People often encounter cognitive performance issues as they age. The older we get, the more likely we will experience memory loss, mental fog, and slowed thinking. As a result, it’s often harder to recall facts or things like people’s names. Mild memory loss associated with aging is frustrating, especially when it feels like there’s nothing we can do.

However, as we learn more about how the brain ages, we discover there are things we can do to retain cognitive abilities and prevent mild memory loss. By keeping the brain active, living a healthy lifestyle, and emphasizing recovery, older people can avoid the gradual mental decline common among retirees.

Whether you’re looking for a way to stay sharp at work or just want to avoid the frustration that comes with failing to remember names, places, and old memories, here are some things you can do to prevent memory loss in old age.

Staying Mentally Active Is Essential

Keeping the mind active is one of the best things you can do to slow cognitive decline. Things become harder to remember when you’re not engaged.

Staying sharp requires a proactive approach to mental performance. If you want to avoid mild memory loss, maintain strong social ties with friends and family. Meet with them to talk. Play board games, solve puzzles, learn a new language, or practice instruments.

The brain is similar to a muscle in that its use is vital to performance maintenance. In other words, you lose it if you don’t use it. Use your brain and put it under mild stress to send the message that it’s not yet time to check out.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Unfortunately, many older people struggle to sleep as they once did. Plenty of people say they don’t need a lot of sleep when they age, but the body still needs a good deal of sleep each night to stay mentally sharp.

Research suggests that not getting enough sleep is tied to memory loss. As a result, it’s essential to prioritize sleep if you want to stay sharp. Do your best to get around eight hours of sleep each night.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, try using white noise machines, dimming the lights hours before bed, and not eating before you sleep. See a doctor if problems persist.

Eat Brain-Healthy Foods

Food is fuel for your mind and body. What you put into your mouth has a significant impact on memory performance. Eat a diet high in protein, vegetables, and fruit. Strive to avoid sugar and other junk foods except on occasion. Increase the amount of water you drink to facilitate better metabolism and increase energy levels.

Try adding foods rich in antioxidants to combat free radicals tied to oxidative stress and other health issues. Also, avoid excessive alcohol drinking and stop smoking.

Get Regular Health Checkups

Chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure can affect cognitive performance. If your blood pressure or sugar levels are out of whack, it can cause disorientation, dizziness, headaches, and other problems. If you feel like you struggle with memory loss earlier than normal, then you should see a physician. Older people should make medical checkups part of their annual routine.

Keep Organized

Some level of memory loss is inevitable as people age. Unfortunately, at some point, there’s nothing you can do. The above tips help mitigate the extent of mental decline, but it’s very challenging to avoid it completely.

Staying organized makes things easier as you get older. If you have systems in place, you can find things or remember items faster than you would otherwise. This puts less mental strain on the brain, and you won’t feel frustrated by not knowing where you put the car keys because they’re always in the same place.

Keeping to-do lists, journaling, and writing down goals are also helpful for long-term cognitive performance because it keeps the brain active.

Exercise Regularly

In addition to exercising your brain, it’s crucial older people stay physically fit to prevent memory loss. Being in good health is ideal for memory and other brain functions. As a result, your body has more resources available for the central nervous system, and health issues don’t constantly plague you.

There are also many benefits to spending time outdoors and the social advantages of joining a gym or exercise club. In addition, if you’re physically fit, you’ll likely maintain memories in older age.

C60 & Mental Clarity

Carbon 60 (C60) is known as a free radical sponge that prevents and alleviates oxidative stress. Made of 60 carbon atoms that form something like a hollow ball, it’s a single element people take to promote overall well-being.

C60 works at the cellular level to optimize mitochondrial function. An increase in antioxidants may increase energy levels and promote mental clarity.