A
strong memory depends on the health and vitality of your brain. Whether you're
a student studying for final exams, a working professional interested in doing
all you can to stay mentally sharp, or a senior looking to preserve and enhance
your grey matter as you age, there are lots of things you can do to improve
your memory and mental performance.
Here are 10 improved ways to improve your memory;
- BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
Myths about
aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do
worse on memory tasks when exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and
memory, and better if exposed to messages about memory preservation into old
age.
- CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Engaging in
activities that require you to concentrate and tax your memory will help you
maintain skills as you age. Discuss books, do crossword puzzles, try new
recipes, travel, and undertake projects or hobbies that require skills you
aren't familiar or comfortable with.
- ECONOMISE YOUR
BRAIN USE
Take
advantage of calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and
address books to keep routine information accessible. Designate a place at home
for your glasses, keys, and other items you use frequently.
- EXPAND YOUR BRAIN
Widen the
brain regions involved in learning by reading aloud, drawing a picture, or
writing down the information you want to learn (even if you never look back at
your notes). Just forming a visual image of something makes it easier to
remember and understand; it forces you to make the information more precise
- MAKE A MNEMONIC
Mnemonic
devices are creative ways to remember lists. They can take the form of acronyms
such as the classic every good boy does fine, to remember the musical notes E,
G, B, D, and F on the lines of the treble clef. For older learners, a
particularly helpful system is a story mnemonic that is, a brief narrative in
which each item cues you to remember the next one.
- ORGANISE YOUR
THOUGHT
New
information that's broken into smaller chunks, such as the hyphenated sections
of a phone or social security number, is easier to remember than a single long
list, such as financial account numbers or the name of everyone in a classroom.
- REPEAT AFTER ME
When you
want to remember something you have just heard or thought about, repeat it out
loud. For example, if you've just been told someone's name, use it when you speak
with him or her: So John, where did you meet Camille?
- SPACE IT OUT
Instead of
repeating something many times in a short period, as if you were cramming for
an exam, re-study the essentials after increasingly longer periods of time once
an hour, then every few hours, then every day. Spacing out periods of study is
particularly valuable when you are trying to master complicated information.
- TAKE A COURSE
Memory-improvement
courses are becoming more common. Choose one run by health professionals or
experts in psychology or cognitive rehabilitation. Stay away from courses that
center on computer or concentration games, which generally won't help you with
real-life memory problems. Select a course that focuses on practical ways to
manage everyday challenges.
- USE ALL YOUR SENSES
The more
senses you use when you learn something, the more of your brain will be
involved in retaining the memory. For example, odors are famous for conjuring
memories from the distant past, especially those with strong emotional content,
such as visits to a cookie-baking grandparent.
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