Memory is not a perfect machine. As we get older, forgetfulness becomes more common.
You can find many reasons why you may not remember things. Some of them are harmless and not to be concerned about. In other cases, forgetfulness can indicate a serious condition.
Is it normal or a health concern?
It’s not uncommon to experience mild memory issues, especially as you age. As you age, your brain changes and this can have an impact on your memory.
You might not be able remember names as quickly or lose your train-of-thought during a discussion. You may have difficulty remembering details from a story or forgetting where your keys are. You might also take a bit longer to remember things.
These types of memory changes can be a normal part aging. They are nothing to worry about.
In some cases, forgetfulness can be an indication of a serious health condition. For example, Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms dementia .
Warning signs include:
- Changes in memory that are sudden or dramatic
- Problems with daily activities such as eating, bathing or dressing
- Getting lost or disorientated in familiar places
- Loss of interest or enthusiasm for hobbies and social activities
- Withdrawal of family and friends
- Significant Personality Changes
If forgetfulness is only a minor inconvenience or embarrassing, there’s no need to worry. If your memory issues interfere with your daily routine, your ability to take care of yourself and your other responsibilities or negatively impact your quality-of-life, then you should seek professional help. If this is the case, you should consult a physician and have a professional evaluate your condition.
Common reasons for ordinary forgetfulness
Forgetting where you left your keys, or the name of someone can happen for many different reasons.
Memory problems can be caused by stress, anxiety and poor sleep. Alcohol, recreational drugs, and medications can all affect memory. Memory can be affected by hormonal changes such as those experienced during menopause.
These types of memory problems are often not related to memory per se, but to issues with attention, focus or information processing .
You may not have been paying full attention when someone told you the name of a person you met recently. This is more likely to be the cause than a problem with your memory. If you lose your keys, or any other item, it’s likely that you were distracted at the time you placed them and didn’t have a good memory of what happened.
Tips To Improve Your Memory
No matter how old you are, you can improve your memory by doing simple things.
Here’s a few tips.
- Sleep well every night.
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Manage anxiety and stress levels.
- Exercise your brain by solving puzzles and brainteasers.
- Use a journal to track information.
- Use mnemonics to help you remember things.
- Recite and repeat the information that you want to remember.
- Declutter and organize your space.
- Listen to what people say.
- Practice mindfulness meditation.
- Try to gently recall the memory.
Inform your doctor about any memory issues or concerns you may have regarding your memory.
