9 Simple Tips to Improve Your Memory
Today, many people just go online for answers. Why learn if you can look everything up? But to keep a fit mind, here are 9 important tips to train your memory.
In these days of the ubiquitous internet, the largest knowledge bank of mankind, why would you need to have a good memory? But a strong mind isn’t just about being able to recall trivia or data. There are many other things we need to know, like remembering where we put the car keys. Or, what’s the name of that person who said “hi” to me, but I can’t seem to place her anywhere?
Fortunately, there are many great ways to improve our memories and strengthen our minds! Because even for the youngest, sharpest minds, it’s easy to forget things, and we can all train and improve our memory recall. Anyone playing the game of memory with children will be amazed by how well they remember the position of the cards. This remembering ability isn’t always so easy for adults! It’s all a matter of concentration and practice. We’ll show you how to boost your memory!
1. Reduce Stress
In order to be mentally fit, you need to balance your life stresses. When you’re too stressed out, your brain performance also goes downhill. So don’t even try to memorize complicated concepts, or to recall short-term details!
Sometimes just hearing statements like the last three sentences can stress us out even more! How are we supposed to have a “harmonious life” when there are so many deadlines and things that need to be done! We can’t just stop everything to pick up a new meditation skill! But just being conscious of our need for relaxation and self-care is a big step in the right direction.
Especially when everyday life becomes too stressful, we forget to take care of ourselves. We’re too tired to go running or improve our short-term focus through meditation, and would rather hang out on the couch in front of the TV eating processed comfort foods. This might seem to offer a solid mental benefit, and there’s nothing wrong with the occasional Netflix binge, but it doesn’t really relax the body and mind long-term.
Instead, you can boost your sense of recall and improve both your short-term memory and long-term memory by taking care of your body’s most basic physical needs.
2. Do Your Workouts
Exercise is great since it releases endorphins (aka our “happy hormones”) that reduce our feelings of pain. If even remembering to work out can be difficult, schedule in sessions so you can refer to them on your calendar. Your body and brain will thank you later.
3. Eat Healthy Foods
A well-balanced diet has many positive benefits, but did you know they can increase your memory, too? Bananas and nuts are said to help especially with short-term memory and long-term memory. Healthy foods can also help fuel your exercise. So don’t forget to take advantage of this relatively simple way to improve your brain and body performance!
4. Sleep Well
Doctors advise you to sleep a minimum of 8 hours per night – but many people struggle with going to sleep. Whether you have a heavy workload, a little baby, or simply a bad sleeping pattern: There are plenty of ways to improve your sleep.
Relaxation or meditation techniques can be one of them. Be sure you remember to minimize caffeine intake after a certain time in the day, keep your room dark, and turn off screens for better sleep. Your brain and body will thank you!
5. Take Relaxing Breaks
Relaxing is an important part of mental health. Whether you choose meditation or breathing exercises, autogenic training, or relaxation music – take at least 15 minutes per day to relax on purpose. It’s not important when or where you do this – it’s important that you feel better after your little break and calm your mind. It’s a great way to boost both your short-term memory and long-term memory!
Simple, right? Easy? Not exactly. At the very least, when we focus on a healthy lifestyle during a particularly stressful time, we can shift our focus from the problems to ways we can feel better during the midst of them. Plus, all of these healthy benefits might even release chemicals in our brains so we’re better able to think about our favorite memories and create new ones.
6. Improve Your Memory by Minimizing Distractions
The less your thoughts wander, the more your brain can fully concentrate on a task. To work effectively, put away your smartphone. Or simply hang a “Please do not Disturb” sign on the office door. A mental to-do list also distracts us: “I still have to think about doing xyz”.
Make room in your brain by writing down everything important, so you don’t have to memorize anything. Then you don’t have to think about it all the time. One exercise to increase concentration is to consciously focus on only one thing, making use of several senses. Instead of learning vocabulary on the way to work, while watching TV, or on the subway, it’s much more efficient to consciously take time for it. You’ll be better able to recall everything later.
7. Memory Training – Example: Learning Vocabulary
Find a quiet place where you’ll be undisturbed. Then notice the vocabulary on several levels. This technique will make remembering words and concepts easier.
Let’s take the English word “pineapple” as an example.
- Listen to how it’s spoken.
- Look at how it’s written.
- Imagine how a pineapple looks or smells or tastes.
- Write down the word (feel).
8. Mnemonics
Mnemonic devices or mnemonics are terms used to describe the so-called “art of memory”. The aim is to improve storing and retaining information in long-term memory. The aids and methods are many, such as rhymes, schemes, or mnemonic bridges. A well-known one is the loci technique. With this method, we arrange and link specific content in a fabricated structure.
For example, you take something out of everyday life that you know by heart, like the way to work or a certain room in your apartment. Let’s use the way to work. We mentally mark our path with certain points, like the big oak tree, the bus stop, the red house. We anchor these distinctive points in the memory, in sequence, and can now link them to new content.
.Example: Shopping list
I walk out of the house and monkeys are eating bananas while sitting on the garden gate. Flour covers the large oak because it has snowed at night. At the bus stop, someone is milking a cow. The cow nibbles on the red house because it’s made of bread.
We can store memories more easily within such little fantasies than in sterile lists. The more imaginative the better, because we remember concrete, absurd, lively, and colorful things more effectively than things that are abstract, boring, rigid, and drab.
9. Have Fun Improving Your Memory!
These activities help us strengthen our memories, but also to relax and have fun with the process. By reducing stress, improving our lifestyle choices, taking time to relax, and having fun with memory games, we can go a long way to having a sharp mind for years to come.
And you don’t have to do all things alone, either. Working to boost your brain health with friends and family is another great way to improve your brain recall. Do a puzzle with your grandchildren, play the game of memory, or even try ballroom dancing. Even connecting with loved ones on a favorite family app can have great mental benefits. You’ll have fun and stay young.
For more family wellness tips and advice, check out the Mental Health category on FamilyApp.
