Our memories play a large role in our appreciation of our friends and loved ones. Suffering from memory loss is not a necessary evil. Keep reading for ideas on how to improve your memory and preserve your brain function.
Brain-challenging games can be an enjoyable way to get your memory in high gear. Mental exercises are similar to muscular exercises. Giving your brain exercise really helps it become much stronger, improving memory retention, focus, and concentration. Crossword puzzles, scrabble or word searches are just a few examples of fun ways to give your brain and memory a little workout.
Many people find that writing things down makes it much easier to commit them to memory. This exercise causes blood to flow to the area of the brain which is responsible for memory. You can drastically improve your memory when you keep a journal or other detailed documentation.
Mnemonic Devices
Developing mnemonic devices in order to improve your memory is a great way to retain information for longer durations. Try using mnemonic devices similar to how writers use shorthand. 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.
For memory improvement, rid yourself of unpleasant or negative thoughts. Research clearly shows that high stress levels are detrimental to memory retention. Negative thoughts have also been shown to interfere with the memory building processes of the brain. Your doctor or a counselor can advise you on ways to reduce your stress level.
Memory Games
You can improve your skills with memory games. Once you look at what is available, you are sure to find something you really enjoy doing and strengthens your memory at the same time. Such exercises sharpen concentration as well as memory. Do an online search for memory games that can be played for free online.
If studying of any kind is a common activity for you, then one tactic you can do to boost your memory is to change your studying location and environment. Changing up your environment refreshes your brain, and helps long-term memory become more effective. When your brain notices a change in surroundings, it’ll become more alert, and will be better at taking in information as a result.
Use visualization to jog your memory and help with remembering the ideas and thoughts that are important to you. Look for pictures and charts related to the information you wish to remember; these visual cues will be memorized more easily than words. You might also want to consider creating your own graphs and charts.
One of the quickest ways to make your memory better is by teaching others. For instance, if you have forgotten the plot of that interesting anime you watched last year, recount it to anyone willing to listen. The memory will become more vivid, and remain in your memory for a longer time.
Although you may have left the classroom far behind, you should never stop trying to learn new ways of thinking. If you do not keep on learning new things, parts of your mind will lose their abilities. Then, when you have to recall something, you might discover that it is difficult for you.
Repeat things out loud. When you are introduced to a person, repeat their name out loud if you can. Saying and hearing it out loud will help to seal the memory into your brain. This will help you recall it later. To make it even more effective (and if you are not easily embarrassed), say it out loud multiple times.
Get plenty of sleep. Research has demonstrated that the amount of sleep you get is one factor that impacts memory. If you lack concentration, you won’t be able to convert short-term memory into long-term memory.
Meditating is a good way to get rid of your stress and improve your memory skills. When you meditate, find a location that is calm and comfortable, and concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. For maximum results, you should try to meditate from 30 minutes to one full hour daily.
Classical Music
To improve your memory, try to put on classical music if you are able to. In general, music that is soothing will assist in bringing you to a more relaxed state, resulting in better memory. Take a relaxing bath, listening to classical music, with aromatic candles burning is a great way to have the ultimate experience of relaxation.
You can better your memory while studying by consistently learning the material at the same time daily over several sessions. You need some time to process the information and retain it. Research indicates that this method helps people recall information better than all-night “cram sessions” where all the information is tackled at one time.
One way to improve your mind and memory is by taking care of your body. If you keep your body fit by working out, you’ll increase the capability of your brain to remember things, and retain information. Exercising helps your blood flow and oxygenate your brain. This reduces your risks of getting a disorder related to memory loss. When you work out, more chemicals in your brain will become active, and your brain cells will get an additional layer of protection.
This tip can help you retain new information. If you need to remember something new, see if you can connect it to facts already in your knowledge base. By creating a connection between new data and things already learned, you will have greater success recalling the newest information.
The idea of forgetting an important date is often viewed as humorous until you realize that there are quite a few dates that you can not recall. This could just be the start of your memory loss. Use the tips from the article above to help boost your memory skills.