10 TIPS TO IMPROVE OUR MEMORY

There are times we found ourselves saying, “I wish I had a better memory” and asking ourselves, “Can I really improve my memory?” Yes. You can. There are some proven techniques to improve your memory. The important thing is you are consistently doing it. As the saying goes “Practice makes a man perfect” and we can improve our memory to an exceptional level by regularly practicing these steps.

1. Concentrate on listening

Paying attention is a difficult task. We have two memories, short and long term memory. In order for the information to store in the long term memory, we need to have a keen attention and focus on the material.  So, try to be in a distraction free place and start the work.

2. Organize your time

Before starting the work organize your time. Have regular sessions to practice the material over and over. Put a timetable that you feel comfortable and don’t cram the list.

3. Find out new ways of thinking

Do you regularly solve crosswords? They are best in helping you to improve your memory better but if you do only cross words it will dim the other areas of your brain. So, keep learning new methods and games to constantly improve your memory. For example, you can try out a different game, new hobby, or even exploring a new pathway deviating from your usual route to your home, or take a different path while jogging, cycling etc. By doing new things your brain undergoes a physical exercise which helps in the betterment of your memory.

4. Eliminate stress

Even though it is difficult to eliminate stress completely we can reduce it. Studies show that learning something when you are depressed will store in your short term memory and just gets deleted after some time and you will not be able to recall it when you want. Food has a great role in influencing your stress so have a balanced diet. Include a lot of greens, fruits, dark chocolate etc which are some great stress reducing foods. Learning something when you are calm has the ability to store that information in your long term memory which registers firmly.

5. Mnemonics are fun

Mnemonics are a fun way of remembering things. Using mnemonics you can remember the things that you forget often with the help of rhyme, a song, lyrics, movie dialogues, a joke etc. It is a pleasant way of remembering things and doing this will have a difference. You should try it.

6. Visualizing the concepts

It is always best to imagine things while reading something. The concept of visualizing has a great influence on your memory. By imagining the concepts that you are learning you will have the ability to repeal without difficulty. If there are only words try drawing your very own images, graphs etc which well help you to remember the concepts well.

7. Relating new to the old

When you are reading a new concept or learning something new try to relate that information to your old concepts. This is not only a way of checking your level of understanding the concept but also it improves the memory and registers it well in your long term memory.

8. Demonstrate what you learn

Research shows that reading out aloud has the ability to remember things better. Also when you teach what you have learned, you will know how much you can recall and also you will understand the concepts better, thereby improving your memory.

9. Refer to various resources

Never stop with one resource when you are studying something. Refer to various resources and gather lots of information. This will help to broaden the way of thinking and also improves your memory as your brain will be registering a lot of new information. This activity broadens your memory.

10. Sleep, lots of sleep

The final most important thing is that you need to get a lot of sleep. A lot. Studies show that sleeping after you have learned something will help to register it in the long term memory and improves your recalling capacity.

I hope these tips are useful. Thanks for reading.