We forget a name, we remember a song, we recall a childhood scent... Memory is the incredible faculty that enables us to record, store and retrieve information to better interact with our environment. A veritable biological hard disk, it stores our knowledge and know-how, as well as the memories that shape our identity. It is the foundation of our learning and our personality. But how does it really work? What are the different types of memory, and how do we maintain them on a daily basis? This article will help you to better understand this essential function and how to look after it naturally.
Memory is our ability to encode, store and recall information. It can be compared to a living library or a highly sophisticated hard disk.
The memory process is based on three main stages:
Example: When you learn a phone number, you encode it, memorize it, then find it again when you need it.
Not all information is stored in the same way, or in the same place in our brains. Research has identified several types of memory, which work together in complementary ways.
Here are the 5 main forms of memory:
These different memories are constantly interacting. They are interconnected to enable a fluid retrieval of our memories.
At the heart of this system: the hippocampus. This small brain organ acts like a conductor, coordinating transfers between short- and long-term memory.
It's often compared to a marshalling yard: information passes through it before being sent to the areas of the brain dedicated to its long-term storage.
A healthy lifestyle is an important factor in stimulating and maintaining memory. Sleep, diet, physical activity and social relations play an important role for our brain.
While we sleep, our brain sorts information: it consolidates the most important and eliminates the useless. This nocturnal work is essential for the long-term retention of learning. On the other hand, insufficient sleep (less than 6 hours a night) can impair memory and concentration.
The brain alone consumes almost 20% of our daily energy. It needs specific nutrients to function properly:
These elements help nerve transmission and protect brain cells. Conversely, a diet too rich in sugars and saturated fats can promote inflammation and impair long-term memory.
Eat a varied, balanced diet, rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals and healthy fats, to support your brain every day.
Exercise is also good for the head! Just 15 minutes of physical effort (such as cycling or brisk walking) stimulates the release of molecules that promote neuronal connections: endocannabinoids. These strengthen the hippocampus, the key memory zone.
Talking, sharing memories or learning new things from others stimulates different areas of the brain. Social relationships also reduce stress and isolation, two enemies of memory. In short, keeping in touch with loved ones, taking part in group activities or simply exchanging ideas on a daily basis is essential to maintaining a sharp memory.
The good news is that memory can be worked on at any age.
Here are a few simple gestures to adopt:
Memory is like a muscle: the more you use it, the better it performs over time.
*Omega-3 DHA contributes to normal brain function. Vitamins B2, B5, B6 and B9 help reduce fatigue.
*Magnesium and vitamin B6 contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous and psychological systems and reduce fatigue.
**EPA and DHA contribute to normal heart function, normal blood triglyceride levels and normal blood pressure. The beneficial effect is obtained by consuming 2g of EPA and DHA per day.