Tips To Improve Memory: Three Action Plans
Your memory is one of your greatest assets, but it can also let you down at all the wrong times.
It always seems to fail us when we need to remember the names of our bosses kids, that nice neighbors first name, or where that great restaurant in Chicago is located. And as we age, our memory just seems to get worse and worse.
But there’s good news, because our memory doesn’t have to fail us …
First, let’s remember (no pun intended) that memory is a skill. Just like any other skill, the more we practice it, the stronger it becomes. To practice the skill of memory, we need to challenge and engage our brain to not only retain information, but recall it on demand.
Here are three plans of action to not only help keep your memory sharp, but improve your brain’s health and your overall well being too …
Use Acronyms To Help You Remember
Let’s suppose you’re about to go out and do some errands (and you haven’t made a list).
Further, let’s imagine you have to buy eggs, bread, and get the dry cleaning. Create an acronym to help you remember. Maybe in this case it’s BED, which of course would represent bread, eggs, dry cleaning.
Now granted, that’s a simple example, but you can see how it can help, because you essentially only have to remember one word instead of three.
And Speaking Of Bed …
Did you know that “power naps” are a great way to recharge your brain and refresh your memory? It’s true … 10-20 minute naps are ideal for regaining your focus and staying mentally sharp.
Once you nap longer than 1/2 hour or 45 minutes though, you run the risk of being groggy for a while. If you find you need to nap for longer periods of time, it’s a sure sign you aren’t getting enough restful sleep during your normal sleep hours.
Add “This” To Your Diet
Dark green leafy vegetables are good for you on so many levels, but they are particularly nourishing for your brain. And anything that’s nourishing for your brain is good for your memory skills.
Vegetables like spinach, chard, kale, and bok choy are absolutely loaded with helpful anti oxidants. Add these to your diet as much as possible!
Summary
These are just three of many tips to improve memory. For dozens more tips you can use starting today, be sure to access our guide to help you drastically improve memory.
Games To Improve Memory
Memory improvement is a topic that knows no age boundaries. While it’s of particular interest to those of us who have been around for a while, improving your memory skills is important for anyone. Recently, numerous online and offline games have been developed to help improve memory skills, but are they effective? Let’s find out …
As we age, a certain amount of memory loss is to be expected. Just as we physically decline over time, the same is true with our memory. Over the last several years, the topic has generated a great deal of interest, particularly with our aging society.
Just like any other skills, an exceptional memory is a product of a healthy brain. If you think in terms of physical abilities, you realize there is a certain amount of training required to perform certain skills. For example, to run a 10k race, you need to train and build up your abilities. The same holds true for brain related skills, but the field of brain training is still in its infancy.
Taking Care Of Your Brain
Since your brain is a part of your physical self, it is important to ensure it receives the same care you devote to your muscles, organs, and joints. Fortunately, good health habits represent the common denominator.
Things like getting ample sleep, good nutrition, drinking a lot of water, and consistent exercise are keys to brain health. But what else can we do?
One of the answers can be described with an analogy. If we revisit out running scenario, it’s obvious you need running related workouts to perform at peak efficiency. Simply put, your running muscles need a workout. The exact same concept applies to your brain.
What Are Memory Improvement Games?
Games to improve memory are a fairly recent phenomenon. Many are available online, but others are tried and true brain stiumlators, like crossword puzzles. One thing is certain. If you exercise your brain, in general it will perform better, all things being equal.
Newer brain training games focus on a particular aspect of brain health and training. For example, a popular brain training game tests your reaction time by asking you to match certain images.
For memory improvement, there are games that require you to recall increasingly complex visual or word patterns. This particular game is designed to stretch your abilities and challenge your brain.
Are Games To Improve Memory Effective?
Measurement of memory improvement, while concrete and specific in some instances, can be very subjective. Because you can name all of the United States presidents in order from Washington to Obama doesn’t mean you’ll remember your sisters birthday. The concept is best measured in overall terms and in conjunction with overall mental health.
Brain Games: Improve Memory With Scientifically Designed Games
However, there is no question memory improvement games help stimulate thinking and cognitive ability. An equally underrated aspect of these games is that they are fun! In effect, they provide a challenging, fun workout for your brain which leads to an improved mental state and a sense of accomplishment.
Summary
Memory improvement games, a relatively new development, are primarily focused on overall brain health and mental stimulation. While their specific effect on memory differs from person to person, they are effective in providing a useful brain workout.
Many of these games are available online. We recommend an overall approach of measuring brain fitness and ability before starting, and then following up with skill measurement after a period of participating in games to improve memory. Following this approach will allow you to determine their specific effectiveness for your personal situation.
How To Improve Memory Power
If you are one of the many people who would like to own a crystal clear memory, there are some specific steps you can take. The first is understanding how memory works, and how your brain processes information you need to remember. Let’s take a closer look at what you can do to improve your memory …
Your Auditory System And How It Affects Memory
You are probably aware that all five senses are used in the memory process. You recall what things look like, what they taste like, what they smell like. You also use your sense of touch or feeling, for example to remember the sensation of jumping into a cold swimming pool.
The final sense, hearing, is another name for your brain’s auditory system. Hearing is critical to memory because it processes speech, music, and other sounds into and out of your brain. As a result, improving your auditory system will help you remember more things you hear, like instructions, directions, names, and so on.
In order to sharpen this aspect of your brain, you need to exercise it. Specific computer based training exercises have now become the accepted standard. Typically, they involve a set of activities that target different aspects of listening.
The ultimate goal of computer based auditory skills training is simple. It is designed to help you improve the amount and clarity of information your brain gets from your ears. Like any skill, improvement takes practice, but not simple repetition. Mental skills are much more complex than physical skills, so your brain needs to be trained in several different approaches.
What Type Of Activities Are Involved In Auditory Skills Training?
There is a series of about ten exercises that are used in computer based programs. Some involve distinguishing between different but similar sounds to sharpen your memory of speech. Another focuses on processing sounds faster to aid short term memory, which are normally crucial in daily task completion. Still others target your brain’s ability to remember sounds in order, which help communication and conversational abilities.
Computer based brain training programs designed to improve your memory are administered on a building block approach. The recommended time per day is about fifteen to thirty minutes in order not to overwhelm the participant. All told, a thorough PC based memory skills improvement program will have between thirty and forty hours of training material.
Summary
If you are struggling with common memory skill problems, like not being able to find the word on the tip of your tongue, you will benefit from improving your auditory skills. The best way to do this is to train your brain to process and retain information more effectively. Personal computer based brain training programs help you work on a variety of skills designed to improve your memory skills quickly and efficiently.
Memory Improvement Techniques
If you are looking for some helpful memory improvement techniques, there is some good news. Your memory skills are directly related to the health of your brain, so there are some simple ways you can improve your brain’s health and recapture that razor sharp memory of your youth. Here’s how …
Your Brain And Your Memory
As you might expect, your ability to remember correlates to your brain’s ability to process and recall information. If your brain isn’t functioning properly or is otherwise unhealthy, it stands to reason your memory skills will suffer.
Actually, the brain works in conjunction with your five senses to comprise memory and the ability to remember. Think about each of your five senses and how they relate to memory. The five senses of hearing, tasting, seeing, smelling, and touching all play an important part in memory skills.
For example, let’s consider the sense of smell. You remember what it smells like to be in the midst of an apple orchard in autumn. Similarly, you recall the aroma inside your favorite pizza restaurant, with pizza baking in brick ovens. You recall that familiar new car scent when you drove your last new vehicle off the lot.
Your brain works directly with your senses to process and recall information. But in order for your brain to function properly, it needs to be fit and healthy. Without a doubt, a highly functioning and healthy brain is the very best memory improvement technique.
Here are five tips to help keep your brain healthy:
Tip #1: Add Dark Chocolate To Your Diet
Yes, it is true what they say about dark chocolate. In moderation, it is very good for you. Dark chocolate contains important minerals that help produce dopamine in your brain. Dopamine is a chemical which helps your brain function at full capacity and improves cognitive skills. So go ahead, enjoy that dark chocolate dessert!
Tip #2: Improve Your Listening Skills
A fun way to improve your listening skills is to pick a song you like and try to memorize the lyrics. To do it, listen to the song as many times as needed and then write down the lyrics in one sitting.
The actual practice of listening with a high degree of focus will sharpen your memory skills over time. You will be amazed at how much sharper your memory becomes if you try this with one song a week.
Tip #3: Learn (Or Re-Learn) A Musical Instrument
Admit it, you’ve always wanted to play guitar, right? Mastering a musical instrument sharpens your brain by using hand eye coordination and translating visuals into music. To play a new piece of music, you are required to read notes in a song book, then apply that information with your fingers on the guitar strings.
Any instrument will do because it involves the same concepts. It is no wonder why many musicians are known for their sharp sense of recall.
Tip #4: Play Catch
Yes, with a ball! If you don’t have someone to play catch with, just toss a ball into the air and practice catching it. Why? Because it improves your coordination skills and your ability to focus. Both skills have a positive influence on your brain.
For an advanced skill, try juggling.
Tip #5: Use Your Other Hand
Suppose you are right handed. Try using your left hand to do tasks you normally complete with your dominant hand, like combing your hair or using a fork. Do it until you become proficient, or at least until it doesn’t feel totally awkward.
The reason to do this is to help your brain adapt to changes. Just like the muscles in your body, it is important for your brain to be limber, flexible, and responsive. Any activity that is counter to your normal approach can help your brain process new information, and thereby improve your memory.
Summary
If you improve the overall health of your brain, you will realize far reaching benefits. Enhancing your brain health is one of the very best memory improvement techniques. Follow these five tips for a few months and you will notice a positive difference!
Awaken Your Photographic Memory
