Our memory greatly effects the relationships that we have throughout our lives. If you put in some effort, you can make your memory sharp. Use the following memory tips to improve your brain’s overall ability to easily retrieve information from its recesses.
Taking as little as a 5 to 15 minute break when studying or working at your desk allows your mind to refresh itself and will benefit your memory. This will get your brain in the right state to more readily absorb new information.
Mnemonic Devices
Developing mnemonic devices in order to improve your memory is a great way to retain information for longer durations. Good mnemonic devices work in much the same way that shorthand works for stenographers. By associating a bit of information with a word or item, you can make the correlation that helps you recall it at a later time.
Avoid unpleasant or negative thoughts to increase your memory. Many studies show that extra stress on your mind and body can lead to short-term memory loss and forgetfulness. Ask your doctor about ways to get rid of stress.
When studying, you can improve memory retention simply by moving to different surroundings while you continue to study. This practice will help keep your mind alert, and assist in committing the information you are studying to your long-term memory. When it senses a change in surroundings, the mind re-awakens, and once it’s awake it gains the ability to absorb more information.
Stay socially active to keep your memory healthy. Your spirits will say up and alert. When you are lonely or depressed, your mind does not receive stimulation, and the brain cells do not get their exercise. Exciting and interesting conversations with friends and family helps stimulate and exercise your brain, which then helps you improve your memory.
If you’re trying to remember something, associate it with a funny image, song or phrase. If you use a little humor, the information will entertain you more, and it’ll be much simpler for you to remember it later on.
Get books on memory from a library to learn about this complex mechanism. You can find books written by experts on memory; these books should be able to provide you with new techniques for your own use.
One herbal remedy thought to be effective for memory loss is ginseng. The ingredients in ginseng have shown to help your brain retain information better. Not only that, it is also great for maintaining your overall health. In addition to ginger, green tea is widely hailed as having positive applications in improving memory.
Improved memory is just one of the many benefits of regular exercise. Just a small amount of exercise every day can be beneficial.
Your memory, and your brain, work best when you are receiving proper nutrition. Healthy fats contribute gains to the health of the brain. Try focusing on eating walnuts, olive oil, and flaxseed oil instead of trans fats.
Classical Music
An excellent method of improving your memory is to listen to some classical music. Classical music can be soothing and relaxing to the mind, and can also help with memory improvement. You can do this while you bathe in a warm bath, or in your bedroom before you’re going to bed.
To reduce the risk of developing conditions that cause loss of memory, stay connected to people by forming and maintaining strong relationships. Studies have shown spending time with friends and family will help to keep your brain active.
One strategy for improving your memory for names is to quickly draw a mental association between your new acquaintance and someone you already know who has the same name. If necessary, think of a celebrity or high profile person with the same name. Creating this connection between a familiar face and a new one will help you to more readily bring their name to mind.
Focus all your attention on the topic in front of you when you are memorizing information. The focus is required in order to transfer new bits of knowledge from the short-term part of the brain’s memory into the long-term storage tanks. However, if you’re distracted, it’s unlikely that the information you’re trying to commit to memory will move to that part of your mind.
Paying attention is the best way to stave off memory loss. Ask questions about things you need to remember, for instance the spelling of a new name you hear. For example, if someone named “Tracy” introduces herself to you, ask her which letter she uses at the end of her name so that you can picture her name spelled properly in your head. Comment on the things you learn to ingrain them in your memory. Sneak your memory tricks into conversations with others, and you will not have any issue recalling the information at a later point.
Create a memory tree. If you have a lot of information to memorize, start at the core. Make limbs, the crucial details, branch off the tree, the large subjects. Finally, put leaves on the branches, the smaller details. Organizing the relative importance of information can help you remember details better.
Try to study a subject in as much depth as possible. You can remember information easier when you learn as much as possible about it. Take learning a word. Don’t just read the basic definition. Read a full description of its meaning and history.
If you have a large quantity of information you need to remember, organize things in related categories rather than studying random clusters of information. Studying in this manner increases the chance that your memory can access the information when you need it.
While it is not uncommon for a person to “draw a blank” here and there, it is nonetheless discomfiting when this becomes increasingly frequent. This can possibly indicate a real problem with memory loss. Use the ideas you read about here and help yourself retain precious memories.