Supporting Memory: Practical Ways to Work With Memory and Acuity

If you feel like your memory isn’t what it used to be, you are not alone! We are all overloaded  pick up the phone in the morning, so much flashes before our eyes—it’s no wonder that we retain very little of it.

There are practical ways to support memory and acuity. Diets that encourage you to eat high-quality, minimally processed foods can be very supportive. Leading an active lifestyle that includes moving the body and engaging with the world, and less time in front of the computer or on the phone can be of benefit as well. There are some common themes that can benefit most people, and there are also ways to support you specifically, including lab tests, herbs or supplements—tailored to your lifestyle, constitution, and physical condition.

Working with your attention is one of the strongest supports for memory. As we go about our day, our body, mind, and feelings generally function separately. It’s no wonder we don’t remember what happens throughout the day. Our body participates in one activity, and the mind is thinking about something totally different. You lose your keys because you weren’t really there when you put them down!

When we bring body and mind together, stress and anxiety naturally decrease, replaced by a more harmonious and balanced posture towards life. We aren’t as worried about remembering each detail, because we experience life as it happens.

Having body-mind connection in daily life takes practice. We can begin by paying attention to our breath, movement, and the simple activities of the body. The Nine Principles of Harmony are an invaluable tool for this. As you walk down the street, you can work with the principle of Body Comfortable, or No Hurry/No Pause, or cook dinner with the principle of Full Participation. When you are present, you don’t just know where you are and what you are doing, but HOW you are as you are doing it.

Alexandra Johnson, MD practices integrative, functional family medicine and Breema bodywork. She finds this approach invaluable for supporting mental, physical and emotional health. She also has extensive experience working with other professionals and health professionals to alleviate burnout, chronic fatigue, and compassion fatigue. She hasclinic locations and teaches workshops in Santa Cruz and Oakland.

Alexandra Johnson, MD