1. Staying active
As Professor Blanchard, head of the geriatrics department at the University Hospital of Reims, reminds us: "Unlike batteries, memory only wears out if we don't use it. So to protect it, we must use it and even abuse it. Above all, by keeping up a social activity. Reading, watching films or doing crossword puzzles are not enough to maintain your memory, you also have to tell your friends and family what is interesting.
2. Be attentive
Generally speaking, to remember better, you have to pay attention to what you are doing, whether you are reading a text or putting your glasses on the dresser. Do not remain passive in front of the television. Try to make an effort to memorise so that you can, for example, list the titles at the end of a programme, or force yourself to remember at least five pieces of information each time.
When reading a book, pause after a chapter. Think for a few moments about what you have just read. The next day, when you resume reading, make a brief mental summary of the previous events. You can apply this discipline of mind to this booklet!
3. Be interested
Emotionality is important: it is very difficult for us to remember what seems meaningless and uninteresting. The more emotional cues we put in, the better we remember. Professional retirement should not mean intellectual retirement. A wide range of activities - such as cooking, tinkering, gardening, reading, playing scrabble, bridge, doing crosswords, puzzles - can stimulate and thus maintain brainpower. The important thing is to have fun and to vary the activities. It is important to remember that the speed that we lose with age can be compensated for by experience and motivation.
4. Maintaining a social life
Professional retirement should not mean less social retirement. Isolation is the greatest enemy of memory. It is essential to discuss and debate with others on a daily basis. Why not take an active part in an association? Or get involved in tutoring? Maintaining a social life is the best stimulant.
5. Be regular
For routine tasks, one way to remember to water the plants or take your medicine, for example, is to do the task at the same time each day and associate it with a particular event, such as a meal of the day or a weekly show.
6. Being organised
If you have trouble remembering proper names, listen carefully when people you don't know are introduced to you, and think of a strategy that will help your memory process this new information more efficiently. For example, notice a physical, clothing or other detail that you can associate with their name: Rene / red / laughing... Barbara / boots / curly hair... You can provide yourself with "crutches" by writing down useful information that you fear you will not remember: a written aid is reassuring!
7. See
When you are reading, try to blink on average once per line. Similarly, as soon as you switch from near to far vision (or from far to near vision), remember to blink. When reading, watching TV, sewing (and generally for any kind of detailed work), look up from your work for a few seconds every 10 minutes. Feel free - at least once a day - to lie down, close your eyes, cover your eyes with your hands, and relax for a while.
8. Hear
Protect yourself as much as possible from noise. Especially avoid continuous background noise. Turn off the TV or radio when someone is talking to you. Place yourself preferably on the periphery of a group rather than in the centre: so that you are not surrounded by different noises. In general, try to give preference to conversations between two people rather than group conversations. Practise always looking straight at the other person when they are talking to you.
9. Orienting oneself in time
Every morning, ask yourself what the specific date is, and then try to remember what you did the day before. In general, when you have a project, a specific appointment, an invitation, always try to remember in advance the precise dates and periods. Also try from time to time to remember what you were doing the previous year at the same time.
Every evening, before dinner, plan the next day's schedule in your head. For example, 10am hairdresser, 1pm visit to the neighbour, 3pm doctor's appointment etc. .... Think about it one last time before you go to bed, it helps to keep your memory fresh.
10. Orienting oneself in space
Take a map of your town or neighbourhood and mark your street. Then, with a pencil, try to follow, street by street, all the routes you know. You can also choose a street on the map of your neighbourhood and try to find all the shops and public places on that street.
Try to regularly remember the precise address of your family members, friends, shopkeepers, doctor, etc. Choose a place you know: a friend's flat for example. Try to remember the number of rooms, the floor plan, the place of the main furniture and objects in each room. Ask yourself where the telephone, television, toilet, etc. are located. You can draw and write to help you.
If you are watching the weather report on television, follow the presenter's comments on a map of France (or Europe). Then, as the comments are made, find the different cities and regions (or countries) mentioned.
Advice on taking Cognito
What is the available hindsight on phosphatidylserine?
Phosphatidylserine, the natural active ingredient of COGNITO, has been widely used for many years in Europe, the United States and Japan by thousands of people. A large amount of experience is available concerning its use at international level since the 1980s and 1990s.
What is the optimal duration of use of COGNITO?
COGNITO is based on the nutritional principle of gradually rebalancing the body's availability of phosphatidylserine. As a result, its effect is not immediate. The minimum duration of the cure is three months. A second course of treatment for a further 3 months can intensify and prolong the benefits. Of course, the duration of use of COGNITO and its possible renewal should be adjusted according to your individual case and your own needs.
What is a food supplement?
The purpose of a food supplement (also called a nutritional supplement) is to increase the body's availability of certain substances normally provided by the diet (which may be nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, etc.).
A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied and diversified diet, nor for medical treatment and adequate therapeutic care. A dietary supplement must be considered as an aid that can be useful, in addition to adequate hygienic and dietary, medical and therapeutic measures. COGNITO, like all dietary supplements in France, is not reimbursed by social security.
A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied and diversified diet, nor for medical supervision by your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Tolerance and safety of use of COGNITO
One of the positive points of phosphatidylserine, due to its nutritional principle, is the absence of medical contraindications and known drug interactions. Taking phosphatidylserine is completely free of adverse effects.
Precautions for use of COGNITO
The use of COGNITO® is not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women, nor for people allergic to soya. Only a diversified diet ensures a good nutritional balance. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
Keep out of reach of young children. Store in a dark, dry place. In case of allergy, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. Food supplement reserved for adults over 15 years of age.
COGNITO ® is a pharmaceutical quality product in accordance with European regulations. Made in the European Union.
Can I continue to take my other treatments?
Of course, and the opposite would be inadvisable! Taking COGNITO in no way alters your medical care by your doctor or your normal therapeutic management. It is of course imperative that you continue to take all the other treatments prescribed to you normally, that you scrupulously respect all the advice given to you by your doctor, and that you keep him/her informed of your intention to take COGNITO. One of the positive points of phosphatidylserine, due to its nutritional principle, is the absence of medical contraindications and known drug interactions.
Practical tips for observing COGNITO
You can take COGNITO with the meal of your choice. Then continue to take it daily at the same meal. If you find that you have forgotten to take it with your usual meal, you can take COGNITO with your next meal or before going to bed.
If you find that you have forgotten to take COGNITO on one day, do not take it twice on the next day. Forgetting one day is not serious and will not affect your overall response to COGNITO. Remember to take COGNITO every day thereafter, as this helps to maintain your memory.