There was once a time in your life where you were undoubtedly sharp as a tack, able to recall information with ease. As you get older, the ability to soak up and retain knowledge so readily falls by the wayside. You can work to get your memory back, however; you just have to use some great tips like the ones listed below.
A useful strategy when tasked with the memory of new information is to restructure and reorganize the information. The simplest way to do this is to take the information and create a summary outline in a notebook or on your computer. This works for two reasons. It is easier to remember something that you have worked with, and the process also naturally reorders the information in a way that is easier for you to remember.
Keep lists of everything. Keep a shopping list at all times. Hang it on your refrigerator. Every time you think of something you need, add it to the list. This will help make sure you don’t forget anything. Keep lists for other things as well, such as things that need done around your house.
The best way to keep your memory sharp is to make sure that you stay mentally active. Physical exercise keeps your body in shape, and mental exercise keeps your mind in shape. Doing crossword puzzles, reading complicated passages, playing board games, or learning a musical instrument can all help you keep your mental edge.
Be sure to visit a dentist and take good care of your teeth if you want to have a good memory. Tooth and gum disease have been known to clog your carotid arteries, which in turn decreases oxygen to the brain. Without enough oxygen, the brain cannot process and keep information.
To improve your memory for the item you are studying, make sure it has the full focus of your attention. Memory works by taking important items from the present and storing them for recall later. If you aren’t focused on what you’re trying to learn, your brain won’t deem those facts important and won’t store them.
A great tip that can help you improve your memory is to start limiting how much alcohol you drink. Drinking too much alcohol can destroy many brain cells over time, which can severely impair your cognitive functions, such as memory. Limit your alcohol to only one or two drinks a day.
A good tip if you’re struggling from memory loss is to consult with your doctor. If your memory loss is only getting worse, you need to see your doctor right away so they can run some tests on you. You shouldn’t feel embarrassed to ask for professional help.
If you are wanting to remember something new, say it! Any new material that you want to remember should be read aloud. When you read words out loud, you form a memory pathway through two of your senses, sight and hearing. This gives two paths of retrieval when you want to recall this information at a future date.
When you are trying to learn something new and you want to remember it, associate with something you already know. For instance, let’s say you are learning a new phone number, remember it by thinking of a similar phone number. You have a better chance of keeping new information this way.
You need to make sure you focus on the information that you are trying to remember. If you are trying to remember a shopping list, try visualizing the items or write them down to jog your memory. Take your time to repeat information after you hear it so it has a chance of sticking with you.
Keep your memory sharp by playing brain games often. Crossword puzzles, number games, and trivia are great examples. Brain games keep your memory sharp. They also improve your concentration level and attention span. Use them as a fun way to greatly enhance your cognitive abilities.
Lately, have you been having trouble with your memory? Maybe this is because you are having sleeping problems. Surprisingly, poor sleep can hurt your memory processes. If you are having trouble going to sleep at night or if you are sleep-deprived for any other reason, it could be causing your lapse in memory. If sleeping continues to be a problem consult your physician for help in alleviating this situation.
Things are easier to remember if they have a special meaning to you. Think about why you need to memorize the information. For example, if you are going shopping, ask your self why. It could be for your child’s birthday, and thinking about that will help you remember what you need to buy.
As you study, your memory can be improved by setting up a schedule that’s consistent. Stick to this schedule as you learn information through several sessions. You need some time to process the information and retain it. When people use this method, studies have shown information is retained better than for people who try to remember everything at once.
Try to study a subject in as much depth as possible. If you know a little something about a subject, you will be far more likely to remember details about it. For instance, if you have to remember a word and the definition, read the definition from a number of sources.
When trying to improve your memory, brain stimulation and using your mind is important. Schedule a weekly game night with your friends or family and make your brain exercise fun. The mental workout received from games such as chess, or Scrabble are very effective tools in boosting the power of your brain.
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.
Fortunately, you do not have to sit by and allow your ability to remember suffer any more than it already has. If you can follow these simplistic tips listed above, you can work to strengthen your knowledge retention and ultimately improve your overall ability to remember practically anything you put your mind to.
