5 Things to Naturally Boost Your Memory
Updated: Aug. 06, 2019
Your mind is sort of like a muscle. The more you use it, the better your memory. In addition to giving your grey matter some exercise, here are five other memory-boosting home remedies.
Catch a Whiff of Essential Oils
At a health-food store, purchase a small bottle of either rosemary or basil essential oil. Tests of brain waves show that inhaling either of these scents increases the brain’s production of beta waves, which indicate heightened awareness. All you need to do is put a trace of the oil in your hair, wrists, or clothing-anywhere you can get a whiff. Or put some of the oil in a diffuser, and let it fill the air.
Tune In
Listen to music often, and sample various types. Researchers have found that listening to music can improve your ability to concentrate and help you remember what you’ve learned. Some types of music actually cause brain neurons to fire more quickly. The faster the beat, the more the brain responds.
Reduce Stress
Tense people have high levels of stress hormones in their bodies. Over time, these hormones can affect the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. You don’t have to chant or meditate-just do something that’s simple and fun, from swinging in a hammock to finger-painting with your children or grandchildren.
Count on Coffee
If you drink caffeinated beverages, you’ll get a short-term boost in your ability to concentrate. And there may be long-term benefits as well. Researchers concluded that elderly people who drink three or four cups of coffee a day were less likely to experience memory loss than people who drank a cup a day or less.
Exercise
Get moving to increase the flow of blood to the brain. There’s even some evidence that exercise may increase the number of nerve cells in the brain. Any type of regular exercise, but especially aerobic exercise like walking and biking, will do. Exercise also helps prevent illnesses like diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure, all of which can contribute to memory lapses.
