When you have a poor memory, you may feel quite disorganized and possibly out of control. Luckily, there is hope if you are suffering from memory loss. There are a number of techniques you can use to strengthen your memory. This article provides several effective ideas that you might find beneficial.
Mnemonic Devices
If you want to remember information for long periods of time, develop some association strategies, or mnemonic devices, to help you. Shorthand writing is to writers the way mnemonic devices are to memory. You associate a piece of knowledge with a common word or item and thus you have correlated a roadmap to grab that piece of memory.
There is a ton of information you should learn and keep in mind, and it will help you study at a lot of different places. This stops your brain from associating the information with one place and instead encourages more general recall. That means studying in different places to help it go into long-term memory.
If you have a hard time remembering to do things, do not be ashamed to write sticky notes. Put them in places that you know you will frequently look at, such as next to your computer or cell phone. Placing sticky notes on things will help you make sure you don’t forget things that are extremely important.
Quality sleep is very important. Getting enough sleep at night can greatly impact your long and short-term memory. It’s harder for your mind to remember things when it’s tired. You could try getting more sleep during the night to improve your memory.
When studying, be sure to alter your study environment from time-to-time. This does two things. First, it refreshes your mind with new surroundings. Second, it increases the effectiveness of your long-term memory. Your brain tends to wake up as it detects changes in your routine, and once this happens, your brain could take a lot more information.
When you learn something new, link that information with something you already know. This is how the brain recalls information. When it can draw a link to something familiar, new information is easily retained for longer periods. If you relate information, it will help you remember things in a more timely fashion.
Teaching other people is a fantastic way for improving your memory. For instance, if you have trouble remembering certain events or stories, relate them to someone else. This will help to commit the details to your mind, making it harder to forget.
Term Memory
Associate things you want to learn with things you already know in order to facilitate memory. 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 can improve memory function and brain elasticity, while improving your health and relieving stress. To meditate, find a calm, comfortable spot, and try to focus all of your thoughts on your breath going in and out. Aim for approximately 30 minutes per day to assist your brain in staying fit.
Keep your mind sharp by taking fish oil supplements each day. It is well-known that the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids that fish oil contains are effective at enhancing memory. However, it is important to get the dosage right, so make sure you speak with your doctor before consuming this supplement.
The best way to make your memory sharper while studying is to come up with a regular schedule and spread the material out over several different sessions. You need some time to process the information and retain it. Studies have shown that individuals who use this method are able to recall study information better than those who tried to cram the information in all at once.
Having memory problems can leave you feeling frustrated, and can be extremely discouraging. If you look for ways to use these tips, you will find that it is easier to retain and recall memories at a moment’s notice. You should see an improvement if you are patient with these methods. The thing you should keep in mind is having a positive outlook, and make sure you work hard.
