No doubt you’ll agree that the ability to remember is very important. Having a good memory can give you an advantage in school, on your job and in other areas. There are many things you can do to improve your memory and to give you that edge. Read this article to get some suggestions.
If you find yourself having difficulty remembering some things, try to use acronyms or tricks called mnemonics to help you remember. An example of this is to use Roy G. Biv to remember the colors of the rainbow as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. These types of tricks can really improve your memory.
Use mnemonic devices to help you remember information. The best mnemonics use humor and positive imagery to help you recall facts, so come up with a song, joke, poem or rhyme to help you memorize important segments of information. The simpler the mnemonic, the easier it will be to remember.
If you need to remember some information, study it regularly instead of cramming it in all at once. Research has shown that studying something in short, but frequent, sessions produces better results than spending one long period of time cramming it in. Shorter, more frequent sessions allow your brain time to process what it has learned and to commit the information to memory.
Developing mnemonic devices so you are able to enhance your mind is a good way to grasp knowledge for a longer duration. Mnemonic devices used for memory is similar to writers using shorthand. Your mind links a specific fact or idea with a well-known word or image. This creates a relationship that makes it easier for you to recall that memory.
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.
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.
Rid your mind of negative thoughts in order to improve your memory. The scientific community states that anyone who has negative thoughts or suffers from a lot of stress normally has less memory retention than people who are not always stressed out. Consult your physician to explore stress relief techniques.
If you notice that you are having trouble with your memory, you may want to try running or riding a bicycle on a regular basis. Medical research has shown that running and bicycle riding stimulates the growth of new brain cells, which in turn, helps to improve a person’s memory.
In order to maintain a strong memory, be sure to remain active in a social context. Interacting with others not only keeps your spirits up, it also keeps you alert. Your brain is not stimulated if you are depressed or lonely, and the cells in your brain aren’t getting any exercise. You can keep your memory in better shape by having conversations with friends.
Break complex information down into smaller, more memorable pieces. This simple trick is regularly used to help people remember large numbers. For instance, your credit card numbers, phone number and social security number are all broken down into smaller, hyphenated sections to make them easier to remember. You can do the same thing with any complex data that you are trying to recall.
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.
When you’re having trouble remembering something, like when you’ve been studying for too long and can’t focus on the information anymore, try getting outside and taking a walk or jog. This will help you clear your head and get more oxygen pumping to your brain, thus letting your brain work at a higher capacity.
A way to improve your brain’s ability to handle tough challenges and remember things better is to spend fifteen minutes to half an hour each day playing brain teaser games like sudoku, crosswords, or electronic brain teasers. These games challenge and stimulate your brain in ways that you often wouldn’t get otherwise.
Teach others what you know. Sharing what you know can really help your memory. Even if you are not an expert on the subject, explain what you do know to a friend or family member. A combination of explaining and repeating the information aloud will help you in remembering it later.
Use all of your senses to help your memorize. All of your senses use different portions of your brain, so you will not have to work as hard to recall the information. Visualize the item, smell it (if you can) and taste it (if it is food). The more effort you put into visualizing the object, the easier it will be to recall.
When you need to remember new information, relate it to what you already know. If you use proper memorization techniques, you should have what you already know memorized under a certain structure. Add the new information within the same structure if you can, or add new categories to your organization.
When you have a good memory, you have both a better control of your life, and a better quality of life. Apply some of these suggestions as often as you can, and you will see a difference.
