TOTAL RECALL

Activities that work your memory—a crossword puzzle, playing bridge—won’t hurt, but there’s no good proof they help with memory skills needed most in daily life.

THE TECH CONNECTION

To-do lists, appointment books, tying strings around your fingers: These are all little ways to jog your memory, aka retrieval cues. Now those tools are in one place on your smartphone. Here’s how to make the most of your phone.

NOTES The note itself serves as a reminder, but pausing long enough to enter it also catalogs it into your brain, Dr. Weaver says. You might not even need to pull up the note later! PHOTOS Need to remember the address of your doctor’s office or the perfect gift for your husband you spied in a store? Snap a pic!

REMINDERS

The sound of an alarm jolts you into remembering what you need to do at that exact moment, but silent reminders that show up on your screen do the job, too.

—CHARLES A. WEAVER III, PH.D.

mind tricks

Jotting down information is a great way to help your brain store it, but creating a quirky visual in your mind can be even more powerful. “Coming up with unique images associated with facts activates both the left and right hemispheres of your brain,” says Luis Angel Echeverria, a memory coach and author of How to Remember Names and Faces. “As a result, you focus more on exactly what items you need to buy interacting with your surroundings. So if you’re sitting in your offi ce and need to buy milk, pasta, and laundry detergent, imagine milk and pasta spilling all over your laptop, and you trying to clean it up with laundry detergent. That odd story will make sure you pick up everything on your list. Q YOUR PARKING SPOT Most big lots have location

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for clothes.

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live well, age well

In her new book, Cameron Diaz explores the science and psychology of aging and empowers us all to embrace it.

QWhat is aging,

really? That’s the question Cameron Diaz asked herself one day while walking across her backyard after working out. “I was feeling strong, but also thinking, What can I do to feel this way as long as possible?” Cameron says. So she set out to do a deep dive into the changes our bodies go through, interviewing top medical experts about how we can age better—not turn back the clock. “The beauty is that aging well is all about living well,” Cameron says. Here’s a glimpse into how she incorporates what she learned.

GRATITUDE IS THE ONLY ATTITUDE.

—CAMERON DIAZ

QStay active.

”It’s not just about going to the gym. Your body requires movement throughout the day. Sometimes I feel as if I spend most of my day sitting in my ca r, so I make sure that I do all the little things that help me move more: I’ll park my car a little farther away. I stand when I’m at my computer. I’ll take a walk after dinner. I keep myself moving around the house a lot doing chores. I also try to exercise fi rst thing in the morning; it helps me better handle the day. I always try to do something, even if it’s just putting on my headphones and dancing like crazy for eight minutes.” QEat well. ”I start my day by drinking a liter of water, and I pay a lot of attention to what I eat throughout the day. I always have healthy choices on hand in my house: lots of whole grains, greens, and lean protein. I love sauerkraut; it has all those probiotics that help

ALWAYS IN MY KITCHEN

Good nutrition is crucial to a healthy life.

AVO C A D O It’s all healthy fat, which makes any snack or meal more satisfying.

G RAI N S Couscous and quinoa are two of my favorites.

you stay healthy. I’m really into this midmorning snack I make: sauerkraut, a few slices of avocado, and feta cheese crumbled on top.” QHave the right mind-set.

”Gratitude is a big word for me. I’m grateful that I get to grow older. My body is changing, but it can still do great things. I’m continually evolving and growing. We have to fl ip the script in our minds. We often say to ourselves: I’m not skinny enough. But are you healthy? Can you walk up stairs? It’s those little changes in our mind that help reframe our perspectives.” Q

The Longevity Book: The Science of Aging, the Biology of Strength, and the Privilege of Time by Cameron Diaz and Sandra Bark, Harper Wave, $27.99

G REE N S I wash my veggies right when I get home so they’re ready to eat.

P ROTEI N I always have cooked chicken ready to toss into salads, and eggs available for a meal or snack.

back to school IT’S GO TIME

The school year craziness is here! Our stay-healthyand-sane cheat sheet will help you and the kids ace the basics.

THE RI G HT G EAR BACKPACK ME UP

Pack and carry smart, and your back, shoulders, and neck will thank you.

SI Z E IT UP The height of a bag should extend from about 2 inches below the top of your shoulder blades to your waist. Skip the supersize version—you’ll likely overload it.

STRA P HA PPY Go with padded straps and tighten them so the bag doesn’t sag. This will help you stand upright without straining your neck, shoulders, or back, says Martin Lanoff , M.D., a physiatrist in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

PU T IT O N RI G HT Place the backpack on a table or counter, then put it on your back, (don’t lift it from the fl oor). You’ll avoid the twisting that can strain your spine.

U SE THOSE P O C KETS They help you distribute the weight more evenly. Keep the heaviest items close to the center of the pack and lighter things in the front and side pockets.

RI G HT PAC K STREET B AC K PAC K Padded shoulder straps and plenty of compartments, including an internal laptop sleeve. $70; jansport.com

TOTE IT EASY

If a backpack’s not your bag of choice, follow these rules. 1

Carry it close.

Choose a bag with adjustable straps, and keep them as short as comfortably possible. The further the bag swings away from your center, the more stress it puts on your spine. 2

Switch off.

Don’t always carry the bag on the same side; this stresses your upper back muscles. 3

Split the load.

Over time, carrying more than 5 pounds for more than 15 minutes on one side can cause shoulder pain, numbness, and tingling in your arm. Consider dividing items between two bags. —Alyssa Shaff er

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LEAD THE PACK

1. TEAR D RO P B AC K PAC K Lap top sleeve, panel for pens, and separate bottom compartment. $49.95; llbean.com 2. FASHIO N B AC K PAC K Exterior and interior pockets plus sueded side panels. $19.99; target.com 3. C AM PU S FLA P- OV ER B AC K PAC K Water-resistant exterior with a drawcord under the rain fl ap. $34.99; landsend.com