On top of sticking to a routine most of the time and using organizing tools, certain strategies for thinking and reflection can help you get through the day with confidence.
How you use labels and notes will depend on your personal needs, but many people find it helpful to put a checklist by the door that notes the things you want to take with you, like your wallet, phone, and keys.
Even if you do your best to plan and stay organized, you may encounter difficulties during daily tasks. For example, you may walk away from your shopping cart in the grocery store and forget where you left it, or you might forget where you parked.
When you have trouble with a task or forget something, it’s important to stay grounded and not give yourself too hard of a time, says Klein. “Where was your thinking directed or focused?” she asks, adding that it shouldn’t be, “I can’t believe this is happening again,” but instead should focus on solving the immediate problem.
Sometimes in her sessions with people with MCI, Klein says, “We introduce grounding techniques, something to bring their focus back to center.” This can be a phrase to tell yourself or a brief exercise that involves sensory or body awareness — whatever works for the person.
Dr. Callow emphasizes that feeling bad or stressing about forgetting things is not only unhelpful, it may actually be counterproductive and make your memory worse. “A less stressful, more organized life is likely going to be beneficial for mood and reduce anxiety in someone with MCI,” he says, adding that anxiety and depression are linked to further cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment.
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