As individuals age, losing memories is sadly inevitable. There are those that say we lose memories as we replace them with newer memories, but this is of no comfort to someone who is struggling with memory loss. By using the following strategies, you can ensure that the process of memory loss is halted.
Coming up with mnemonic devices to help improve memory helps to absorb information for greater periods of time. Consider this analogy: Mnemonic devices relate to memory much like quick, shorthand writing is used by writers. You “tag” the thing you want to remember with a helpful image or word that will prompt your memory.
If this is true for you, the best way to remedy the situation is to take a short break once every hour or so. This lets your mind unwind a bit. You will go back to work better able to retain the information you are working on.
Simply paying better attention to the information you wish to remember may help keep it in your memory. You may assume you are concentrating and focused, but often people’s minds wander in different directions. This hurts their ability to recall things later. Choose to clearly focus on the subject matter at hand. Focusing and thinking clearly will greatly improve your memory.
Mnemonic Devices
Just like your muscles, you must use your brain to keep it in good shape. One way to keep your mind sharp is to regularly partake in challenging word puzzles.
You might find mnemonic devices useful in retaining and recalling some memories. You can compare mnemonic devices to shorthand writing; the former helps with memory, while the later assists writers. 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.
Exercise will help you maintain your memory. Exercising helps get blood, and thus oxygen, to the brain, which promotes brain health. Your brain is what keeps your memory running, which is why it’s important to keep your body and brain healthy if you want your memory to stay in good shape. One advantage exercise has in terms of memory is that it helps ward off diseases that often adversely affect cognitive function.
Using your brain frequently and in interesting ways keeps it limber, just like exercising the muscles every day keeps them in top shape. Researchers have found that engaging in puzzle games reduces your risk of becoming senile.
Memory games can help hone your memory. There are various memory games that are enjoyable, and that can help better your memory. Furthermore, memory games allow you to develop your ability to focus and concentrate. Some great memory games can be found online, and are free to use.
Memory can be retained when you exercise. A good workout increases the flow of oxygen and blood to your brain, which helps maintain your brain’s health. Since your memory is tied to your brain, keeping your body healthy in general can help your memory stay strong. Exercise can also ward off serious conditions, such as diabetes, that have negative effects on the memory.
Visualization is a proven technique that aids in remembering critical information. Look for pictures and charts related to the information you wish to remember; these visual cues will be memorized more easily than words. You can draw graphs and charts of your own to help you remember.
In order to engage your memory and keep it working as well as it can, you need to stay socially active. Interacting with others not only keeps your spirits up, it also keeps you alert. Don’t let yourself get isolated and depressed. Your brain needs stimulation to work properly; depression, sadness and loneliness stop your brain from receiving that stimulation. If you have regular conservations with people you know, your mind will be engaged and you will remember things better.
Take time for relating the information you want to memorize to information you already retain. Synthesizing these related thoughts together will greatly increase your ability to file new bits of information into your memory. This not only helps you retain memories, but also speeds up the process of memory retention.
When you learn something new, link that information with something you already know. Constructing this relational latticework dramatically boosts the odds of you getting the new information to stick to your memory. Plus, this relational exercise can speed up your memorization process.
As a person gets older, one of the saddest things that can happen to them is memory loss. Prescription medication works in certain cases, it’s especially helpful if memory loss is associated with severe problems like dementia.
Go to your local library to get books to boost your memory. A lot of books for improving brain function have been written by well known authorities, and they can provide you with some good techniques for remembering.
Regular exercise is a great strategy to help improve your memory. Even jogging or dancing each day for 20 minutes will help.
Retain Information
A good way to seal in memories is to teach others about them. For instance, if you have trouble recalling a story about swimming with your grandchild, try telling more people about it. This also allows you to properly encode the memory into your brain, making it much easier to call upon when needed.
Take some ginseng if you want to try and improve your memory. Ginseng has several qualities that improve the brain’s ability to collect and retain information. Plus, it’s been shown to be great for your health overall. You also want to consider adding green tea to your diet as well, as it is also proven to help you retain information.
Refrain from cram sessions when dealing with information. If you need to remember something, create study sessions for yourself. It is stressful and ineffective to try and learn a new subject, all in one sitting. It will overwhelm your mind, and you will end up forgetting much of it very easily. You need to schedule study sessions on a regular basis to help your brain get in the habit of consistently remembering.
One way to significantly improve your memory is to teach others. For instance, if you want to remember the time you taught your son to swim, tell the story more often. If you want to remember how to play the piano, teach your grandkids. Teaching reinforces the material in your brain, and it makes it much more difficult to lose or forget the information.
Do not doubt yourself. A lot of people think that memory will fade as you get older. This is not always the case. Making the assumption that you will eventually lose your memory can make it a reality. If people are telling you that you are absentminded and forgetful, you may start to internalize these labels. Simply believing that you have a good memory can help it stay that way.
Try saying things out loud to yourself. Anytime you learn a new name, repeat it verbally. By saying and listening to the information you wish to retain, you will be more likely to remember it in the long term. Repeat it multiple times until it is ingrained in your head.
Repeat items that you are trying to remember aloud. When you learn anything new, such as a persons name, repeat it to yourself outloud. Repeating things where you can hear it is a great way to ensure that you remember that bit of information at a later date. Whether you are by yourself or with others, do not feel embarrassed, and say it a few times.
Ensure that you get plenty of rest. If you want to strengthen your memory, you need to get adequate sleep. When you lack concentration, it can be difficult to retain your memories over the long term.
One way to boost your memory is relate the things you want to remember with information you already know. Associating something short-term with a long-term memory can really help you better remember things. It also accelerates the speed at which you can turn short term memory into your long term memories.
In order to improve your brain’s memory so that you can remember important things, you should eat the right type of food for the brain. Brain health needs healthy fats. Consume things like walnuts, fish, flax seed oils, and olives. Stay away from trans fats.
An excellent method of improving the memory function and elasticity of your brain, relieving your stress, and improving overall health is through meditation. When you meditate, find a location that is calm and comfortable, and concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. Try to do this 30 minutes every day to keep your brain active.
Fish Oil
One of the ways to keep your brain functioning at its best is to eat foods that are good for your brain health. Healthy fats are essential for the health of your brain. Consume things like walnuts, fish, flax seed oils, and olives. Stay away from trans fats.
Fish oil supplements may help you to gain greater functioning in memory capacity, as well as offer other improvements. Research show that fatty acids such as omega-3, like seen in fish oil, have the capacity to enhance your memory. As with any dietary supplement, be sure to consult with your usual physician before you begin taking it.
If you experience difficulty with remembering names, try associating new acquaintances with more familiar people who share their name. You can also make the mental association with someone famous. Creating this connection between a familiar face and a new one will help you to more readily bring their name to mind.
Recovering lost memories is not possible in all cases, but it is worth a try. But the tips we give here can definitely aid you in retaining memories from now on. Use these tips to make sure you keep your memory good and strong.
Envision any information you are trying to remember in the form of a memory tree. Concentrate initially on the primary gist of a large subject before fretting over details. The bits of detailed knowledge are like limbs extending from the tree trunk. The smaller details and examples represent the leaves to each branch. By storing memories in your brain in an organized fashion, and using visualizations to help connect the memories, you will find yourself better able to remember things.