People do stupid stuff sometimes.
I notice it depends on your age how we look at it. When you’re young, folks chalk it up to “being young and dumb,” but when you’re Middle Age “You should know better.” And then when you’re my age, people just announce, “They’re having a Senior Moment.”
Although there can be some underlying causes like anxiety, dehydration and mild cognitive impairment, it is actually common for people to lose focus -- at any age. Some studies indicate that our brains conserve energy when we’re doing something repetitive. And, these little breaks can happen right before the memory lapse. And, according to scientists at Harvard Medical School executive function peaks along with other brain functions in your early 20s and then gradually diminishes over time.
It’s great to know that “declining focus” is normal, but Senior Moments can still be quite embarrassing. One time…
During the summer we invited some of our friends and neighbors to use our swimming pool whenever they wanted. Sometimes we were there; sometimes we weren’t. There was one beautiful day recently that I decided to skip a pool day to get a lot of errands done. I grabbed my purse, my grocery list, a package to mail and clothes to drop off at Goodwill. But when I looked out in the driveway, I saw someone had parked right behind my side of the garage. Honestly, I was a little put off. I went out to the pool area to ask them to move their car, but no one was there. So I ran inside to the front door to see if another salesman was trying to convince me to buy new windows and aluminum siding again. No one was there either???
I couldn’t figure it out. So I went out to the driveway to look at the car more closely. Gradually, I noticed the license plate. OMG it was MY car. I guess I never saw my car from the front before. Well, at least that’s MY story & I’m sticking to it. Ha!
Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist from Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, suggests a few strategies to improve concentration for any age:
1. Practice meditation
2. Turn off notifications
3. Learn a new skill
4. Reduce sugar & caffeine
Obviously, I need to sit & listen more, get away from my computer & phone, learn some new dance moves and quit drinking so much Pepsi. Well, we’ll see…
~
“Almost all my middle-aged and elderly acquaintances, including me, feel about 25 — unless we haven’t had our coffee, in which case we feel 107.” ~ Martha Beck
HAVE YOU EVER DONE SOMETHING “STUPID”?
Jan,
I loved your text, light and with humor when approaching such an important subject!
I've always boasted of having a great memory, in fact, I do. But, I'm distracted and any movement takes my focus. Also, I'm a master at forgetting where I parked my car lol I've called the police thinking it had been stolen, when in fact it was parked somewhere else...
P.s.: Sorry for grammatical errors, as you know I'm Brazilian, so English is not my first language
Hello Jan I guess I am the first to write a comment on your blog.Thank you again I love reading your blogs especially today it is about senior moments.Yesterday I went to Costco for gas .When I was at the pump I noticed I forgot to bring my purse.I was driving without a license .My walker was in my purse,my Costco card too,everything.I couldn’t do anything except to go back home.I was so mad with myself I waisted the time I waited in the line at Costco.I am getting old I said to myself.next time I need to write down the things I need to bring.
I am 79 years old I am having senior moments too