Reply To: Week 4 – Discussion Board 1

Good mental retention is one of the key elements of a good medical interpreter. Taking care of your own mental health is just as important as the job you do. Some things that inhibit good mental retention is having a good night of sleep and eating a brain-boosting diet. To be able to retain good memory the brain must be rested, otherwise your critical thinking skills may be compromised. Good food fuels the mind in ways others cannot, giving the body proper nutrition fuels not only the body but the brain as well allowing you to expand your mental capacity. A good example of good food to fuel the brain is fish which is rich in omega-3. Omega-3 is known for being beneficial to brain health. Another great thing for your mental retention is exercise, because as you exercise the body, you are also exercising the brain and increasing the oxygen in your brain. To be able to retain memory, it is important to not only take care of your body but also your mental health. Being surrounded by good relationships provides you with a strong foundation to have a positive outlook on life. These well maintained relationships help your brain function and therefore better mental retention in the long run. Lastly, diminishing stress levels through meditation can improve not only mental capacity and skills such as learning and reasoning, but also your physical health.

Good mental retention is key to becoming a successful interpreter because there are so many terms and codes to be memorized and it would be crucial to all parties for the interpreter to not know and be prepared. Therefore, for an interpreter to be successful it is important to work on their memory retention of all the knowledge needed for the profession.