A Fun Way to Sharpen Your Memory
There may be a simpler way to hone your mind. Try calling a friend. Staying in touch with friends and loved ones could slow the pace at which your memory dwindles with age.
Strong Connections
In a study of 16,638 older adults, people who were married, active in volunteer groups, and in regular contact with friends, family, and neighbors had slower declines in memory than their less social counterparts. In fact, declines in the most socially active types were about half of those in the least social group.
Nurture Your Ties
How do social ties bolster a waning memory? Researchers aren’t exactly sure, but it’s possible the greater sense of meaning and emotional acceptance that social connections foster may support healthy brain chemistry. Now, check out these other strategies for staying sharp:
Okay, maybe you like crossword puzzles. That’s great, because they really do a mind good.
Six Foods for a Younger You:
Brain Foods
Generally, what’s harmful to your heart is also harmful to your brain. Make no mistake about it — while fried potato skins are busting your buttons, there’s also a portion that gets shuttled up through your arteries to your gray matter.
Saturated fats, for example, clog arteries that lead to your brain, putting you at risk of stroke, while omega-3 fatty acids — the good fats found in fish — are helpful for your brain, because they help keep your arteries clear. They also alter your neurotransmitters and reduce depression.
These are the best foods to keep your brain and RealAge young:
Food Why Recommended Amount RealAge Difference
Nuts Nuts contain monounsaturated fats to keep your arteries clear, as well as precursors of serotonin, which boosts mood. One ounce of nuts a day is just right. (More is fine, but be careful of calorie overload.) An ounce is about 12 walnuts or 24 almonds. Men: 3.3 years younger
Women: 4.4 years younger
Fish
(especially wild salmon, whitefish, tilapia, catfish, flounder, mahi mahi) Fish contain artery-clearing omega-3 fatty acids. Aim for 13.5 ounces of fish a week, or three servings, each about the size of your fist. 2.8 years younger
Soybeans Soybeans contain heart- and artery-healthy protein, fiber, and fats. 1 cup of soybeans a day. 0.4 years younger
Tomato juice and spaghetti sauce Tomatoes contain folate, lycopene, and other nutrients to keep arteries young. Aim for 8 ounces of juice or 2 tablespoons of spaghetti sauce a day. At least 1 year younger
Olive oil, nut oils, fish oils, flaxseed, avocados All of these foods contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Twenty-five percent of daily calories should be healthy fats. 3.4 years younger
Real chocolate
(at least 70% cocoa) Real chocolate increases the release of dopamine and provides flavonoids, which keep arteries young. One ounce a day (to replace milk chocolate). 1.2 years younger
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