Despite what you may have heard, memory loss is not an inevitable part of aging - in fact, it is possible to enjoy good long and short term memory at any stage of life. It's just a matter of keeping your mind active and engaged. If, however, you do happen to find that things are slipping your mind more than they used to, here are some factors to consider. How busy are you? If you are working yourself ragged, there may be little mental energy left over to deal with other tasks. The result is memory loss - or, at least, you may feel as though you are experiencing memory loss. In reality, you may just be overextending yourself. You might not be able to pay attention to detail if you simply have too many details to think about. Everybody's mind needs - and deserves to get - a break now and again! To deal with this type of memory loss, try giving yourself a break. The human mind is very self-protective, and possibly you are 'spacing out' because you have more than enough to do already! If you're convinced that your memory loss is due to something other than just simple overwork, however, there are other measures you can consider. For example, it is very helpful to have a regular routine, and a regular place to put things around the house. If you always put your keys in exactly the same place when you come home, there is little chance that you will lose them or forget

where they are. If you always follow the same routine, it gets imprinted on your mind as time goes on. You are less likely to experience much memory loss if you are organized and have a regular routine. In fact, this is true for everyone, completely regardless of age! We all benefit from having an orderly, relatively clutter-free existence. Reinforce your organization by writing notes and lists. Because writing involves a large muscle group, it helps ideas become fixed in your mind, minimizing memory loss. And then, of course, the notes or lists themselves are invaluable - they provide written records of your day, as well as being directives. Writing things down is the classic way to avoid memory loss, and it still works just as well as it ever did. Memory loss is not inevitable, regardless of what you may have heard. Many people enjoy excellent memory well into their seventies, eighties or nineties.

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