It’s not always as easy as pressing a button and accessing a certain memory. Some things we learn, we forget. Read on for useful strategies to improve your memory.
One thing that has been proven to help maintain your memory and brain function over time, is socialization. Having a strong social group and lots of interaction and conversation with family and friends will help to keep your memory flowing freely both now and as you age too.
It’s a well known fact that stress is hard on a person’s body, but it is also very hard on a person’s memory. Chronic stress is detrimental to brain cells as it destroys them as well as the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that retrieves old memories as well as makes new ones. Practicing stress reducing techniques are vital in maintaining a good memory.
In order to maintain a good memory, Omega-3’s are an essential part of your diet. There are several sources of Omega-3 including fish, walnuts, flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and soybeans. If any of those foods don’t appeal to you, it’s also acceptable to take fish oil supplements in order to keep your memory fully functioning.
When learning a new concept, teaching someone else the concept has been proven to be an effective way to improve your memory. The reason for this is that when you teach someone else the concept, you must first have an understanding of it and then be able to phrase it yourself. It is significantly more effective than simply trying to remember a concept word for word.
A useful strategy when tasked with the memory of new information is to restructure and reorganize the information. The simplest way to do this is to take the information and create a summary outline in a notebook or on your computer. This works for two reasons. It is easier to remember something that you have worked with, and the process also naturally reorders the information in a way that is easier for you to remember.
Improve your memory by getting more organized. Sometimes a poor memory is simply a side effect of having too much on your plate and poor organization skills. Try using a day planner to keep track of your schedule. Make to-do lists outlining the tasks that you want to accomplish for the day. Finally, clear up clutter around your house and your work area. When everything is nicely organized and in its proper place, you may find that your memory problems disappear.
A healthy exercise routine can help you stay on top of your memory. When the blood and oxygen flow of your brain is increased, your brain will be more healthy. Memory occurs in the brain, and keeping your body healthy keeps your brain healthy, so keeping your body healthy will help your memory. Exercise will also help to prevent debilitating diseases, like diabetes, that can negatively impact memory.
Don’t skip on the sleep if you want to improve your memory. It is when we sleep that our brains really go to work. During deep sleep our brains are incredibly active in processing information and trying to understand problems. Skimping on your sleep will start having an almost immediate effect on your memory.
Sleep is an essential component of maintaining good memory and memorization skills. The reason for this is while you are sleeping, something known as memory consolidation occurs. Memory consolidation is the process by which acquired information is imprinted into the brain through the creation of neural links. This process affects not only the information that you have recently learned but also helps to maintain information that you acquired a long time ago.
It is crucial that you eat breakfast if you are trying to improve your memory. Many doctors and health professionals have found that eating breakfast fuels the mind after not having eaten for many hours because of sleep. Even if it is a bowl of fruit, be sure to never skip breakfast.
To better commit names to memory, repeat a person’s name after an introduction, and try to come up with something about the person that might help you remember his or her name. If you meet a Bob who mentions that he enjoys fishing, you might associate his name with a bobber like those used on a fishing line, for instance.
Make your memorization easier by using mnemonic devices. The easiest one is to associate a visual image with the word or name you need to remember. Life like, vivid images linked to hard to memorize or understand concepts can help to speed up the learning process significantly. Think of images from your everyday life to make the process easier and faster.
Avoid cramming. Work in regular study sessions that you have set out on a schedule. Having a set time to study will help your brain remember the facts you present to it. Cramming simply presents your brain with too much information to remember at any one time, and so you will forget much of it.
Use planners and calendars. Purchase a day planner and write down anything important. Have a disciplined schedule written down and refer to it often. When you write things down, it helps your mind remember them. This is a good way to make living with memory loss easier on a daily basis.
Add aromatherapy to your life if you want to improve your memory. This works because these aromas help to relax you, which in turn, helps your memory improve. Also, if you are not sensitive to the smells, you may want to try adding candles throughout your home as they will relax you too.
Challenge your memory. Push yourself to remember little details. There are many games online and on video game consoles that are specifically designed to challenge your memory. Play them regularly. Get your brain in the habit of remembering things. Your memory is like a muscle. You need to exercise it.
In short, it’s important to realize that there are many easy steps you can take to prevent memory loss. You can improve your memory by carefully following the steps we have presented.