Ever pause mid-sentence because you forgot your point? What about losing your car keys? Ever forget people’s names or important appointments? If so, you’re not alone. As we age, and as our lives continue to get busier and busier, we forget things. Here are ten tips to give your memory a boost.

1. Put down that cookie! Avoid starchy carbs and high sugar foods. Studies have shown that refined sugars damage the memory centers of our brains. Stick to whole foods like fresh fruits and veggies and skip the white flour.

2. Eat foods rich in omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are great for our brain and most of our processed foods have been stripped of this natural fat because it affects shelf life. Salmon is a great food rich in omega fatty acids.

3. Make sure you get enough sleep. Truly, sleep has a profound effect on the quality of your life and your body’s ability to function, including memory function. Doctors and experts recommend 8-9 hours a night.

4. Get some yellow in your diet. Turmeric has been studied to work as an anti-inflammatory and helps your brain cells to eliminate toxins. (Studies have indicated it can reduce or alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s.) A teaspoon a day should do the trick.

5. Exercise your brain. Do puzzles, read, and focus when you’re performing a task – even a task as basic as coming home and setting down your keys. When you put your brain to work on a specific task, it has a better chance of remembering it.

6. Eat blueberries, and other fruits and vegetables. Blueberries have been shown to actually reverse age-related memory shortfalls.

7. Caffeinate with care. Studies have shown that caffeine in small doses, think a cup of tea, throughout the day are better for memory and focus than a Grande latte at the beginning of the day.

8. Exercise your body, too. Exercise gets your body moving and your blood flowing. Regular and moderate exercise is good for your heart, lungs and brain.

9. Positive thinking. The power of your brain is actually quite amazing. Studies have shown if you think your memory is improving, it actually will. Believe and you receive.

10. Supplement. Herbs like ginkgo, rosemary, and ginger are often recommended for boosting blood circulation and brain function.

Finally, many experts recommend relaxing. We all experience a few memory hiccups from time to time. Worrying about it can actually make it worse. Take some time to relax and have faith in your memory.