Sherrie All - The neuroscience of memory : seven skills to optimize your brain power, improve memory, and stay sharp at any age

I enjoyed reading The Neuroscience of Memory because of the unique approach Sherrie All brings to the subject. She presents the elements of emotional intelligence with clarity and sound methodology that resonates with the work we do at the Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential. These down-to-earth, science-based tools provide so much more than the title impliesthey are foundational to robust mental health and success in all aspects of life, from relationship to career.

Robert J. Wright, EdD , award-winning, best-selling coauthor of The Heart of the Fight and Transformed!

Sooner or later, we all start worrying about our memories as we get older. In this book, Sherrie All provides an invaluable resource to help us assess our memories and maximize our potential. While she highlights relevant scientific findings, she also strikes a friendly and reassuring tone. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to make the best use of their brain in middle age or above!

Jan Willer, PhD , author of The Beginning Psychotherapists Companion and Could It Be Adult ADHD?

As a professional who is passionate about delivering integrative content in life-changing, practical skills, Im excited about Sherrie Alls workbook, The Neuroscience of Memory . Much more than sound, evidence-based professional advice, Alls warm, compassionate voice accompanies you like a caring and wise friend as you come to understand your brain and improve your memory through accessible exercises. Her helpful tools are delivered with straight talk, sensitivity, and encouragement.

Judith Wright, EdD , cofounder and president of the Wright Graduate University for the Realization of Human Potential; and award-winning, best-selling coauthor of The Heart of the Fight and Transformed!

In this incredibly helpful book, Sherrie All makes neuroscience simple by explaining brain health in a way that is clear and understandable. With humor, compassion, and tremendous expertise, shell help you move from feeling afraid and helpless about your memory and cognitive functioning to hopeful and empowered. Her tools and tips are user-friendly and effective. We are living through a global stress epidemic and could all benefit from this book.

Joyce Marter, LCPC , licensed psychotherapist, founder of Urban Balance, national public speaker, and author of The Financial Mindset Fix

Sherrie All has drawn upon her extensive knowledge of neuroscience and decades of clinical experience to create a uniquely holistic and practical workbook that explains why cognition fails, how to strengthen cognition while managing the emotional reaction to cognitive decline, and, perhaps most important, how to prevent future cognitive failure. For many people, this book will be an essential guide to preserving cognitive ability across the lifespan.

Anthony Y. Stringer, PhD, ABPP/CN , professor and director of rehabilitation neuropsychology at Emory University

Sherrie All makes neuroscience accessible and entertaining, and her workbook is packed with strategies for improving brain function. This is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to take charge of their memory and brain health.

Sara Dittoe Barrett, PhD , licensed clinical psychologist, owner and director of Cognitive Behavioral Associates of Chicago, and author of The 4-Week Insomnia Workbook

Based on her long clinical experience and with a deep foundation in neuroscience, Sherrie All has ably developed an achievable, practical program empowering every aging individual determined to maintain and strengthen their most valuable possessionthe brain. If you want to buttress your ability to make and keep cherished memories, this book is for you.

Paul E. Bendheim, MD , clinical professor of neurology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, founder and chief medical officer at BrainSavers, and author of The Brain Training Revolution

You can improve how your brain works, and you can do things now to keep it working well in the future. That is the powerful message in this new book by Sherrie All. The user-friendly program described in this book gives you the power to make the right neuroscience-informed lifestyle adjustments to think better, feel better, and live better. Start now. Be here later. Enjoy and remember the journey more.

Steven M. Silverstein , professor of psychiatry, neuroscience, and ophthalmology at the University of Rochester Medical Center; and director of the Center for Retina and Brain

Publishers Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

In consideration of evolving American English usage standards, and reflecting a commitment to equity for all genders, they/them is used in this book to denote singular persons.

Copyright 2021 by Sherrie D. All

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

5674 Shattuck Avenue

Oakland, CA 94609

www.newharbinger.com

NEW HARBINGER PUBLICATIONS is a registered trademark of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Selected material from the EON-MEM copyright 2007 by Western Psychological Services. Reprinted by New Harbinger Publications by permission of WPS. Not to be reprinted in whole or in part for any additional purpose without the expressed, written permission of the publisher (rights@wpspublish.com). All rights reserved.

Known the 10 Signs: Early Detection Matters 2009, The Alzheimers Association. Used by permission.

Recall Strategies, Chunking Exercise, and Cant Miss Reminders CogSMART. Used by permission.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Cover design by Amy Shoup; Illustrations by Sherrie and Michael All; Acquired by Jennye Garibaldi; Edited by Gretel Hakanson

All Rights Reserved

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: All, Sherrie, author. | Bendheim, Paul E., author.

Title: The neuroscience of memory : seven skills to optimize your brain power, improve memory, and stay sharp at any age / Sherrie All, Paul Bendheim.

Description: Oakland : New Harbinger Publications, 2021. | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020056043 | ISBN 9781684037438 (trade paperback)

Subjects: LCSH: Mental efficiency--Popular works. | Brain--Aging--Prevention--Popular works. | Self-help techniques--Popular works.

Classification: LCC BF431 .A553 2021 | DDC 153.9--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020056043

To Ella, Lily, Charlie, and Alex. May you never be afraid to be badass women scientists or whatever you want to be.

Contents

Foreword

Of all the things Ive lost, I miss my mind the most. Mark Twain

You will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory. Dr. Seuss

We have just reached a unique juncture in the US, where for the first time, the number of people over the age of sixty-five has surpassed the number under the age of five. As our population ages, the fear of losing ones mindlosing ones memoryhas become a leading health concern. Survey after survey documents this concern, and it is valid. We are currently in the initial phase of an epidemic of Alzheimers disease, the leading cause of progressive dementia.

Every day ten thousand baby boomers turn sixty-five years old. Advancing age and unhealthy lifestyle practices are the two major risk factors for Alzheimers disease. There were about six million people living with Alzheimers disease in 2021, which will increase to fifteen million in the next thirty yearsif we dont implement strategies to change this trajectory.