The Inner Architect

Transform Your Cognitive Health with Simple Lifestyle Changes

June 03, 2024 Mindmekka
Transform Your Cognitive Health with Simple Lifestyle Changes
The Inner Architect
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The Inner Architect
Transform Your Cognitive Health with Simple Lifestyle Changes
Jun 03, 2024
Mindmekka

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Can a heart-healthy diet also improve your memory? Join us as we uncover surprising connections between the foods we eat and the strength of our cognitive functions. We promise you'll learn how nutritious foods can be as satisfying as their less healthy counterparts and why making these dietary changes is an investment in both heart and brain health. Along with good nutrition, discover why regular exercise is key to maximizing these benefits and how relying too much on technology might be doing more harm than good to our memory capabilities.

We'll also explore fascinating techniques to keep your mind sharp and engaged. Find out how ancient memory practices before the advent of writing can inspire modern methods to enhance recall. From the uplifting effects of physical activity to the power of visualization and storytelling, we'll reveal how these strategies can make information stick and even improve your overall quality of life. Remember those classic games like Concentration and Simon? We revisit their enduring value in boosting cognitive skills, making this episode both a nostalgic trip and a practical guide for memory enhancement.

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Send us a Text Message.

Can a heart-healthy diet also improve your memory? Join us as we uncover surprising connections between the foods we eat and the strength of our cognitive functions. We promise you'll learn how nutritious foods can be as satisfying as their less healthy counterparts and why making these dietary changes is an investment in both heart and brain health. Along with good nutrition, discover why regular exercise is key to maximizing these benefits and how relying too much on technology might be doing more harm than good to our memory capabilities.

We'll also explore fascinating techniques to keep your mind sharp and engaged. Find out how ancient memory practices before the advent of writing can inspire modern methods to enhance recall. From the uplifting effects of physical activity to the power of visualization and storytelling, we'll reveal how these strategies can make information stick and even improve your overall quality of life. Remember those classic games like Concentration and Simon? We revisit their enduring value in boosting cognitive skills, making this episode both a nostalgic trip and a practical guide for memory enhancement.

Support the Show.

Thanks for listening and for being one of our valued subscribers! Our GiveAway Contest Is Running For Another 30 Days - you gotta keep those entries ticking up if you want a shot at the MacBook Air. You can enter here

Speaker 1:

Can eating healthy improve your memory outlook? There are studies that suggest the right kinds of foods can help improve your memory and may even keep it intact when you age. So does this mean we not only have to pay attention to what we eat for our hearts, but for our brains too? The good news is that the same diet that is good for your heart should carry over to your brain and, by extension, your memory. The bad news is, if you aren't already eating right, it's going to take a bit of effort to make sure that you do.

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People develop bad eating habits from an early age. Now, before you go blaming your parents, keep in mind that more studies exist today than they did during their younger years. These habits need some time to break, and you may need to find creative ways to prepare your healthy foods. If you are one to fry your foods, you have developed your flavor profile in this cooking style, and cooking without it is going to seem light and not fulfilling. The opposite is true. After a while, you will find the fried foods are too heavy and that the lighter but healthier foods not only fill you up but keep you filled up. So, even if you don't believe that the foods you eat can affect your memory. You are hopefully convinced of eating right for your heart and, as mentioned earlier, the foods that are good for your heart are the same ones that are good for your brain. For the most part, this means that if, at some point in the future, you start believing that eating well helps your memory, you won't have to start from scratch. If you've been eating heart-healthy, you'll already be where you need to be. Eating well is a great start, but you also need to exercise. A steady routine of exercise will boost any of the benefits you receive from your good eating habits. They both work together to give you the maximum benefits possible. If you are worried about taste when it comes to any new diet, there is good news with this too. There are plenty of cooking shows and online information, with the focus shifting on healthier diets. It's been going on for some time, so the recipes and techniques you find are likely to be quite tasty. You can even find restaurants now that are taking up the movement, depending too much on technology.

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Technology helps people get more done. While that can be good, it can also be used too much as a crutch, especially when it comes to our memories. There are many tools that can help keep track of events or tasks. They allow us to set reminders and manage our to-do lists, plus a whole host of other tasks, but if we become too dependent on them, can this be detrimental to our memory? There are studies to suggest that if we don't use our memories, we risk losing them. This is why, when you learn a secondary language when you were in school but don't practice it for many years, you forget much of what you have learned. You may remember the fundamentals of the language, such as basic conjugation rules, but the words and even sentence construction may get lost. These memories aren't always lost entirely, which explains why people who are refreshing a secondary language find it much easier than those who are learning it for the first time. However, technology is even making learning a language obsolete. It is possible for two people to converse who are unfamiliar with the other's language, using an app on a smartphone. The technology is still in its infancy, but is growing in popularity. Are kids still being taught dates and history these days? Why is it even necessary, when they can look them up right on the Internet, directly on their smartphones? In this same manner, why do we need to learn scientific and mathematic formulas when they are available with the click of a button.

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What is it that we should memorize in the age of the Internet? It seems like a lesson in futility, does it not? On the other hand, if we start using the Internet to think for us, what if we are not being given the correct information? People seem to be satisfied with information provided by a simple Google search. Fact-checking is not a common practice among search participants. Fact-checking is not a common practice among search participants. We still need a foundation for our knowledge. We have to learn how to think independently in the age of the Internet. In many cases, this will require memorization. Besides, by enabling your brain to take on the task of memorizing, you may lower your risk for certain age-related brain ailments. More studies are being done in this area, but it's probably best not to wait for them to be conclusive before beginning your memory enhancement regimen.

Speaker 1:

Games Dedicated to Memory. In the late 1960s, there was a game show called Concentration. It comprised of two players who had to choose two squares per turn which consisted of symbols. If the symbols matched, the player went another turn. If they didn't match, the turn went to the next player. They continued until they matched all of the squares, in which case a puzzle is revealed. The player who won the last round of matching guessed the puzzle and, if successful, won the game. The game was quite popular and the game makers created a home version of the game. The home version allowed up to four players to play the game. The game was not overly complicated, which made it an easy game for family members to pick up. There is also an online game that is similar to concentration, but matching squares are not required. The objective is to remember where the bombs are and not turn over those squares. You do get extra points if you can identify matching squares. Like many games of this genre, it starts out at an easy level and gets progressively harder as you play. You can find this game at wwwknowledgeadventurecom.

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When electronics came onto the scene, the game Simon became popular. It was a memory game where you were given a sequence of lighted color buttons coupled with sounds associated with those lights. When the sequence lights up, you need to reproduce the exact sequence by hitting the buttons associated with that sequence. The sequence starts out quite easy and then becomes harder as you progress. The game is produced by Hasbro and is still available with retailers. They have an online version where you can press the buttons using your mouse here at wwwmindgamescom.

Speaker 1:

The interesting aspect of memory games is they are not geared solely to children. There are plenty of these types of games for adults too. With the games that are geared towards children, adults could certainly play them for the benefits of keeping a sharp mind, but for those who don't want something that seems like it's for children, there are plenty of adult games on the market. Be aware that memory games should be used for entertainment purposes only. Although there are some studies to suggest that keeping your mind active can help keep you sharp as you age, you should not have any expectations that playing games will produce the desired effects.

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Great websites to improve your memory. Use the following websites to help you improve your memory. It's important to use them frequently to get the full benefits out of them. In most cases, it involves playing fun and challenging games. It's important to use these resources for recreation purposes only.

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It is easy for anyone, no matter what qualifications they hold or do not hold, to put up a website about memory or brain training brain training Luminositycom. This resource has a foundation in science. You can learn about updates to their research as it develops. This has the advantage of knowing what is effective and what procedures may need to be modified. The site was developed by both scientists and game developers, so you get the best of both worlds. It also has tools to help you measure your success over time. Be sure to sign up for this resource. It is free to join MindToolscom. What is great about this resource is it lets you structure a learning plan that is customized to your needs. It also has resources for teams. It is not free, but they give a 10-day free trial to see if it is something you want to pursue. They do have a free newsletter to keep up to date on what is happening on the website HappyNeuroncom.

Speaker 1:

This is an interesting website that has several resources for helping with memory and other brain training. It has a section on logic puzzles, which can help strengthen memory. You will need to sign up and the interface is a bit confusing, but once you get used to it, you will find several great games and puzzles to engage your brain. At the time of this writing, there was no indication of costs, so at this point it is a free resource. Although Sudoku is not specifically geared for memory, it does require you to use some parts of your memory to solve the puzzles. Many people find this to be a fun and challenging game. This resource offers free play with advertising displayed, and has difficulty levels to allow you to challenge yourself. The game has a timer so you can try to improve your play by beating your previous scores. If you have never played Sudoku before, it is easy to learn. However, that doesn't make it easy to master. This will take some skill development and practice on your part. Be warned you may spend hours with this one resource and forget about time.

Speaker 1:

Improving your listening skills may help improve your memory. People are busy. As such, there's a lot going on in their minds. This goes on day after day, so when it comes time to listen, they are often too preoccupied. When this happens, they are less likely to absorb information. Consider students who are bored with a lecture. They are thinking about everything but the subject of the lecture. However, if they worked on their listening skills, it could help them focus more on the lecture. They would not need to take as many notes, as they would be absorbing more of what the teacher is saying.

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To become better listeners, we have first to accept that you may not be as good at listening as you believe Most people aren't, but consider themselves good listeners. Try this experiment the next time you meet someone After they introduce themselves and you have been speaking to them for a minute or so, try to recall the person's name. If you can't, then you were not listening when they are talking. Take notice of whether you are thinking about what you are going to say next after they finish. If you were, then once again you were not listening to what they said. One great way to help you listen is to repeat back what the other person is saying. This confirms what they are saying and helps you hear it inside your mind. Usually, the person you are conversing with will not think it is strange, contrary to popular belief. Another way to reinforce your listening is to ask questions during your conversation. This engages both parties in the conversation and gets you thinking about what was said. One reason why we may be bad listeners is that we were never really taught the skill. It is a learnable skill and therefore requires some training. It is a learnable skill and therefore requires some training. There is nothing currently in the curriculum of schools that covers this type of training at any level.

Speaker 1:

Good listeners also tune in to what is not said, ie facial expressions and body language. These signals sometimes tell more of the story than actual words. It can give clues to the hidden meanings and what the other person is actually feeling. You will remember more when you become a better listener. You will capture the messages and the subtle clues that others would allow to pass, whether it is for school or work. People are going to ask how do you remember everything?

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Short-term versus long-term memory. You see someone at the grocery store and can't place where you know them from, but you know you've had some dealings with them. A week later you take your kid to the doctor for a checkup and see the receptionist is the person you saw at the grocery store. You instantly make the connection. It's likely if you had several visits to the doctor over the years, you would have made the connection immediately in the supermarket. Since, luckily, your visits are infrequent, this is a short-term memory experience. You may have also encountered a situation where someone seems familiar but you can't quite place the face. Later you realized it was someone you went to high school with over 20 years ago. In this situation you are employing your long-term memory.

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It's believed that house pets, like cats and dogs, do not have long-term memories. This may be why their offspring can be taken away from them without too much emotional trauma, why their offspring can be taken away from them without too much emotional trauma. However, there have been cases where pets have been able to find their original owners after being lost for some time. This even after some owners moved to unknown locations. It seems implausible for them not to have long-term memories, at least in some capacity, for them not to have long-term memories, at least in some capacity. There have also been cases of tiger cubs who were raised by humans and later set out in the wild. Several years after their release, they recognize the humans and react in a positive and loving manner.

Speaker 1:

But what exactly determines which is a short-term and a long-term memory In areas of life? Anything less than one year is considered short-term, while anything longer than that is designated as long-term. Can this same distinction be made when referring to memory? If it were as simple as drawing a line in the sand with a specific amount of time, it would seem likely schools would structure their teaching to coincide with this schedule. There are many books written that claim that 28 days is the path to having something stick. Does this mean that if you stopped at the 27th day, you would forget everything learned during those days. It's a good chance that wouldn't happen and that is why you cannot put a specific date to learning. Each person has specific ways of learning that is different than others. Some will learn quickly, while others will take more time. It will also depend on people's interest in what they are learning.

Speaker 1:

Staying in shape for optimal memory. Staying in shape is the foundation for keeping your memory at optimal levels. There are many benefits that will help when trying to keep your memory sharp. The first is being able to sleep better at night. Lack of sleep will not allow you to function well at anything. You cannot concentrate and therefore you will forget easily. When you get regular sleep and it is quality you feel refreshed and your mind will be ready.

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Exercise also reduces stress. Stress can infiltrate your entire body and make it tough for it to function. It will spend energy fighting the stress rather than helping you to remember or even to fend off diseases, rather than helping you to remember or even to fend off diseases. If the stress continues unabated, this can lead to sickness and depression. You will have a difficult time with your memory when this happens. Another benefit of exercise is. It gives you energy. Energy is required when keeping your memory at optimal performance. You'll stay alert, which means you'll be able to capture more information. Processing information will be easier as well. You hear often enough that you should check with your doctor before starting an exercise program. To take it one step further, consider going for a physical to make sure there is nothing wrong that needs attention before exercising.

Speaker 1:

When you exercise, it's more important to do it consistently and frequently rather than implementing intense routines. The consistent workouts will give you more of the benefits you need over the long term. This could be as simple as walking every day. Walking is not as hard on your knees as running, which means you can keep going with it. Swimming is also a great exercise, but many people don't have easy access to pools, although major gym chains tend to have them on facilities. If you have the money and you really want to step up your efforts, consider using a personal trainer. These people can help structure a great program that caters to your goals. They can also ensure that you are doing the exercises correctly. A common mistake for people who don't use trainers is they do the same exercises over and over. This can cause your progress to stall. However you structure your exercise program, you need to keep doing it for it to make a difference. If you only visit the gym once a month, you cannot expect this to help your memory in any meaningful way.

Speaker 1:

Visualization, your key to memorize. A picture is worth a thousand words. How many times have you heard that phrase before? Yet it is still valid in the message it delivers. If you ever need to use it yourself, maybe you could change it up to say a picture is worth 2,000 words. You could do this to see if anyone is paying attention.

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When it comes to memorizing, visualization is going to be one of your best allies. When you hear a sentence being read, you automatically picture images of the words and sentences. That is the way people are wired. People dream in images as well. While there is dialogue included in dreams, most of what we dream is pictures. The messages get across in a much more concise manner. It's quite likely for there to be less dialogue in our dreams than we imagine. It's just that the images give us all the needed meaning. We need to know exactly what is going on.

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Think about websites you visit. Which are you more likely to remember? One that contains nothing but text or one that has a combination of text and visual stimuli. Most people would choose the latter. People have varying degrees of visual stimulation, so it is likely if you are a highly visual person, you will be more likely to remember things than those who aren't. While this can be good from a memory perspective, it may hinder you a bit when reading pure text. Your preference for visual aspects could make reading pure text a challenge. On the other hand, people who are not as stimulated visually will find the reading passages a breeze. Many people will be somewhere in the middle of these two extremes. Therefore, they can read easily enough, but probably wouldn't mind a few visualizations thrown in to strengthen the message.

Speaker 1:

The biggest takeaway of all this is to try and figure out what type of person you are. Are you a highly visual person or don't you care as much for them? When you know this information, then you can structure a plan for memory. Even if you aren't in the highly visual camp, you can still use it to enhance your memory. Everyone's brain turns information into images, so it's worth exploring memory help using this type of medium. You could start out with the visualizations and then reinforce with text.

Speaker 1:

Want a better memory? Try using storytelling. Do you remember facts easily? How about a well-crafted story? If you are like the majority of people, you will take good stories over dry facts any day. There are people who revel with facts alone. There is nothing wrong with this, but our brains have been created to tell and hear stories. Therefore, storytelling has to be the easier way to a better memory.

Speaker 1:

When we hear a good story, we will likely tell our family and our friends that story. They will also be more tempted to pass the information in the form of a story. Of course, there is the situation where, as the story moves from one person to the next, the meaning may alter along the way. There are going to be differences in how each person tells the story. They will also embellish the story. That makes it deviate from the original. You may remember the game called Telephone when you were young. There would be a row of people and the first person would whisper a short story to the person next to him or her. This would follow down the row of people. By the time you get to the last person and ask him or her what the story is, it will be completely different from the original. This can be problematic if the information contained within the story are factual. In this way, pure facts won't have as large a deviation, but they won't be as easily consumed either.

Speaker 1:

While storytelling can be a great way to help remember, not everyone is good at telling stories. If someone is a poor storyteller, they will either get the story wrong, they won't present it in an engaging manner, or both. In this case, it is better for the person to keep strictly to the facts and avoid trying to tell stories. Storytelling is a skill that can be practiced. Some people are natural at it and that gives them a big advantage. Because of these natural storytellers, others may feel intimidated and may believe it is not possible to learn the skill. That is not the case. It does take some time before you will be good at it, and you may not be as good as others, but you will eventually get much better. This means that you can be instrumental in helping your own memory as well as others, that you can be instrumental in helping your own memory as well as others.

Speaker 1:

What if writing was not yet invented? When you need to remember something, do you often write it down? Maybe you write it in a journal or you record it somewhere on the cloud. But what would you do if none of us had writing available to us? How would you be able to remember then? We certainly had a lengthy time in history where this was the case. It really wasn't until around 3200 BC that writing is believed to have been invented in Mesopotamia. In the grand scheme of things, that is not too long ago, so any period before then people were not writing things down, so either their memories were much more in tune than ours is or they had to resort to something else. It was likely a combination of the two. Resort to something else. It was likely a combination of the two.

Speaker 1:

People during these periods had to concentrate on the most important aspects of their lives. They needed to be able to pass information on to future generations. They needed to get this right. Otherwise future generations wouldn't know which plants could be used for food and which were poisonous. Not knowing where to find food would eventually lead to the extinction of a tribe. Those who were poisoned, eating the wrong foods, perished even quicker. To pass information down to future generations, seeking out new information was highly discouraged. In fact, the holders of the information were held in high esteem. They would choose who would be worthy of passing the baton of limited knowledge. This procedure undoubtedly went on for many years.

Speaker 1:

The point of bringing up what our ancestors faced is that if you can use some of what they did, you may be able to improve your memory. If you approached memory as if you didn't have the means to write it down, what techniques would you use? It's likely you will never be faced with the situation of not having the ability to record information, but going through the exercise could get you thinking in ways that you wouldn't with our modern conveniences. You would have to determine what core information you needed to depend on for your survival. Would you know the foods you would need to put into your mental data bank? What animals would be a danger to your existence? What techniques would you use to improve your memory so that you would get passing the right information to the right people? How would you teach them to increase their memories, to remember crucial details?

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