How Can Thinking Positively About Ageing Help Prevent Memory Loss?

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Memory loss can be a devastating experience. It can cause a person to struggle to remember important details and events that have taken place in their life. It can also cause them to forget people, places and objects that they once knew.

Memory loss can be difficult to cope with and can be an emotional and stressful experience. However, with the right support and lifestyle changes, it is possible to improve memory and live a healthy and fulfilling life [1].

And, a new study asserts that thinking positively about ageing help prevent memory loss! Let's check out how.

How Can Thinking Positively About Ageing Help Prevent Memory Loss?

It has been found that people with positive beliefs about ageing are more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment improvements than those with negative beliefs about ageing. This suggests that having a positive outlook on ageing can help people to maintain their cognitive functioning and even experience improvements in cognitive performance [2].

Researchers in this study sought to examine the impact of ageing beliefs on mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between normal ageing and dementia.

How Did The Study Find A Link Between Positive Thinking And Memory Loss?

Participants were all at least sixty-five years old and had completed a positive age-belief assessment. Positive age beliefs were measured using a sub-scale of the Philadelphia Geriatric Morale Scale [3].

There are several questions on this sub-scale that measure an individual's attitudes toward ageing. These include the following:

• "​Do things keep getting worse as you get older?"
• "​Do you feel that as you get older you are less useful?"
• "​Are you as happy now as you were when you were younger?"

At baseline, participants who believed that they were young were more likely to experience cognitive recovery from mild cognitive impairment. Those participants who believed in a positive-age belief also experienced a shorter period of cognitive recovery compared to those who believed in a negative-age belief [4].

What Does This Mean? Can Positive Thinking Prevent Memory Loss?

Even though the authors clearly state they did not examine the mechanism of positive age beliefs in cognitive recovery, they connect the dots by demonstrating that compared to the negative age belief group, the positive age belief group statistically has a greater chance of experiencing cognitive recovery.

So, thinking positively about ageing may just help you in the long run, guys!

How To Prevent Memory Loss In Young Age?

Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to help prevent memory loss and keep your memory sharp [5].

The first step to preventing memory loss is to keep your mind active. Engage in activities that challenge your brain and keep it active, such as puzzles, crosswords, and reading. Learning new skills and hobbies can also help stimulate your brain and build new memories [6].

• Exercise is another important factor in preventing memory loss.
• Eating a healthy diet is also important in preventing memory loss.
• Finally, getting enough sleep is essential for keeping your memory sharp.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.