The Femme Files

The best way to improve your memory

Recent research has showed that regular exercise helps women stay not only physically fit but mentally healthy too, especially as we get older. One of the studies discovered that middle-aged women, defined as sixty years on average, were less likely to develop certain diseases in later years if they stayed active. Chronic diseases, cardiovascular issues and physical or mental declines after the age of seventy were less prone to occur in such females.

Another study found that a year of resistance training, 1-2 times a week, improved older women’s attention spans and conflict resolution skills – bonus in the office or when dealing with a stroppy grandchild! Resistance training also means denser bones and better flexibility as we age, too. A third study found that women aged over 55 who were involved in moderate to high exercise were less likely to have mental decline than those who did little to no exercise.

And if sweating it out at a gym or pounding the pavement isn’t your thing, there are some great 1 on 1 exercise based treatments out there which are not so intensive and guarantee great results.  I recently completed a course of 18 Hypoxi sessions to get back in shape after the birth of my son. The combination of compression therapy and exercise left me feeling rejuvenated, with more energy, better circulation and getting more sleep.  Not to mentioned the 32cm I managed to drop from my stomach, hips and thighs…

The bottom line is that it’s never to late to start exercising and see benefits, but don’t wait until you hit middle age – start now!  We challenge you to take the following memory test:(http://www.onlinegamingzone.com/memorygame2.html)

Then, kick start your exercise program for 4 weeks, aiming to exercise 4 times a week for 40 min a session.  Take the test again at the end of the 4 weeks (at the same time of the day you took the first test) and see whether your score improves.  We’d be interested to hear how you go.