Memory is a wonderful attribute of being human. It makes us who we are since we use it to retain knowledge about our past experiences. Without it we would not be capable of learning new skills and retaining information necessary to become a productive member of our world. To help deal with the frustrations that come with a declining memory, we have provided some practical and easy tips to follow.
You should keep a list of things that you need to get at a grocery store. By keeping a list you will know exactly what it is that you need to get. This will save a you lot of time from wandering aimlessly, as well as money, once you are at the store. Once home, it will also help keep you organized since you will not have too many multiples of things you thought you needed.
Like an actor does before putting on a play, rehearsing what you learn is a great way to improve your memory. If you are attempting to study, recite the problems and answers aloud, and you will absorb the information easier, and ultimately, retain it more efficiently. This is a great way to improve your overall memory.
Do your best to use multiple locations when studying, this way your brain will file the information into long term storage, rather than just associating it with a specific location. This way, the information is not associated with a particular place. Instead, it becomes a part of you. When you study the information in a variety of places, it is more likely to be stored in your long-term memory.
Organize the information you’re trying to study. Studies have shown that your brain stores similar information in the same spot. So to maximize your studying effort, you want to try and group similar things together when you’re studying. Using an outline to group subjects or sub-topics together can be beneficial in the long run.
To help prevent memory loss, you should regularly spend time socializing with your friends. Interacting with friends and loved ones in a social setting helps to prevent stress and depression, both of which seriously impede memory function. Clear time in your schedule to relax and enjoy your friends. Your memory will thank you for it.
Getting rid of unpleasant and negative thoughts can help you improve your memory. Studies show that people who are stressed or who have negative thoughts suffer more from memory loss than other people. Ask your doctor about what you can do to relieve your stress.
Give your full attention and focus on what you are trying to remember. Try to study in a place that is quiet and calm for the best memory retention. Try to actively recall information in order to move it from your short term memory to your long term memory.
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!
Try to visualize what you are trying to remember. When you see a mental picture of what you want to learn, you can recall it better. Visualize things like images, charts, or special aspects of the material that you are reading. When you remember those characteristics, you can recall the material more effectively.
If you have a hard time memorizing things, it is wise to try not to learn too many new things at the same time. Wait until you have fully memorized a piece of information before moving on to the other. Learning many things at the same time will just make everything scramble in your brain.
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.
Improve memory with mnemonics. Use an acronym to remember lists of related things. For example, ‘Homes’ is used to remember the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. The first letter of the words in a sentence can represent a list of letters that you have to remember. For example, “Every good boy does fine” can be used to memorize the notes on the lines of a treble clef: E,G,B,D and F.
Just like a muscle, with your brain it is use it or lose it. Constantly train and exercise your brain to stave off cognitive decline. Do word searches, sudoku, and crossword puzzles to keep your brain active. In this way you will surely slow down memory loss, and keep your brain’s skills sharp.
A great tip that can help you improve your memory is to seek help if you’re suffering from depression. Depression can do a number on your brain. It can make it hard for you to concentrate and remember things. Getting proper treatment can help you improve your memory.
Cramming to remember information is rarely effective. You can even make up your own unique methods of remembering things, like study sessions. It’s best not to try and learn everything at once. Your mind won’t be able to keep track of everything, and before long, you’ll forget the things you worked to learn. Make sure you have regular study segments to ensure that your brain can remember things.
We all want to have the most accurate memory possible, but as time goes by some of us are affected by memory loss. In addition, Alzheimers disease has become increasingly common, and there does not seem to be an effective treatment at this point. Research has made some advances, but the exact cause is still unknown. Whether you have lost some of your memory as a symptom to an illness or just due to the natural aging process, the above-mentioned tips will help improve or even sharpen it.
