Did you know there was a World Elephant Day? There is, and this year it’s on Friday 12th August. It’s a day where we’re encouraged to consider the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants. 

Elephants are majestic and graceful and exist in a matriarchal society, which fits in perfectly with the OYG Community vibe. Aside from their tusks and ears, the thing that stands out for us about elephants is their ability to remember - something that as humans, we sometimes struggle with.

They say an elephant never forgets, so let's extend that and say - an OYG Warrior never forgets! Here’s how to improve your memory…

• Brain training is perhaps one of the best things we can do to keep our brain active and strong. Just like training our muscles makes them healthier, the same goes for our brain. However, brain training won’t make us break out in a sweat - unless it’s a particularly fiendish sudoku or cryptic crossword! Invest in a puzzle book or download an app filled with word and number puzzles and commit to 15 or so minutes each day. 
• Omega 3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, such as sardines, salmon, herring and mackerel as well as walnuts and flax seeds. Omega 3 has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body, especially the heart and brain, helping to slow down mental decline. So fill up on our Smoked Salmon Buddha Bowl, snack on healthy unsalted walnuts and consider an omega 3 fish oil supplement. Vegan and vegetarian friendly omega 3 supplements are also available, made from algae - which is where fish get their omega 3 from anyway! 
• Exercise! Regular aerobic exercise has been proven to help protect against a decline in our cognitive function, that is, our ability to think, reason and remember. So not only will your OYG plan strengthen your body, it’ll strengthen your brain.
• Get enough good quality sleep - when we’re tired, it can be easy for us to become forgetful, and when we suffer a chronic lack of sleep, it can really impair our ability to function and remember. Getting consistently good sleep can be easier said than done (hello new babies, stress, noisy neighbours and menopause brain) but our tips for getting good quality sleep can help. 
• Learning something new or picking up an old skill or hobby again, is like a workout for our brain. So, much like completing a crossword puzzle, doing something that challenges the brain, such as learning to sew or to play an instrument is very beneficial for brain health.
• Drink less alcohol - many of us know the feeling of memory loss after a few too many G&Ts. But over the long term, regular alcohol use can negatively affect the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. Try keeping it to the weekend, avoid binge drinking and stick to 14 units or less each week.