Finding ways to improve my memory and cognitive function was paramount after the damage I experienced from the depression medication I was on. After my 1st and second concussions, these tools were essential. It’s so frustrating when names and words don’t come when you need them. The good news is that there are ways to reconnect synapses and get your memory back. The benefit of these tools is that they help other cognitive functions as well. Here are my top 5 tools for rejuvenating your memory and cognitive function.
Ways To Improve Your Memory
- Sudoku
- Journaling
- Learn A New Language
- Play A Musical Instrument
- Word Games
Sudoku
One of the first things that my Doctor suggested to help repair the damaged synapses in my brain was Sudoku. I was never great at math, so I was a little intimidated by this suggestion. I was blown away by how easy it was to access and to do. You can get print versions at the dollar store with varying degrees of difficulty. There are also many Sudoku apps that you can get for your phone, ipad, or other computer devices.
I downloaded one on my phone, and was surprised at how easy they were; My kids even started playing them as well! Before long I was able to move onto the intermediate games. At first my brain would be really tired after only one game, but within a week I could do 3-5 games per day and not get tired. My memory improved, and the brain fog decreased. I also found it to be a fun way to burn through time waiting in lineups, appointments, or just waiting for my kids. This turned out to be a very effective and cost efficient (apps are free) way to improve my memory.
Journaling
Journaling is a great way to improve your memory and cognitive function as well. There is something about the physical act of writing on paper that really helps cement things in your brain. You’d be amazed at how intricate the act of writing your thoughts down on paper really is. Your mind really has to work hard to create the thoughts, send them from your brain to your fingers, and then translate them into words on paper. The brains God gave us are truly miraculous!
For people recovering from traumatic brain injury, learning to write again is quite the feat! So even if you are copying quotes or bible verses, take the time to write them out. It’s a really great tool to get your brain to reconnect all the synapses again. Another fun thing to do is to grab a thesaurus and come up with better words to describe how you are feeling, or want to feel. This will stretch your vocabulary, while helping your cognitive muscles to grow! You’ll be amazed at how great it makes you feel too, and you’ll be able to look back and see how far you’ve come!!!
Learn A New Language
Learning a new language is an incredible way to exercise your memory and cognitive function. With incredible apps like Duolingo available for free, there is no language you can’t learn. My whole family is learning different languages at the moment including Spanish, French, Norwegian, German, and even Korean (depending on whose phone you have). At first I focused on Spanish so I could speak with my in-laws more easily.
It was challenging in the beginning, but working my memory muscles to learn new words and remember old ones helped me on so many levels. It helped rebuild the synapses that were damaged, and showed me that I was capable of so much more. The break throughs I got on my good days, helped me keep going on the days I struggled. By not giving up, my memory improved and the episodes of brain fog became fewer. Plus, I now have the bonus of having short conversations with my extended family, and understand their chatter so much better.
Play A Musical Instrument
Whether you pick up a new instrument, or start again with one you already played, studies show this is a great way to help your cognitive function. It’s been long understood that music and math use the same parts of the brain. The amount of work the brain does in connecting the fingers to the keys, coordinating breath support, and translating notes on a page into music is astronomical! When I’m really overwhelmed and stressed, sitting down to play my piano gives me incredible relief.
Sadly, due to my two concussions in 2023, I still haven’t been able to play my French Horn. The pressure it takes to blow into the mouthpiece is too much for my brain. It still causes massive headaches for me. I’m looking forward to the day it doesn’t, but for now I have to stick to piano, and singing. There is nothing better than hearing a song on the radio and singing along full force. I still have work to do to get my full range back, but I’m happy to say that it has gotten better with time.
Word Games
Word games like Wordscapes, CodyCross:Crossword puzzles, and Magic Jigsaw Puzzles are really beneficial as well. These help the brain to access your memory bank, which is really important for your cognitive function. There are so many word games you can choose from, whether you choose an app on your devices or get a print copy at the dollar store.
It’s really important to have a fun way to help the synapses start working together again. Children of all ages are more likely to do something hard – if it’s fun! So find a word game app that you like, and start having fun while you repair your brain. Even if you haven’t experienced brain trauma, it’s never too late to improve your brain. You may even discover new fun things you want to try!
In Conclusion
Improving brain health and engagement is really important at all stages of life. When you find that your memory is slipping, or not what it used to be, there is no need to panic. There are many free non-invasive options to get it back. You can try all the options above as I have, or you can pick and choose the ones that appeal to you most! I hope you now see that there are many ways to improve your memory, and are inspired to get started today!
I’d love to know which of the suggestions above you have tried, and what your experience was with them. If you would like any help improving your memory or cognitive function, please reach out to me at andrea@nopainallgain.ca, and I’d be happy to help!
As a natural encourager, I live to help others!!! One-on-one coaching is a great way to start building your confidence, and improve your health! I help people with Fibromyalgia and chronic illness manage their symptoms with ease, so they never feel held back again! Click here for an application form and I would be happy to help you in your journey. Subscribe to my weekly newsletter by clicking here. You can also contact me at andrea@nopainallgain.ca or check out my website: www.nopainallgain.ca
