Many people experience a lack of sleep for different reasons. It could be due to stress, work, or even the environment. But how can it affect your productivity? Can lack of sleep cause memory problems? In this post, we will share the relationship between poor sleep quality and issues with memory.
Specifically for adults, poor quality sleep can result in memory loss and even brain deterioration. This is according to the recent study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. It was found out that important brain waves responsible for storing memories are produced as we rest during the night. These brain waves transfer the memories from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex – the part of the brain where memory is stored. So if you don’t get enough sleep, these memories will get stuck in the hippocampus.
More About the Study
The study consisted of 18 young adults in their 20s, plus 15 adults in their 70s. They were provided and tested with 120-word sets before going to bed, and a machine monitored their brain activity. After they woke up, they were tested again and underwent functional and structural Magnetic Resource Imaging scans.
Take note that the older adults had a deep sleep 75 percent lower than the younger participants. And the result was that their memory was worse the following day.
Types of Memories
Remember that there are various types of memories. We have the fact-based where an example would be remembering the presidents of the US. Others are episodic-based such as your first heartbreak. Also, there are memories that are based on instructions and procedures. A good example is how to play an instrument or how to drive a car.
How to Form Memories
In order to form memories, three things need to happen. These are Acquisition, Consolidation, and Recall.
When we say acquisition, this means you may be learning something new. From there, consolidation happens wherein the memory becomes more stable in the brain. And lastly, there should be recall where a person has the ability to access the memory in the future.
When we are awake, acquisition and recall take place. However, experts believe that sleep is necessary for consolidation to happen. It’s safe to say that retaining information might be more challenging if you do not have enough sleep.
Other Effects of Poor Sleep
It’s not only your memory that is affected when you don’t sleep well. It can also cause further health problems like obesity, diabetes, and even hypertension. Thus, we always highlight its importance to our holistic health. Sure, you have business reports to finish or social engagements to attend to. But now that you know the long-term effects of not having enough sleep, we hope you will change your lifestyle.
On the other hand, good sleep can improve your physical reflexes and fine motor skills. In addition, you are to make better judgment and decisions if you have the right quality of sleep. Studies show that those who sleep or even take a nap, perform better whether on school tests, at work, or even in sports.
How to Get The Right Quality of Sleep
The real question now is, how do you improve your sleeping habits. Some might think that taking sleeping pills is the solution, but we do not recommend it as the first step. Instead, we encourage you to tweak your lifestyle and follow the tips below.
Sleep and Wake Up The Same Time Every Day
Consistency is the key. You need to make sure that you have a proper schedule for sleeping and waking up. A good solution is to have a night routine so that you can quickly condition your body that it’s time to rest. Also, instead of placing your alarm clock near your bed, it’s best if you place it in an area where you will be compelled to stand up to turn it off.
Know the Right Time to Exercise
You’ve probably heard a thousand times that exercising is beneficial to have a quality sleep. But remember that working out at the right time is important too. Make sure that you don’t do heavy physical exercises three hours before your bedtime. Otherwise, it could also interfere with your sleep.
Eat The Right Food at the Right Time
Similar to exercising, knowing the right food to promote quality sleep isn’t enough. Eating at the right time is essential too. According to experts, You must schedule your last meal two to three hours before your bedtime.
If you want to know about how sleep can affect your memory, watch this short video.
Best Products for Memory Problems
We have here a few products that could help you improve your sleep cycle and memory function.
USCCE Loud Dual Alarm Clock with Bed Shaker
Check the latest price on Amazon.
We understand that most of us use our smartphones as alarm clocks. But we have to admit, it’s so easy to snooze it and get back to sleep. Since we want you to have a consistent sleep/wake schedule, why don’t you have this loud dual alarm clock? It’s relatively small but is loud enough to keep you awake. The alarm is also easy to set up and comes with a USB port where you can charge your phone as you sleep.
One of its users had a humorous review about the product where he said, “It will wake up your lazy teenagers, deaf granny, drunk husband, and dead auntie.” We believe he made his point clear.
Purely Optimal Brain Booster
Check the latest price on Amazon.
And lastly, we have this brain booster supplement that has helped thousands of people. If you are experiencing brain fog, this is highly recommended. The product is rich in alpha-GPC, lion’s mane and several brain-boosting ingredients. It is made in the USA so you can guarantee its quality. But don’t take our word for it.
Most of its customers claim that it works. In fact, one of them shared how she used to be forgetful and anxious most days. However, when she took the supplement, it significantly changed her life. And we bet it could do the same for you too.
Remember to ask your doctor if you can take the supplements. While it is generally safe, it might not work best for people suffering from other health conditions.
Conclusion, Can Lack of Sleep Cause Memory Problems?
With recent studies, we can already say that poor sleep quality is never good for our memory. Yes, our memory indeed declines as we age, but there are ways to delay it. Having a healthy lifestyle, including a good sleeping habit, is necessary to keep our memory sharp.
Come to think of it. Many people are investing in products that can make their physical appearance look younger. Why should we not do the same for our brains? Hopefully, the tips above enlightened you. And at the same time, please take a look at our product recommendations and see which ones might help you get quality sleep and sharper brains.
