In the meantime, there are many things you can do to boost your mood, support your memory, and enjoy your life right now. Here are six ways to get started.
1. Empower Yourself With Knowledge
Stave off feelings of helplessness by learning as much as you can about the condition. Educating yourself gives you a sense of power over the situation, says Dylan Wint, MD, a neurologist and psychiatrist who specializes in neurodegenerative disorders and serves as the medical director of Cleveland Clinic Nevada in Las Vegas. “The worst situation to be in is one that’s unpredictable and in which you have no power,” he says.
For trustworthy information and helpful advice, check out the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Institute on Aging, and Mayo Clinic’s Dementia Hub.
2. Get Moving
3. Prioritize Sleep
“You should wake up feeling refreshed,” says Wint. If you’re not, check in with your primary care provider. They may suggest making an appointment with a sleep specialist, who can evaluate you for a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.
4. Join a Support Group
5. Try Cognitive Therapy
Also known as cognitive rehabilitation, this type of therapy can improve your attention, memory, and task planning, which, in turn, can boost your quality of life. “Just like you might go to a physical therapist if you had knee pain, a cognitive therapist can work on areas that are not functioning as well as you’d like them to — like your memory or thinking abilities,” says Wint.
Ask your provider if they can recommend someone who provides cognitive therapy. Often it’s given by a speech therapist, Wint notes.
6. Stay Social
Regularly spending time with friends, participating in an MCI support group, volunteering, or even picking up a new hobby that gets you out in your community aren’t just fun activities, but can also improve your brain health and daily life. “People who are engaged socially have better outcomes in terms of preservation of their quality of life, as well as their ability to perform tasks,” says Wint.
The Takeaway
- If you have mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease, there are ways to boost your quality of life and improve your mood.
- Make sure you’re physically active and get enough sleep.
- Take care of your mental and emotional health by empowering yourself with knowledge, joining a support group, talking to a therapist, and socializing with others.
