-ageing training for the brain

Has your memory ever let you down? For example, when paying at the till: "What was my pin again?" Such lapses can be avoided.

via Sabrina

10/20/2017, 09:37

Where did I put the key? And what is my pin again? We can train our memory with a few exercises.

Playing memory games with your grandchildren trains their memory. But it's even better to help them with their schoolwork! Dr. Knab says that seniors' brains particularly benefit from this.

Dr. Barbara Knab, psychologist and author. Her book "99 facts about your memory", as an e-book, is well worth reading. Thieme, 14.99 euros.

Please estimate how many numbers younger people can memorize straight away: On average, it's seven. And how many do senior citizens remember ad hoc? It's only 5.5, although this odd figure is due to the statistics. "But if you use a memorization technique, you can increase this figure," explains psychologist Dr. Barbara Knab. "However, the brain is not a muscle that can be trained mechanically." Nevertheless, you can improve your mental performance at any age - but how? "Through activity," advises Dr. Knab: "The more fun this anti-ageing for the brain gives us, the better." We have the best tips for you.

Train your attention

Doing everything at the same time is unfortunately common in our digitalized world - but it's bad for our mental abilities. "When it comes to multitasking, everyone is the same, namely bad," says the psychologist. "In reality, multitasking means that the brain jumps back and forth between tasks. That costs time." Antidote: stay focused on one thing. Interest, inner peace and the art of mindfulness, techniques that can be learned through meditation, among other things, are helpful for this. Even looking back on the day trains your attention: you can review events as if they were a red thread and practise forming episodes into a life panorama. If you make this a daily ritual, you will be amazed that you can remember more and more.

Perfect what you can already do

"It's a good strategy for memory to build on what you already know. We don't have to start from scratch - we can already do a lot!" says Dr. Knab. Her tip: "Older people in particular learn more easily if they add to what they already know: do you know a foreign language so-so? Then learn it better! Did you once play an instrument? Get it out again!" You will achieve better results than with something completely new.

Use clever memory tricks

Of course, memory techniques can also help. For example, you can link numbers with symbols. Even your home can be used as a compass for your memory. Create a fixed path in your mind: 1st fridge, 2nd shelf, 3rd sink, etc. up to 10. Then place item 1 on no. 1, item 2 on no. 2, item 10 on no. 10 for each purchase. In the supermarket, just walk through everything in your mind, without a shopping list.

Don't just stay mentally active

According to Dr. Knab, the brain needs one thing above all to stay active: "Real exercise. Get out every day and go for a walk. The best brain training!" Because body and mind are one. So both can only stay fit together, as the ancient Romans already knew: only a healthy body can have a healthy mind.