Memory loss, while a nuisance at times, is not as despairing as portrayed. If you feel that you are afflicted with memory loss, there are several techniques and solutions that you can utilize. With research, patience, and hard work, you will be able to improve your memory.
If you want to remember information for long periods of time, develop some association strategies, or mnemonic devices, to help you. Think of mnemonic devices for memory in the same way shorthand writing works for writers. You associate a piece of knowledge with a common word or item and thus you have correlated a roadmap to grab that piece of memory.
Associating newly-learned information with mnemonics helps improve retention of that information. Mnemonic devices are a great way to recall something. You will associate information with another word, you will be able to relate it and have a map to that memory.
Rid your mind of negative thoughts in order to improve your memory. 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. Discuss stress-relieving methods with your physician.
If you need to retain a great deal of information, you may find it useful to regularly switch up your study locations. You don’t want to limit yourself to associating certain information with certain areas. Instead, you want to keep your brain fresh. By moving around, however, you can easily store items in long-term memory by disassociating them from locations.
One of the simplest, and best, ways to keep your brain functioning well, thus improving your memory, is to get regular exercise. When you are exercising, your blood will flow to your brain in a better way and it will keep your brain healthier. Because memory is part of the way your brain functions, keeping your body and mind healthy are both important to maintaining it. Exercise can help you keep away diseases that can effect memory.
Sticky Notes
Use a mnemonic in the form of a phrase, picture, or song to remember things that are particularly difficult to recall. Utilizing humor is a great way to retain information and improve memory.
If you have a hard time remembering to do things, do not be ashamed to write sticky notes. Keep them in places you’ll see all the time, like beside your computer or on your refrigerator. Think of these sticky notes as an aid to your memory.
If you’d like to improve your ability to retain information, try visualizing the things that you’re hoping to memorize. If you’re studying material from textbooks, try using charts and photos for visual cues to help you retain the information. If graphs, images or charts are absent, create your own.
Whenever possible, allow yourself to get a full eight hours of sleep. Whether you are struggling with memory lapses in the short term or longer term, sleep can make a big difference. If you feel tired, remembering anything will seem difficult. Get enough restful sleep during the night to aid your memory.
Ginseng has been used for centuries to aid memory. The ingredients in ginseng have shown to help your brain retain information better. There are also health benefits to consuming ginseng. Green tea also can help increase your memory abilities.
Staying active with a strong social circle of friends and family is beneficial to having a good memory. Humans are genetically predisposed for social interaction, so your spirits will remain high while your mind remains alert. Depressed people don’t properly stimulate their mind, meaning their brain won’t get the necessary exercise it needs. Talking and interacting with friends, even if it is online, keeps your mind sharp and better able to remember things.
Teaching others is a great way to keep your memory sharp. For instance, if you have trouble remembering certain events or stories, relate them to someone else. Telling other people about events helps strengthen your memory of the event, so that you’re less likely to forget it.
Take some ginseng if you want to try and improve your memory. The ingredients in ginseng have shown to help your brain retain information better. There are also health benefits to consuming ginseng. Green tea is also thought to have some benefits in improving memory retention.
Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage by doubting yourself. Some people just assume that memory decline is an inevitable fact of aging. That’s not always the case. If you expect your memory to deteriorate as you age, this could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. People calling out your memory, which is common, can make you start to question yourself. Simply maintaining confidence in your ability to remember things can have a tremendous positive effect.
Speak out loud as often as possible (without embarrassing yourself!) Once you learn something for the first time, like a person’s name, vocalize it. When you say things out loud, you are helping ensure that the information sticks with you. Then, it is easier to remember at a later time. Multiple repetitions are a good idea any place where you are alone, unless you’re not shy about doing this in the company of others.
Ensure that you get plenty of rest. Studies have shown that sleep is important to keep your memory in tiptop shape. When you lack concentration, it can be difficult to retain your memories over the long term.
Many people swear by meditation as an effective means of improving memory function in a productive, holistic manner. Go to a calm place, and focus only on breathing slowly. Thirty minutes a day of meditation will help preserve your memory.
To supplement memory, try rehearsing or relating the material you wish to remember with what you already know. Relating new information in short-term memory with other information already stored in your long-term memory helps to move the new information into that long term area of the mind.
Classical music may improve your memory. Any music which is quiet and soothing will relax the body and mind, and this can help improve the memory. This setup is ideal for a long soak in the bathtub just before bedtime.
When you know you will need to recall information, try putting on some classical music. Soothing and soft music helps relax both your body and mind, and it also aids in improving memory. You can do this while you bathe in a warm bath, or in your bedroom before you’re going to bed.
The best way to make your memory sharper while studying is to come up with a regular schedule and spread the material out over several different sessions. Taking breaks and staying consistent helps your mind retain information better. Studies have proven that those who utilize this method are better able to recall the information.
To reduce the risk of developing conditions that cause loss of memory, stay connected to people by forming and maintaining strong relationships. Studies have proven that when you spend time with those you care about, it is good for your brain, and can help your brain hold memories.
This is unavoidable and a normal part of life. Use the tips you read here as well as other information you find on your own to come to terms with memory loss.
One way to get the most out of studying is to free yourself from distractions. Pick a quiet area for study. Humans need to store information in their long-term memory before they can easily remember it. Transferring new material into long-term storage can be a difficult task if you’re not focused on the actual topic.