We’re all fully aware that memory loss is nothing to take lightly. We are our memories. Without them, we have no idea where we’ve been or who we are. It is vital to protect our identity and our experiences. Help to protect those memories you cherish by employing these memory-specific tips.
Avoid cramming all your material into one short study session. Studies show that information is better retained, if you take some time to learn it. You can do this by scheduling short study sessions in the days and weeks, prior to an exam. Cramming everything into one sitting will only prove to be counter productive.
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. You brain will be better able to absorb information.
Visualizing yourself recalling information is actually a great way in which you can work to recall information. You are basically training your brain to be able to memorize items when you foresee yourself dipping into that memory bank to pull them out at a later date. Think of it like visualizing your hand turning a doorknob before you actually turn it.
Your brain is similar to a muscle that needs to exercised regularly to remain sharp. Research has documented that puzzle playing wards off senility.
Avoid smoking cigarettes to keep your memory from being negatively affected. Studies have shown that the memory of smokers suffers more than compared to non-smokers. You probably didn’t need yet another reason to quit, but maybe this will be the one that lets you finally put down that pack.
To improve your memory, try a glass or two of wine. You may be surprised to know that wine in moderation can help improve your memory. Red wines are the highest in resveratrol, a chemical that increases your brain power and may even prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Just don’t drink too much or it may hurt your memory instead of helping it!
If you find that your memory has deteriorated drastically in a short period of time, it is important that you see your doctor right away. Sudden memory loss could be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, which can effect people of all ages.
Keep your social life active. It is proven that those with an active social life have a better memory. Talk to your friends and family, either in person or over the phone, because it will stimulate your brain. Having an active social life will slow your memory from fading.
Participate in regular exercise. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain and can be helpful to your memory. It also gets blood flowing to your brain more. It can also help prevent diseases that can lead to memory loss in the future. An active body leads to an active mind.
To better commit names to memory, repeat a person’s name after an introduction, and try to come up with something about the person that might help you remember his or her name. If you meet a Bob who mentions that he enjoys fishing, you might associate his name with a bobber like those used on a fishing line, for instance.
Eat a healthy diet to keep your memory strong. Your brain needs the proper nutrients to keep the brain cells healthy. A healthy diet includes keeping your body properly hydrated and reducing alcohol intake. Alcohol confuses the mind; too much of it adversely affects your memory. Your diet should include low-sugar and low-fat foods.
Utilize all of your senses. You may have already heard that smell is a powerful sense in relation to your memory. This is true. When trying to recall something, don’t just look for a picture of it in your mind. Try to remember how it smelled or felt or even tasted.
An easy trick to remembering the name of a new person is to think of someone else with the identical name, then connect the two in your mind. You can also make the mental association with someone famous. By connecting the new face with a familiar name, you should be able to recall the new individual’s name.
You need to actively prepare your mind before you start to try to remember something. In the same way a runner needs to stretch first, you need to visualize yourself learning what you are trying to commit to memory. This can also help you to be more prepared and organized as well.
Older people who are worried about losing memory can use electronic devices such as the Wii to help with memory. These types of interactive video games have designed games that are actually geared to help improve memory like Nintendo’s Brain Age. Also the stimulation of working with the puzzles involved in video games is a great brain stimulator.
Use a visualization technique to help you remember information. Most people can recall study material better if they are able to associate it with a picture. You may be able to link a chart or picture in your study book to your information or you can make your own image by drawing graphs or figures.
When trying to remember a small group of items try to sing them. Make things that you need to remember into little songs. Studies have been done that show that songs are easier to remember than just remembering groups of objects in a list. Just think about all the jingles you hear on television and the radio, they are very easy to remember even when you hear them only once or twice.
The human brain has the natural ability to remember words put together with rhyme. This is why you are able to remember rhyming poetry and song lyrics. When you need to retain information, make rhymes with it. This will help you to remember it and the process of remembering it will benefit your mind’s fitness.
We all cherish our memories greatly. Even those things that you wish you could forget, would leave an empty space in what type of person you are, if you would forget them. Experiences build character, even the negative ones. Make sure you’re reading and memorizing these tips, in order to help your memory!
