Tomorrow is national memory day - so what better way to celebrate then to take a look at memory and how we can keep sharp into later life. Memory is not just about recalling past events there are 3 functions of memory:

• Acquiring information eg listening and writing down

• Retaining information eg learning something by re-reading and committing to memory

• Retrieving information eg telling a story at a later date or taking a test

Memory begins before we are born. As we grow in the womb we hear our mother's voice and it helps the bonding process at birth. We are relying on memory to navigate life whether we are travelling, cooking or going for a walk. There are different types of memory:

• Memory from the senses - remembering a smell or the feel of a texture from a past experience, the smell of the sea or the feel of your favourite chair

• Short-term memory - recalling things for a few minutes such as the number of your table in your local cafe when you place an order

• Working memory - your immediate memory to get through day to day tasks

• Long term memory - the ability to recall things from your past, Active impact fitness

Unfortunately memory loss is an issue for some especially as we age and should be given attention to in our day to day life. The brain is an organ and like all other organs relies on a good oxygen supply. Keeping the brain healthy demands that we keep the circulation optimum and so exercise is vital. It is not just exercise though, sleep, stress, poor diet, medications and mental illness can all play a part

A recent study from the University College London reported that even small doses of exercise started at any point in adult life had a positive effect on cognition. They studied almost 1500 volunteers over the course of 3 decades. The group that exercised 5 times a month or more had the greatest effect but those who exercised from one to 4 times per month still had good gains. Those who were life long exercises fared the best but those who took up even light exercise in later life had a positive influence on brain function. If you would like to read more about the study and it's findings please see the link :

There is no time like the present, celebrate national memory day by getting some exercise and your brain will thank you for it . If you would like to take a quiz to see if your behaviours are having a positive impact on your brain or how you can improve give it a whirl

Monday's exercises focus on low back mobility with gentle stretches and movements

For many golf is almost addictive. It has soooooo many positive active impact fitness that I can't believe we haven't featured it until now. Golf is an outside sport so gets you taking in the fresh air and that in itself is a stress reliever. It gets you away from the outstanding chores and ensures you have time dedicated to activity. It is a social sport and is often a way that couples spend quality time together while enjoying the fresh air and exercise . It can be a way to meet new people or forge links with a regular group. You can play for fun or you can enter competitions if the thrill of a challenge is more your thing. Golfers who complete 18 holes walk an average of

Fun golf facts!

• Completing 18 holes burns an average of 2000 calories and a 5 mile walk

• Can be a form of meditation or at least a way to clear the mind

• Helps with balance

• Uses many muscles, the legs for walking but the torso and the core for swinging through to hit the ball

• Golf buggies might be frowned on by some but it does allow the less mobile to continue playing a sport they love. You can still manage approximately one mile of walking during a 9 hole round

• Breaking down the golf swing you need a good solid core to hold the pelvis steady as you twist your torso at high velocity - my friends, good mobility of the middle back is a must. We focus on middle back movements in our daily exercises above so if you want to keep yourself on par, keep that middle back mobile and strong.

Jill Thornhill has played golf for more than 60 years. She won the Womens Amateur Championship in 1983 and Women's Amateur in 1986. She has played mostly at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey and will now serve as president of the golf club as it hosts the AIG women's open for the first time.

Are you active and would like to feature here? We would love to hear from you! Get in touch, preferably with a picture so we can celebrate and promote you living your best life. Just reply to this newsletter