Anyone that has ever lost their keys, forgot what they were supposed to get at the grocery store or arrived at the wrong time for a doctor appointment knows that memory can be tricky. You may always be able to recite all 50 American states, what year your children or siblings were born and what you had for dinner last night, but can you remember how many cars you passed on your drive home? Or how many emails you’ve read in the past week? In this article, we’ll give you a few strategies to improve your memory and help you do just that.
If you want to have a better long-term memory, then you need to get in the practice of regular stretching and other exercise. These exercises keep the brain’s arteries open, and this is important because the brain is responsible for 15 percent of your body’s blood flow. Stretching also increases energy, flexibility and relaxation, which all help towards improved long-term memory as well.
A great way for you to improve your overall memory is to make sure that you’re always focusing your attentions on whatever you’re studying at the time. The goal here is knowledge retention. A failure to focus fully on the subject at hand means the information may not be retained properly.
Like an actor does before putting on a play, rehearsing what you learn is a great way to improve your memory. If you are attempting to study, recite the problems and answers aloud, and you will absorb the information easier, and ultimately, retain it more efficiently. This is a great way to improve your overall memory.
Believing you have a poor memory is a self-fulfilling prophecy! If you are constantly telling yourself and other people that you have a bad memory, then that is exactly what you will have! As with anything, keeping a positive attitude will improve the situation so stop reminding yourself that you are forgetful and as your outlook improves, so will your memory!
Mnemonic devices can be a great way to help you memorize information. Mnemonics are simply a way to remember facts by associating them with some familiar image or word. For example, each element of a list could be associated with a flower that starts with the same letter, or you could turn the list into a memorable rhyme.
The best way to keep your memory sharp is to make sure that you stay mentally active. Physical exercise keeps your body in shape, and mental exercise keeps your mind in shape. Doing crossword puzzles, reading complicated passages, playing board games, or learning a musical instrument can all help you keep your mental edge.
Get books on memory from a library to learn about this complex mechanism. Many psychiatrists have written books that help people improve memory. You might not need anything more than these books to help.
When learning new information, try forming a visual image of it in your mind. When your brain is forced to come up with a picture to go along with the information, it has to analyze it more carefully that it otherwise would have. This attention to detail can help cement it in your mind. Not only that, but you can use the mental image that you formed to help you recall the information at a later date.
A great tip that can help you improve your memory is to make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night. Studies have shown that people who are sleep deprived tend to be very sluggish. All of their cognitive functions, including their memory, are compromised. Getting enough sleep is very important.
You should try to socialize and have fun. Although it sounds strange, socializing with friends is a great workout for your brain. Laughing is also vital for brain health, as it uses many parts of your brain. It can also help you to think in broader terms and keep it active.
A good tip that can help you improve your memory is to participate in activities that can challenge you mentally. When it comes to memory, if you don’t use it, you lose it. Pick an activity you’re not familiar with so that it’s a good challenge for you.
When you’re having trouble remembering something, like when you’ve been studying for too long and can’t focus on the information anymore, try getting outside and taking a walk or jog. This will help you clear your head and get more oxygen pumping to your brain, thus letting your brain work at a higher capacity.
Now that you have these strategies, try using them every day and see how your memory improves. Chances are you’ll still remember all 50 states and you won’t know the exact number of cars that you passed on your drive home but can you remember what you had for dinner now?
