Research has revealed that exercise promotes the growth of new brain cells in the part of the brain associated with memory. Scientists from Columbia University Medical Centre, USA, used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to observe brains of humans before and after exercise. And they reported appearances of new brain cells after exercise. Even in old age, the brain has still the ability to adapt and change. In fact, some experts believe that the power of your brain is so vast that you will only be able to discover or use fraction of it in your entire life. Exercise not only tones your body and gives you energy, it can also boost your brain power.

Getting enough sleep

Just as you pamper your body with good exercise and healthy nutrition, quality or enough sleep is also important. Study indicated that an average adult needs to sleep not less than 8 hours a day. Test has discovered that higher levels of cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, were present in the saliva of people who had less sleep or people who wake up early. Cortisol is known to manipulate mood and concentration. The common downsides of waking up early are muscle aches, colds, and mood swings. However, those who wake up late were more leisurely and less busy. But if your daily routine demands that you wake up early, taking short naps during the day, when you feel stress, would be a good option.

Spending time with friends and loved ones

Laughter is among the best things that boost memory, and laughter at its best is when spent with friends and loved ones. Sometimes we even lose track of time when we are having fun with friends and family. The children are especially very good at this for they are the masters of playing, laughing, and taking life lightly. Having a lot of friends is an asset. So, don’t overwork yourself. Go out and have fun.

Eating memory-enhancing foods

Just as your body needs good nutrition so does your brain - to enhance memory. Fruits and vegetables, especially the colorful ones, contain good antioxidants that protect your brain cells from damage. Try blueberries, oranges, mango, cantaloupe, apricots, carrots, and so on. Try also green and leafy vegetables like kale, collard greens, turnip greens, Swiss chard, spinach, mustard greens, broccoli, red and green leaf, Romaine and iceberg lettuce, and cabbage. As opposed to drinking too much alcohol (which kills brain cells), drinking fruit juice will nourish your brain and enhance your memory. Among the top fruit juices are pomegranate, grape, blueberry, black cherry, cranberry, orange, apple, tomato, and carrot juice.

Trying new things

Give your brain a workout by trying new and challenging things. The more you work out your brain the more you’ll be able to remember information. If you need to exercise and lose weight, but haven’t done so in the past, going to the gym or trying out new exercises at home or in the outdoors are very good options. You can also join a new fitness group and meet new friends or try a new fitness program. Just try something new. Your brain needs stimulation to keep it growing and developing.

Enhancing your ability to learn and remember will also improve your memory. Always pay good attention to things that are new to you because your brain can only record quality information if you pay enough attention. Relate new information to what you already know and rehearse information you’ve already learned.