Supporting Our Own Memory

"Meditators with at least 4 years of practice have a higher degree of gyrification, the folding in the cerebral cortex that's crucial for memory and consciousness."  UCLA research

The stress of caregiving can take a toll on our overall health, to include our memory.  One way to counteract both the stress and the damage it can do to our health, is to meditate.  Some people are turned off thinking that meditation is part of a religion, but it does not need to be.  The act of meditating -- becoming silent, trying to maintain no thoughts (some practitioners suggest we notice the thoughts and just let them go), and deep breathing -- can be viewed just as a relaxation practice if one is uncomfortable thinking of it as spiritual.  The key is to maintain the practice.  Proponents suggest at least 20 minutes every day of deep relaxation is beneficial to our health.  It is easy to think we don't have time for meditation, but consider this:  perhaps it is better to consider that our lives -- the quality of them -- depends on practices such as meditation.  There are many, many resources to help or guide us in meditation if we have trouble practicing it on our own.  I suggest we implement this as part of our daily routine.  Our lives may depend on it.