10 Steps to Improve Your Memory

(image via howstuffworks.com)

1. Stretch your mind.

I do a crossword puzzle everyday. It forces me to push myself mentally, to see words and phrases in different ways.

It also works my skills of recollection. I am convinced this helps my memory. There are tons of puzzles and games you can do. If you don’t like crosswords, try word searches, sudoku or kenken.

Some people even believe video games improve memory.

"Scientists are increasingly examining the potential benefits of video games. Their studies are revealing that a wide variety of games can boost mental function, improving everything from vision to memory." - Emily Anthes, The Boston Globe

2. Spread out your food and drink intake.

When you overload yourself with food and/or drink, your sugar level spikes. Then shortly thereafter, it drops dramatically. This causes an energy loss that reduces your mental recall. Consuming calories in moderation throughout the day increases (and stabilizes) your mental aptitude.

3. Exercise.

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain. Studies have shown that exercise reduces the prospect of Alzheimer’s. Exercise also has a calming effect that reduces stress and settles the mind.

4. Increase your antioxidant consumption.

Foods containing antioxidants – such as berries, broccoli and spinach – have been shown to improve mental function. Ditto for Omega-3 fatty acids (fish!). I can't say for sure this diet tip will help improve your memory, but it will make you healthier. So no loss there!

5. Learn memory skills. It can be fun!

I'm not great with names, so I developed a little game to help me recall a person's name. Whenever I meet a person for the first time, I immediately try to picture a Post-It note with her name stuck to her forehead. For some reason, imagining the name in writing helps me. Hey, it worked for FDR, too!

6. Develop mnemonics or rhymes.

The combination on my bike lock is 42-32-10. I had trouble remembering it until I made up a goofy statement: "Hey Jim, you don't look 42. You don't even look 32. You're a 10!"

Ok, silly. I admit it. But it helps me remember!

7. Get some sleep.

There's an expression that "fatigue makes cowards of us all." We're never at our best when running on empty. That goes for mental productivity as well.

8. Concentrate.

People often forget things simply because they don't concentrate enough at the outset. When you're about to read or learn something important, something worth remembering, take note and focus. That act alone will improve your powers of recall.

9. Convert important facts into a format that assists your recall.

I am always working to improve my vocabulary, which requires a healthy memory. After all, there's really no point in learning new words without that ability to pull up words to use as and when you want them. I try to write down new words and definitions as I encounter them. Then I write it in a sentence. This always helps me remember it later.

10. Don't stress too much.

Sometimes memory problems occur when we stress about our memory problems. It's like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We think we don't have a good memory, so we stress ourselves into not having a good memory. You have a better memory than you think. With these tips, though, you will be able to make it a little better.

Comments

[Alec Berg]

Get a good book like the one by Harry Lorraine and Jerry Lucas called The Memory Book. I was reading this book on the train and it helped me remember pi to 20 digits. I was so proud of myself for accomplishing such a feat as I realized that I left my umbrella on the train.

[HeiferTester]

I hate to admit it, but I once forgot where I left _The Memory Book_

[Randomguru]

I'm a musician and I sort of pride in the fact that I know all these jazz standards and pop tunes on the piano. But, in other areas I'm totally scatter-brained and forgetful.

This is a good memory list of things to practice to keep the mind in good shape. I'm into raw foods and the more I eat them the more energy I have, but knowing some raw foods are good for memory is reassuring too.

Great post!

[Senthil Balakrishnan]

Good post, I always felt brain needs constant training and need to be kept on its toes otherwise you will see the sluggishness creeping in as you get old.

[Angela]

Good tips! I started carrying Moleskin notebooks with me to joy down notes. I review my notes every few days. It helps me process the info better. But I did forget what I was going to do after reading this post!:)

[Smal]

The brain always need exercise. In our society we let others think for us and as a result our brain dies slowly like our bodies.

[Jim Randel]

Thanks for the comments everyone!! ... I have been reading a lot about how the brain works of late ... so little is really known. There are 100 billion brain cells each of which can connect with up to 10,000 other brain cells. That means there are one QUADRILLION (1,000,000,000,000,000) connections. It's no wonder scientists don't understand exactly how memory works... so, I think for the next couple of decades it is up to us to figure the process out anecdotally and by trial and error ... OK, now what was I about to do?

[Coach Lowell]

Great tips, thx. Another is to sit quietly or meditate for a short period, relaxing and letting go of your monkey mind. The next moment may be quite lucid and free. And thanks for the tip on how to remember your lock combination. Where *do* you park your bike, Jim?

[Jim Randel]

:)

[Sally]

I almost always forget a person's name especially if I find him or her uninteresting. It's embarrassing!

Thanks for the tips. I'm doing # 3, 8,9 and 10 all the time though. Maybe it's just that I am not really interested in people (except those who really impress me)..

[Mike]

If you're looking for some further information you could do worse than Fraces Yates' "The Art of Memory"

[Garry]

Remember the number "three". The Mind remembers what it perceives is important to survival. As you get older you selectively decide what needs to be remembered whereas children's brains remember everything.

To trick the "survival mode" of memory into becoming active you can write something down then read it again "three weeks" later.

Then wait "three months" more and read it again. The mind will be tricked into thinking that this MUST be important to our survival and the data will be embroiled into memory. The above is easy to do if you use a "Dayplanner".

[Antivirus_man]

Hi, I congratulate you on Merry Christmas!

[turtle ridge homes]

If you don’t like crosswords, try word searches, sudoku or kenken.

[MonaVie]

It may sound a bit weird to others but what helps keep my memory in check is I do a little math with 3 number combinations everytime and it will help me remember certain telephone number digits or at least some of it and it will help me remember the rest. Easier to remember one number and deduce it to 3 digits than remember 3 digits for me. don't know why.

[Moncler France Boutique]

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