Strengthen your cognitive skills and learn valuable tips for increasing your memory capacity. While it may seem that there is nothing you can do to strengthen your memory as you age, there are actually a number of strategies you can adopt. This will ensure that your mind stays sharp, no matter what situation faces you and no matter how long you have lived.
Try playing fun, brain-challenging games to boost your memory. It is actually not much different than the exercises you use to keep your body in tip-top shape. Regular exercise of your brain helps it to become stronger, and will improve your memory, focus and concentration skills. Word searches and puzzles are games that are effective at stimulating your brain.
A useful mechanism for refining your ability to recall data is to write things down on paper. This process increases the flow of blood to the brain, particularly the areas associated with memory, and forces you to use it. 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.
If you want to remember information for long periods of time, develop some association strategies, or mnemonic devices, to help you. Using mnemonics to aid your memory is akin to using shorthand. You will associate information with another word, you will be able to relate it and have a map to that memory.
Paying attention will help your memory. If your mind constantly wanders, you won’t properly absorb information. Forget about your problems and stay focused on the information presented. Think hard about your subject and burn the information into your memory.
Sticky Notes
Try writing sticky notes if you are having trouble remembering things. Place them in conspicuous locations that you frequent, such as on your computer monitor or near your cell phone. Using sticky notes will make sure you don’t forget to do something important.
Consume more fish regularly. If you find that your memory is sorely lacking, this could be due to a shortage of Omega-3 consumption in your diet. You can add fish oil to your diet easily by taking an Omega 3 supplement.
Being socially active is good for your memory. This will help keep your mind alert and focused, and your spirits lifted. If you are depressed or feel lonely, your brain isn’t working like it should. Stimulating conversations with friends can strengthen your mind and better your memory.
If you have to remember something, associate this idea with a word, a song or an image. Using a funny mnemonic device creates a humorous, entertaining association with the piece of information, and you will be able to recall it more easily in the future.
When mastering new information, connect it with something you already know and can access easily. For instance, your birthplace or your mother’s maiden name. Creating a relationship between the two things makes it much easier for your brain to store information and recall it later. This not only helps you retain memories, but also speeds up the process of memory retention.
Memory Improvement
Log on to your library’s website and download ebooks designed for memory improvement. There are many professionals who have written memory improvement books that draw on scientifically validated techniques that have been shown to improve memory.
You should consider consuming ginseng as it is an effective method for improving memory. Ginseng has been shown to boost your memory and provide greater clarity of thought. There are also other benefits from ginseng to help your overall health. Another natural item that has been shown to help improve memory loss is green tea.
A great way to make your memory more effective is to teach other people. You might find it helpful to discuss an idea with others; this makes it more likely that you will be able to recall the memory at a later date. This will make the memory more concrete in your mind, and make it harder to forget.
Even after you are out of school, you should continue to exercise your brain by learning new things. When you don’t try to learn new things, you aren’t exercising the area of your brain which controls memory. The time may come when you will find it hard to remember some important information if you neglect the need to “exercise” your memory.
You can apply these strategies to make sure that you can mentally prepare for the challenges in life. You can accomplish so much more in life with a sharper mind and quicker memory reflexes. Your life will change right in step with your memory.