As we age, many people fear losing a part of themselves to memory loss. Not being able to recall important people and places in your life can be debilitating.  Keeping your mind sharp can mean a vast improvement in your quality of life as well as helping to feel as though you are maintaining your identity.

Improving your memory is, in many ways, like getting proper exercise for your body.  Many people find that mediation or prolonged periods of concentration makes them feel fresh and able to think more clearly.  If you are finding that you can't remember where you set down your car keys, you might be trying to do too much at one time. Slow down.  Focus on what you are doing as you are doing it.  As you force yourself to pay attention you'll find that your memory is beginning to be honed and improved.

Challenge yourself.  Read a good book or start doing crossword puzzles.  Play chess.  Take a new class.  We should be lifelong learners if we wish to use our brains to their full capacity, so continually look for new ways to stretch yourself and new things that you can learn.  Keeping your mind stimulated is also a good way to keep things focused and clear.  Provide yourself with some variety as well, which will keep your brain from becoming bored and tuning out.  You can also improve your memory by taking care of your body as well. Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of rest and exercise to stay sharp mentally.