COMMON HABITS

COMMON HABITS THAT ARE MAKING YOU MORE FORGETFUL

What Are Some Common Habits That Can Make You More Forgetful?

As a psychologist, some common habits can cause forgetfulness; effects of certain medications, lack of adequate Vitamin B12, high depression, stress or anxiety levels, sleep deprivation, substance and alcohol, and abuse.

Can anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition make you forgetful? Why?

Mental disorders such as anxiety, stress, and depression can contribute to forgetfulness as they heighten confusion, make it difficult to focus or concentrate, heighten memory lapse, slow down cognitive functioning, and impact short-term memory as you process and store information in the wrong way.

Can a lack of sleep make you more forgetful? Why?

Yes. Insufficient sleep slows down brain rest and resting, impacting how it stores and releases information. Poor sleep can inhibit the transfer of memories and information from the hippocampus to the cortex as the brainwaves stay stuck in the front lobe leading to forgetfulness. 

Can certain medications make you more forgetful?

In my opinion, some medications, such as anti-depressants, can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or confused, inhibiting how the brain receives, processes and stores new information leading to forgetfulness.

What can you do to help sharpen your memory?

I recommend you engage in regular exercises, consume foods high in healthy fats, proteins, complex carbs, and vitamins to support brain health, get adequate sleep daily, quit alcohol and substance abuse, make a habit of reading or learning new tricks, socialize, and try challenging quizzes or games.

Ieva Kubiliute
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Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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