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Some Simple Tips For Improving Your Memory

Chris Kostopoulos Sep 7, 2012 · 3 min read

Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.

As we get older, we inevitably lose more and more memories. Some people surmise that the new memories push out the old ones. That is not very comforting for someone trying to remember their granddaughter’s first birthday. The following tips can help you keep your memories as sharp and fresh as the day they were formed.

Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage by doubting yourself. A lot of people believe that as someone gets older, their memory starts to wane. However, this isn’t always true. Expecting that your memory will start to go can actually damage your memory. If people around you are questioning the state of your memory, you’ll begin to doubt yourself. Believe in yourself and do not be so sensitive to what other people say.

TIP! To help improve memory function and brain elasticity, try meditation. Not only is meditation great for improving memory, it is also a great stress reliever and an overall health booster.

Work to build a memory tree. First, focus on the big subjects that you are trying to remember. Let the critical details of a subject branch off like limbs. Finally, add less important details to these branches. Organizing the information in this way can really benefit recall speed and accuracy.

It can be extremely agitating to find that you can’t remember something. A tip for aiding your memory is clearing your mind for a minute. Go to an area that is free of distractions, remove any thoughts from your mind, engage in deep breathing, and then try to remember the information you wanted.

You memory can be significantly improved by focusing your attention. When meeting a new person, ask questions that could help you remember them later, such as how their name is spelled or what the origination of the name is. So, if someone’s name is Tracy, ask if it is with a “Y” or an “I”. Then, repeat what you learn to improve the chance that you will remember it. Try using it a few times during the conversation to really make a difference, and you will be sure to remember it later.

TIP! Try to give yourself some breaks, if your are studying for a test. When cramming to study, the brain does not have sufficient time to remember the information.

If you need to retain a great deal of information, you may find it useful to regularly switch up your study locations. This is so you can dissociate information with a certain place so that it can be more basic to you. The more places you study at, the more likely the information will go into your long-term memory storage.

Attempting to remember an idea or statement verbatim is extremely difficult for even the sharpest minds. Instead, it is much easier to restate the idea in a different way with your own words. It can be hard for some to memorize thoughts and words if they don’t understand the meaning.

Mnemonic Device

TIP! Say things out loud. When you learn the name of someone, or something, repeat it aloud to commit it to your memory.

Form memories by associating the information with something else. One way to make associations for important information is to use a mnemonic device. A mnemonic device can make it much simpler to learn new information. Studies show that using a word or term to related to something you want to recall is a very effective approach. Types of mnemonic devices include songs, rhymes or jokes.

It may not be possible to get back memories that have been lost. However, by reinvigorating your mind you can, at least, hold on to all the new memories that you create. Use these tips to make your life more efficient and productive.