where women celebrate their ageless authenticity

What's Happening In A Senior Moment?

Wait, it’s on the tip of my tongue…

You forget someone’s name when you enter the room, or can’t recall the pin number for the debit card you used yesterday… The title of the movie you saw last week eludes you… As nerve-wracking as it is, brief memory lapses can happen to anyone, but since they’re more common in older adults, we’ve arrived at our senior moment.

While the non-medical term reinforces the perception that older people aren’t capable, you don’t have to be a senior to have a senior moment. Memory glitches can crop up as early as in our 20s. It was researchers from the Gerontological Society of America who noted that the ageist term found its way into American slang in 1997, and has become a catch all ever since.

At least we’re not alone. Age-related memory changes happen to everyone. And our fast paced society most likely increases our chances of having a brain freeze or mind blip — whether it’s multi-tasking or pings from our phones competing for our undivided attention.

mature woman sleeping

Harvard Health reminds us of the seven common causes of forgetfulness:

  1. Lack of sleep
  2. Medications (tranquilizers, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs can affect memory)
  3. Under-active thyroid (a blood test lets you know if your thyroid is working properly)
  4. Alcohol
  5. Stress
  6. Anxiety
  7. Depression

As we age we slow down, and so do the connections in our brains. That means we don’t process information as quickly as when we were younger. Age-related memory changes are normal. When they interfere with your day-to-day livelihood it may be time to talk with your health provider. Just know, if you’re having a senior moment, you’re likely to remember it, and that’s a good sign, because someone with dementia doesn’t often realize they’re struggling to remember things.

The good news is, we’ve got this!

Mature women looks up to the words How to Keep Your Memory Sharp

  • Exercise regularly, including aerobic activity.
  • Get consistent quality sleep.
  • Manage stress with whatever works for you – exercise, yoga, meditation, music, humor.
  • Try using memory tricks like mnemonics.
  • Activate your brain by learning new facts and skills (crossword puzzle, Wordle, painting)
  • Organize your mental clutter with a calendar or lists.
  • Maintain a healthy lifestyle, don’t smoke or abuse alcohol or drugs.

 

MY TAKEAWAY:      Why not change a senior moment into a wisdom moment?

  • When we say “I’m having a senior moment” we’re already labeling it in a mental box, putting it on a shelf (categorizing it) and securing it with a tight lid of frustration. Now we’ve added pressure and another layer of angst. Then we take it further by introducing fearful self-talk. “Why is this happening, there must be something really wrong with me, is it a sign of what’s to come?”

 

  • As a wisdom moment we can be more accepting with “it’s not coming to me right now, but I’ll get back to it.” Acknowledging it, rather than going into battle, makes it like a cloud that’s temporarily blocking the sun that is always shining. No need to attach a story, it will pass.

 

  • Give it a road test and see if this embracing approach helps you feel better and keeps you engaged in the moment, which ultimately opens up the space for “the word” to arrive without all the drama.

 

Whenever your next “wisdom moment” presents itself, just see it for what it is, nothing more than a pause and another opportunity to meet yourself right where you are. Because you are amazing, and that’s worth remembering again and again.

woman embracing sweetly his dog while looking the view of lake

All wellness related content on Intentfully FiT is provided for general information and conversation only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the professional medical advice of your own physician or any other healthcare professional or medical practitioner. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local healthcare provider. This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional treatment, diagnosis, or medical advice, and should never be relied upon for specific medical recommendations.