After the age of sixty, we sometimes forget a first name or look for our glasses without success. Still, if you can still recite the words to a childhood song or give the exact address of your first house, that’s a great sign. The Spanish daily The Razon identified nine memories that demonstrate a well-trained memory.
The 9 memories that reveal a vivid and precise memory
- Old telephone numbers: If you can still recite your old landline or that of a loved one, this is a sign of a strong long-term memory;
- The first names of your childhood friends: Remembering the names of your school friends, even after decades, demonstrates excellent recall ability;
- The plan of your childhood home: Remembering each room, the color of the walls or the location of the old sofa, proves that your visual memory is intact;
- The lyrics of a period song: Music acts as a powerful emotional anchor. If the words come back naturally, your associative memory works wonderfully;
- The address of your first home: Being able to state the full address where you grew up shows a well-trained autobiographical memory;
- Long-forgotten hobbies: If you pick up an old hobby again without hesitation, your procedural memories have remained ingrained;
- The anecdotes you like to tell: When you are able to repeat word for word a story already shared a thousand times, your narrative memory is at its peak;
- Birthday dates of distant friends: Remembering these dates proves that your brain remembers numerical and symbolic information;
- Insignificant details from the past: If you are the only one to remember a small scene or a fact forgotten by others, this shows that your mind remains curious and selective.
When should you worry about memory loss?
Forgetting is not necessarily worrying. Dr. Christophe de Jaeger, gerontologist, recalls: “There are three stages in memorizing a fact: acquisition, which requires attention; a time when we keep this data in our memory; and finally, finding information in the library of our brain“.
These memory losses can be temporary, linked to fatigue or stress. But some become persistent, particularly in cases of neurological diseases. “These occasional memory losses should be distinguished from memory disorders, called mild cognitive impairment by the Americans, which are due to a pathology altering cognitive functions, particularly immediate memory. These disorders are present in a sustained manner“.
When forgetting keeps happening or your loved ones notice it, it may be time to consult a specialist. As Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician, points out: “Especially if it becomes difficult to solve simple everyday problems, to follow instructions, to make decisions…“
How to stimulate and maintain your memory
Memory is worked on every day. Neurologists recommend small, simple exercises: reading aloud, playing cards, or interpreting the time on a watch with hands. These gestures maintain attention and working memory.
A study published in Natural Human Behavior also reveals that regular use of smartphones and computers slows cognitive decline. Mental activity and digital socialization stimulate the brain.
Finally, a healthy lifestyle remains essential: balanced diet, physical activity, and strong social relationships. These combined factors nourish cognitive abilities and preserve long-term memory.