Many of us accept that as we age, our memory will decline. However, according to new research by neuroscientist Dr. Richard Restak, a neurologist and clinical professor at George Washington Hospital University School of Medicine and Health, this decline is not inevitable. Dr. Restak argues in his new book book, “The Complete Guide to Memory: The Science of Strengthening Your Mind” there are various tools at our disposal like mental exercises, sleep habits and diet that can help boost memory. Ultimately, “we are what we can remember,” he says. Here are some of Dr. Restak’s tips for developing and maintaining a healthy memory: - Pay more attention: Some memory lapses are actually attention problems, not memory problems. One way to pay to do so, is to visualize the words at hand. Having a picture associated with the word improves recall. - Find regular everyday memory challenges: There are many memory exercises that you can integrate into everyday life like composing a grocery list and memorizing it. - Play games: Games like bridge and chess are great for memory, but so are simpler ones like 20 Questions. - Read more novels: One early indicator of memory issues is giving up on fiction. “You have to remember what the character did on Page 3 by the time you get to Page 11,” he explains. - Beware of technology: Storing everything on your phone means that you don’t know it, which can erode our own mental abilities. Also In our day, the greatest impediment of memory is distraction. We can check our email while streaming Netflix, talking with a friend or walking down the street. All of this impedes our ability to focus on the present moment, which is critical for encoding memories.