My Memory

[richardp69]

I guess it was inevitable but it surely seems to me that I can't retain memories as well as I used to. I see all these ads for pills etc. but i think the last thing I need in my life right now are more pills.

Instead I've been trying to play songs every morning for at least 2 hours each day. Although my guitar work tends to be simplistic and not all that challenging, I think it still helps to try to remember all the notes and chords. Maybe even more challenging is trying to remember the thousands of words that go along with all of the songs. I've been playing a lot of older songs I used to do back in the day and it's been fun and I think good for me. I'm not sure if it's helping me remember things better or not but at least it is enjoyable.

Anyway, just a thought for the day.

 

[Opsimath]

No doubt an excellent thing to do, and I'll bet your playing and singing are mesmerizing.

 

[GGJaguar]

Yes, playing an instrument and singing are supposed to help retain cognitive function as we age. Just keep doing what you're doing!

 

[gjmalcyon]

Here's Harvard Med's take on it (and playing music is on the list):

Protecting against cognitive decline - Harvard Health

While there's currently no treatment that can prevent or cure dementia, researchers have identified some factors that may help protect you from cognitive decline.ExerciseExercise offers an impressi...

www.health.harvard.edu

Learning a new language also appears on most lists of brain-stimulating activities.

 

[Guildedagain]

Xanax causes temporary Alzheimer's, and in a friend's mom's case possibly permanent, to the end.

Five Drugs that May Impair Your Memory

Modern medicine can help us calm anxiety, lower blood pressure and reduce chronic pain. But certain medications can cause memory loss.

memorialsatillahealth.com

Rosemary improves memory?

Make lots of Rosemary chicken with potatoes, and you'll be fine.

 

[Rocky]

I see all these ads for pills etc.

Ever since they allowed "results not substantiated by the FDA" type ads, the food supplement industry has grown to be a $35-50 billion industry in the US alone, preying on people's fears.

It reminds me of "two out of three people are enriched..."

</veer>

 

[fronobulax]

I have a friend who is 98. Over the years she has been fluent in English and four other languages. She has a story about speaking and not being able to remember the English word for something. We joke because we both forget English words in English conversations.

Note that some memory loss is expected as part of aging and does not, by itself, indicate an onset of dementia. If you are worried about dementia then talk with a medical professional. If you are just "bothered" by it then you are doing exactly what is recommended by people who aren't trying to sell you something - do things that engage your brain and playing music is high on that list.

 

[davismanLV]

I feel your pain, Richard. Honestly. I went into the bathroom and grabbed the drawer handle and yanked it open. I watched some stuff slide around and slam into the lenses of my second pair of glasses. I thought, "That can't be good." So I washed and polished them, put them in the case, and put them someplace "safe". That was well over a year ago. I've torn this place up looking for them everywhere. Can't find them. They're safe alright.

 

[GGJaguar]

put them someplace "safe".

Been there, done that. I hate when that happens!

 

[twocorgis]

Been there, done that. I hate when that happens!

Ditto!

 

[walrus]

As I approach retirement, lots of conversations with friends about "what are you going to all day?" But as it's been said by several posts, it's equally important to keep you mind active as well as it is your body.

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

I used not know where stuff was at, but lately have been hiding things from myself, and that really sucks.

 

[Stuball48]

My memory and your memory must be close kin, Richard.
My guitar routine is to choose a notebook of about 80 songs and play 8--10 of them then next time/next day play 8-10 more. My memory does pretty well with first and last verses but those in between get, mostly, humming.

 

[HeyMikey]

I feel your pain, Richard. Honestly. I went into the bathroom and grabbed the drawer handle and yanked it open. I watched some stuff slide around and slam into the lenses of my second pair of glasses. I thought, "That can't be good." So I washed and polished them, put them in the case, and put them someplace "safe". That was well over a year ago. I've torn this place up looking for them everywhere. Can't find them. They're safe alright.

LOL. Tom when I lose my glasses and search for them my wife is typically the one who ends up finding them - on top of my head. Yeah…

 

[bobouz]

My memory has always sucked.
Welcome to my world!

 

[wileypickett]

"My memory is good, it just doesn't last very long." --D.L. Menard

 

[davismanLV]

LOL. Tom when I lose my glasses and search for them my wife is typically the one who ends up finding them - on top of my head. Yeah…

Not as bad as when I'm frantically looking for my phone before we leave for somewhere. Don's like, "What's going on?" "I can't find my phone!!" "Uhmmm, try your left hand?"