It's kind of ironic that this topic came up, because lately I have wondered if I'm in the beginning stages of dementia.  I'm in my late 40's, but my memory seems to be slipping more lately.  I don't try to multitask too much because I just have a really hard time with it.  Lists are my life now and have been for awhile.  I can think of something and not a minute later it can be gone.  I was fortunate enough to have been able to retire early and it's probably a good thing!  I like to stay in somewhat of a routine.  It makes me feel safer somehow.  I try to read and do other things that will challenge my brain.  What are some other tricks that you do to help?

Andrea 

I feel safer in a routine, too, but I get bored, then have to find ways around it. That's a bad combination! LOL I find myself withdrawing physically, too, not driving in unfamiliar areas or not taking the opportunity to drive out of town when I would have otherwise. 

They say that learning new things helps keep the brain conditioned. Learning is harder than before for me, but it feels good to stretch my brain.

andreac:

I was fortunate enough to have been able to retire early and it's probably a good thing! 

I retired early too and have to wonder if the lack of outside stimulation or contact has played a part. Like my brain has gone to mush.

andreac:

What are some other tricks that you do to help?

This New Years, I started keeping a journal, done in the evening about the days activities. Nothing elaborate, just 5 or 6 lines about what we did, where we went, what we ate etc. If I forget and skip a day, it takes me awhile to recall and always have to ask DH. I also do cross stitch. Being on the internet can be a blessing and a curse. Sometimes what I read can fire me up. Thanks to this forum, I create "frugal projects" like learning how to dehydrate and pressure can food or build up a stash of supplies. However once thats done, I'm back to boredom. Oh and we did get Direct TV so for the first time I can catch up on all those History Channel, Animal Planet, Forensic/crime solving shows. Its sort of a passive learning method. Been watching HGTV (home decorating) and that has given some inspiration to change things around a bit. Those are my only tricks.

andreac:

I like to stay in somewhat of a routine.  It makes me feel safer somehow.

I'm in that same boat like you and Pat. Definitely not as adventurous as I used to be. I may have to go out to Calif in April. Traveled out there at least 20 times and this year I just dread the thought of disrupting my routine, facing traffic and being away from home.

I can remeber but multitasking I am luck to remember todays date...

lucky  to remember todays date sorry screwed up here

I try very hard not to multi-task, but....  LOL  I read about how multi-tasking is actually not all that great for your brain, so if I can avoid it, I do.  That said, my brain is wired differently and so it automatically jumps around on its own.  This means I'm normally jumping from one task to another OR I'm hyper-focused on one thing and become a bear when interrupted!  A few years ago I was really struggling with memory (my early 20s no less).  I would stand up so that I could walk from my office to the copier to pick up a print job and as soon as I stood up I couldn't remember what I was doing.  It would take me hours sometimes to remember what the heck I was supposed to be doing.  I actually spoke to my doctor about it and he sent me for testing with a psychologist.  The psychologist helped me learn ways to manage my ADD without medication.  For example, now in the mornings I open my email at work, answer what needs my immediate attention and then close the program for a couple hours.  I also keep a pretty tight morning routine and after work routine for my personal life.  I finally found a planner that works for me -- undated, with each day getting a full sheet of paper, and cheap ($6 covers about 3 to 4 months of time).  When people stop me to tell me something or ask me to do something in passing, I say to them, "Not a problem.  Could you email that to me though so I don't forget?"  Most people are accomodating b/c that's extra help for them if I get the task done.

 There is also alot of mental stress hanging over everyone with the uncertainty of what our futures will be.You may think you aren't concerned about it but it is still there in the back of your mind, all the economy doubts.  Even if financially you are well off, there is still the uncertainty of what will happen to our country, and the rest of the world, and how the economy affects all of that.  There are some authority types who are saying that we aren't safe because of the anger that is growing from other countries, that the U.S. caused this financial mess for everyone, and those thoughts pose a threat. Is it true?  I don't know, but it sure sounds possible. Those thoughts can be nagging in the back of your mind, and that can lead to fatique and confusion as well.  Edey

Yes, planting the seeds of paranoia can easily turn into a forest of fear.

When most people refer to multitasking they mean simultaneously performing two or more things that require mental effort and attention.

When we speak of multitasking, what we really mean is that we are switchtasking: switching rapidly between one task and another. Yet, each time we switch, no matter how quickly that switch takes place in our mind, there is a cost associated with it. It's an economic term called switching cost—and the switching cost is high.

when you multitask you simply lose efficiency. But if you switchtask on a human being, you additionally damage a relationship.

 Visit my Multitasking blog and learn how to get organize and be much more focus.

Still multi task at work and home, but I must have a list for everything.