By Henry Brown

It doesn’t matter what age you are, everyone forgets things. Maybe you don’t feel as sharp as you once were. It happens to everyone, and while significant memory loss occurs more often in older people, it is generally not due to ageing but to organic disorders, brain injury, or neurological illness. There are things you can do to help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of dementia with some essential good health habits such as staying physically active, getting enough sleep, not smoking, having good social connections, limiting alcohol to one drink a day and eating a balanced diet low in saturated and trans fats.

Health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, depression, and hypothyroidism can impair cognitive skills, so it is vital to stay healthy to avoid and prevent these issues. When running a business, or doing any job, It is essential to keep your brain sharp and challenged. Having a positive mental attitude in business is critical for success, and while it won’t offer a quick fix for you, it will help with the everyday challenges you face. Here are tips on how you can keep your mind active, your brain sharp and your memory at its best to make sure your business runs as successfully as possible.

Use your brain wisely

There’s no point wasting brain energy on little things like trying to find your keys or your wallet; you need to reserve this energy for things that matter or things that your brain is better used for. A straightforward solution is to make sure you have a routine and to put things like your keys and wallet in the same place every day, so you always know where they are.

Make the most of calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and address books to keep routine information accessible. It is also essential to keep relevant documents or emails on your computer in the same folders, so you know where they are when you need them. Keep your home and office clean and clear. Have an excellent tidy up routinely to stop the build-up of clutter as this can lead to distractions and mean you have to waste time and energy on finding things which should be simple.

Eat brain food

A good, healthy diet is essential for just about every aspect of your life. It is the key to many health issues, and it is just as crucial for your mind as it is for your body. There are lots of foods you can eat to improve your memory as they are filled with certain antioxidants and vitamins. Try to include more green tea, blueberries, salmon, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, dark chocolate and turmeric to your daily diet. Experts also say that a glass of red wine every so often is good for you. Another vital vitamin to take is Vitamin B12, according to supplement manufacturer, Superior, there is strong scientific evidence that if you don’t have enough B12, then this could affect your mental health and attitude.

Get enough sleep

Getting enough sleep is essential for you to function properly in every way. If you don’t have enough sleep, this can affect your memory, and you might start forgetting things, so make sure you get enough rest to keep your brain alert. Go to bed at a reasonable time and switch off all technology to give your mind a chance to switch off completely. If you have trouble sleeping, try some meditation apps that can help to relax you.

Have a mental workout

Challenging your brain is just as important as challenging your body. Giving your mind a good workout makes you sharper and far better at remembering things you need to. There are plenty of apps on brain training or puzzle books you can get into to keep your brain active and keep you busy too. Make the most of the time travelling on a train or bus when you can do some brain training or make time each day to do just ten minutes to work out your brain. You’ll thank yourself for it.

Keep learning

Go one step further and don’t just challenge your brain each day but keep learning. According to experts, advanced education may help keep the memory active by getting you into the habit of being mentally active. Getting a new hobby or learning a new skill can help with keeping your brain sharp.

Join a book club to make sure you are reading regularly; play chess or bridge; write your life story; take a class, or pursue music or art. Push yourself to keep learning in your business too, whether it’s to learn a new system or software, going on courses or keeping abreast the industry and new policies and procedures. Have a full understanding of what goes on in your business, including the HR and accounts as this will give you something new to learn but also give you more understanding of your business.

Write things down

While having all this technology at your fingertips is great for making notes and keeping records, it is far from ideal when it comes to keeping your brain active. The actual act of writing something down with a pen and paper helps to register the information in your mind, which allows you to recover it later. Keep a notepad and paper on you at all times and write things down that you know you need to remember. Keep one by the side of your bed in case any thoughts come to you before bed.

Exercise

A healthy body provides for a healthy mind. Not only does practice make the brain work better, getting the blood pumping makes it work harder. Your brain will become stronger if you get more air into your lungs and get your heart rate pulsing faster. Whatever you choose to do, whether it’s a regular jog around your local park, working out at home or going to the gym, keep it consistent and ensure you schedule in time to work on your body and your health as well as your business because working on your body will make working on your firm even more straightforward.

Talk to someone new every week

Working in a small business, it is easy to get lost in your world and just focused on what you’re trying to achieve. However, you need to remember that there is a whole world outside your immediate colleagues and talking to different and new people can bring you all sorts of benefits. Every week, have a goal to speak to someone you don’t know. This could be through a social network such as LinkedIn; it could be via networking events, or by simply picking up the telephone. It’s really good for business to have plenty of contacts, but it’s also perfect for your mind too. You can learn from new people; your mind will stay sharp while you speak to them, asking questions and keeping interested.

Focus on your vision

When you’re focused on what to achieve every day, it can be hard to remember what the bigger picture is. Time flies and the days go by, and it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day running of the business and your daily to-do list. Add to your list that you need to regularly consult your overall vision and business goals to make sure you’re on track. This is very important because the vision of your business should change and mold with the world in which it inhabits, and with your growing confidence and experience.

Treat yourself

Everyone loves a treat, and if you’re running your own business, you’ll need to treat yourself as there might not be anyone else to do it for you. Give yourself mini-rewards when you reach your short-term goals or hit particular commercial milestones as this will make the hard work all the more worthwhile and ensure you fully appreciate your own efforts.

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Henry Brown is an online marketing executive. When he isn’t talking shop, he’s roaming the streets of London, uncovering the extra-ordinary in the ordinary.