1- Continue to learn new things. Active, deliberate learning encourages growth of new brain synapses. The goal is to challenge yourself, but not to a point that it becomes stressful.

2 - Manage stress. Memory is vulnerable to long periods of extreme stress. Chronic stress prompts the release of cortisol, a fight or flight hormone. Elevated levels of cortisol can actually damage memory cells in the hippocampus of the brain.

3 - Be flexible. Research indicates that individuals who develop rigid response patterns experience sharper declines in mental abilities than people whose lifestyles remain more flexible.

4 - Get plenty of sleep. Memories are created in three stages, one of which requires sleep. Adequate rest also affects concentration, creative thinking and alertness.

5- Exercise your concentration. In today's busy, multi-tasking world, we don't take the time to focus on one thing and one thing alone. Practice blocking out other distractions and concentrating on one specific task or project.

Black Book Bingo

Bingo Player Network