A common side effect of aging is a weakening memory. Is there any way to keep a strong mind when you are getting older? Read on to find a few ideas that can help you enhance your memory and make it as agile as it used to be.
Try writing things down to make it easier to remember. This creates blood flow to the brain areas responsible for memories, and exercises those memories. Students have been acing exams for years by taking notes, and you too can apply this technique to recall information. Just keep a diary, take thorough notes or even keep things cataloged in your PC’s Word program.
Mnemonic Devices
One of the most popular ways to commit information to your long-term memory is to utilize one of many different mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are a great way to recall something. You link some knowledge with a word or item that’s common, then you have a road map to that memory.
Pay close attention to help sharpen your memory. While you might think you already are paying attention, your mind may not absorb the information enough due to wandering. Forget about your problems and stay focused on the information presented. Think hard about your subject and burn the information into your memory.
Stop focusing on the negatives and your memory will become faster and clearer. People who suffer from depression are stressed out or have a negative outlook on life don’t remember things as well as people who are basically happy. Consult a professional for stress relief advice.
Think of your brain as a muscle. To keep it in good shape, you need to exercise it. Research has shown that puzzles can help to prevent senility.
Memory Games
Memory games are a good way to keep your memory sharp. Some of the memory games available are a lot of fun to play, and they will enhance your memory skills no end. In addition to enhancing your memory, these games will also help increase your ability to concentrate and extend your attention span. There are a lot of games you can find and play online.
If you have trouble memorizing information, try making a mental picture of things you want to commit to memory. If you are using a textbook to study, a good way to visualize information is to use photos and charts. You could draw your own graphs and charts to assist with your memory, too.
Take time for relating the information you want to memorize to information you already retain. Synthesizing these related thoughts together will greatly increase your ability to file new bits of information into your memory. Memory thrives on this process of relating a new bit of knowledge to one already secured.
One especially scary aspect of aging is loss of memory. One of the best things that can be done to aid in memory loss prevention, especially in demented patients, is prescription medication.
Don’t try to cram tons on information into your brain. If you have to commit something to memory, break the information into short, manageable sections, and schedule brief study periods for yourself each day. It will never be advantageous to learn information quickly and in one go. Your mind will be overwhelmed, and you will not remember the information for very long. Create regular study sessions to get your brain into the habit of remembering.
You should always be learning, even if you’re well out of school. If you do not allow yourself to pick up new skills and knowledge, you are neglecting the area of your brain that is linked with memory. When you do need to remember things, it is going to be harder.
Term Memory
To aid your memory, try connecting the new information you are trying to remember with knowledge you already possess. The information your short term memory processes is more likely to transfer into a long term memory if you associate it with something you are familiar with.
Meditation is a great way to enhance the function of your memory and improve the elasticity of your brain; it can also provide you with stress relief and better health. To meditate, find a calm, comfortable spot, and try to focus all of your thoughts on your breath going in and out. Thirty minutes a day of meditation will help preserve your memory.
You will be less likely to develop a condition that causes memory loss if you have solid and healthy relationships with the people around you. Research shows that spending time and communicating with friends and loved ones is good for the area of the brain responsible for memory.
You might be frustrated about forgetting things, but you can get over this. If you follow the tips in this article faithfully, your memory will improve dramatically. With just a little effort, you may find that your memory is better than it ever was before.
