Concerns about Memory Loss

[Australis]

When I was getting tired all the time, I tried something called l-glutamine. It's an amino acid, sharpens brain activity, cuts sugar craving, feel less tired, and helps memory. Give it a whirl. I use Nature's Own brand (100mg/day), but there are others.

 

[Velocity]

I was having trouble remembering all the things I needed to accomplish at home and at the office so I bought a dayplanner. I write the things I need to get accomplished during the work day on the left page and the things I need to remember for home on the right page for each day. I write them down as they come up and for the future (when library books are due, etc). It really helps keep me focussed because it's amazing how fast I can forget something because so much is still incoming. I'm 57 so my brain is probably shrinking, but also I have so much to juggle between work and home it isn't terribly surprising that I forget some things.

 

[Ood Sigma]

When I was getting tired all the time, I tried something called l-glutamine. It's an amino acid, sharpens brain activity, cuts sugar craving, feel less tired, and helps memory. Give it a whirl. I use Nature's Own brand (100mg/day), but there are others.

I don't know that I've ever heard of that, but I'll keep an eye out for it. I think I've taken B12 and B6 before.

I was having trouble remembering all the things I needed to accomplish at home and at the office so I bought a dayplanner. I write the things I need to get accomplished during the work day on the left page and the things I need to remember for home on the right page for each day. I write them down as they come up and for the future (when library books are due, etc). It really helps keep me focussed because it's amazing how fast I can forget something because so much is still incoming. I'm 57 so my brain is probably shrinking, but also I have so much to juggle between work and home it isn't terribly surprising that I forget some things.

I never thought my life was busy enough for a dayplanner. Tasks at work are put into Outlook with reminders, so I generally don't have any issues there (although sometimes I'll hit Dismiss on a reminder, intended to get up in 2 minutes to go somewhere, and then get glued to what I'm doing and not remember for a half hour).

I did receive as a gift a voice recorder for making verbal "mental notes". It didn't work as well as I'd have liked because I would forget to take it with me half the time. Sad but true. I think I'd do the same with a dayplanner. I actually did OK with a PDA but one day it spontaneously exploded (thankfully on the seat of my car and not in my pocket!)

 

[Spot's Meow]

I'm also extremely left-brain weak. Making art holds no interest for me (and I'm no good at it any way). I tried writing once, and even though I consider myself to have an excellent grasp of the English language, both in grammar and vocabulary, I have all the creativity of a pumpkin. Reading is a good interest of mine, but I think you were suggesting something more creative. I'll have to consider that, trying to think of something that is enjoyable and that I'm decent at.

I'm the same way, all artistic creativity seemed to drain out of me as I grew older. But there are two activities I do that help relax my mind and clear it up, and they don't really require creativity. They are crocheting and paint-by-numbers. In both cases they only require following a pre-set pattern which is simple enough to do, yet it takes your mind off anything else going on and you end up with a beautiful (and in the case of crocheting) useful product. Something like that might help.

 

[Ood Sigma]

I'm the same way, all artistic creativity seemed to drain out of me as I grew older. But there are two activities I do that help relax my mind and clear it up, and they don't really require creativity. They are crocheting and paint-by-numbers. In both cases they only require following a pre-set pattern which is simple enough to do, yet it takes your mind off anything else going on and you end up with a beautiful (and in the case of crocheting) useful product. Something like that might help.

No way I could crochet - my wife does it and she's shown me how and I just can't do it. I'm terrible at things that involve moving things in 3 dimensions like that - I also can't tie knots or copy dance moves. However, I did once take up cross-stitching, which my wife also taught me, and it's surprisingly relaxing and easy to do. And like you said, you end up with a nice, useful product. Haven't done it in years, though... maybe I should start it up again.

 

[SVD]

Have something to write with and something to write on with you at all times, use the back of your had if need be. When you've got something that you need to remember to do, writ it down the second you hear about it, or do it right that minute if possible.

 

[Sky]

However, I did once take up cross-stitching, which my wife also taught me, and it's surprisingly relaxing and easy to do. And like you said, you end up with a nice, useful product. Haven't done it in years, though... maybe I should start it up again.

Sounds good! I sometimes build model airplanes and paint Warhammer figures, which I find oddly relaxing as well (until I screw it up and end up throwing the figures against the wall..)