In many ways, our memories shape who we are.
从很多方面来说，我们的记忆塑造了我们。
They make up our internal biographies — the stories we tell ourselves about what we've done with our lives. They tell us who we're connected to, who we've touched during our lives, and who has touched us.
记忆构成了我们内心的传记——我们告诉自己，我们在生活中做了什么的故事。它们告诉我们，我们与谁有联系，我们在生活中接触过谁，以及谁曾经接触过我们。
In short, our memories are crucial to the essence of who we are as human beings.
简而言之，我们的记忆对于我们是谁这一人类的本质是至关重要的。
That means age-related memory loss can represent a loss of self. It also affects the practical side of life, like getting around the neighborhood or remembering how to contact a loved one. It's not surprising, then, that concerns about declining thinking and memory skills rank among the top fears people have as they age.
这意味着与年龄有关的记忆衰退可能意味着自我的丧失。它也会影响到生活的实际方面，比如在周围走动或者记住如何与爱的人联系。因此，随着人们逐渐老去，人们对思维和记忆能力下降的担忧成为最大的恐惧，这也就不足为奇了。
What causes some people to lose their memory while others stay sharp as a tack?
是什么导致一些人丧失记忆，而另一些人依然保持敏锐呢？
Genes play a role, but so do choices. Proven ways to protect memory include following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, not smoking, and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check.
基因是其原因之一，但是选择也是原因之一。已被证实的保护记忆的方法包括：遵循健康的饮食习惯，经常锻炼，不吸烟，控制血压，胆固醇和血糖。
Living a mentally active life is important, too. Just as muscles grow stronger with use, mental exercise helps keep mental skills and memory in tone.
思维活跃的生活也很重要。正如肌肉会随着使用而变得更加强壮一样，智力锻炼有助于保持智力技能和记忆的协调。
Are certain kinds of "brain work" more effective than others?
任一类型的“脑力锻炼”是否比其他的形式更有效呢？
Any brain exercise is better than being a mental couch potato.
任何的大脑锻炼都比成为一个大脑一动不动的人要好。
But the activities with the most impact are those that require you to work beyond what is easy and comfortable.
但是影响最大的活动是那些需要你去做超出简单和舒适工作的活动。
Playing endless rounds of solitaire and watching the latest documentary marathon on the History Channel may not be enough. Learning a new language, volunteering, and other activities that strain your brain are better bets.
玩无休止的纸牌游戏，在历史频道上看最新的纪录片可能还不够。学习一门新的语言，参加志愿者活动，以及其他让你的大脑紧张起来的活动都是更好的选择。
