Ways Improve Your Memory

How Mental Association Can Help Improve Memory

Ways Improve Your Memory - Though memory has been studied throughout history, it is not understood very well. Most people agree that short-term and long-term memory work differently but some researchers believe all memory processes are basically the same. However, injuries and illnesses usually affect only one or the other. Further study may clear up some mysteries of the human brain.

A great way to improve your memory is to focus your attention upon the material that you are attempting to study and memorize. Since attention is a major component of memory, it must be employed to move information from short-term memory into long-term memory. To make sure you give your undivided attention to your study material, remove distractions such as music or television from your study environment.

The best way to improve your memory if you're studying, is to add structure to what you're attempting to learn. Categorizing and taking things one step at a time, will allow you to learn and to retain the knowledge of a previous subject, before you move on to the next. This is undoubtedly the best way to study.

The more difficult the information is, the harder it's going to be to retain, so you have to break down tough information into smaller tidbits. Breaking the whole down into segments and then reassembling them in your mind not only allows you to retain the memory, but it also creates a road map to allow you to recall the memory.

Keep your memory fresh by removing stress. When you are feeling stressed about something it can be harder to pull up memorized data. Find ways to relax yourself before you have to rely on your memory for a task. Meditate for a bit on relaxing thoughts that will allow your brain to process the information you need to access.

In order to improve your memory, it is important that you pay attention. Your mind will never learn how to memorize things if it is distracted by other things. For example, if you are studying or working, do so in a room with no television or other things that could attract you.

Keep your social life active. It is proven that those with an active social life have a better memory. Talk to your friends and family, either in person or over the phone, because it will stimulate your brain. Having an active social life will slow your memory from fading.

If you are trying to remember some body of information, one of the best techniques for doing so is to try to teach it to someone else. Teaching concepts to another person actually improves understanding and recall for both the student and the teacher. Even something as simple as reading out loud to someone else can help too.

The best way to keep your memory sharp is to make sure that you stay mentally active. Physical exercise keeps your body in shape, and mental exercise keeps your mind in shape. Doing crossword puzzles, reading complicated passages, playing board games, or learning a musical instrument can all help you keep your mental edge.

Exercise your brain frequently. Consider activities where you need to improve. Repeating what you already know will lead nowhere and will not create new connections among your brain cells. Break your routines frequently and find new ways of doing your everyday chores. Choose activities which are new, fun and challenging.

When trying to commit information into your long-term memory, make sure you are in a location with zero distractions. It takes real attention to move information from short-term to long-term memory, and a distracting environment can make the task nearly impossible. Steer clear of areas where there are televisions, radios, crowds or lots of visual stimuli.

Teaching others is a great way to keep your memory sharp. If you have a memory that you find you are forgetting, like when your grandson was playing at the park, discuss it with others, remembering as many details as you can. This will make the memory more concrete in your mind, and make it harder to forget.

A great tip that can help you improve your memory is to start limiting how much alcohol you drink. Drinking too much alcohol can destroy many brain cells over time, which can severely impair your cognitive functions, such as memory. Limit your alcohol to only one or two drinks a day.

A great way to improve memory and brain elasticity is to read a large variety of books. Read novels from all eras and places as well as histories, self help books, nonfiction books, and anything else you can find. The different types of information you take in give your brain a workout.

Paying true attention can go a long way when you try and recall things. When new information is presented to you, then picture it in your mind how it's spelled. Another good way to remember someone's name is to ask if there's a variation in the way they spell their name. For instance, ask the person if it's Cathy with a "K" or a "C"? Make a habit to say something including their name and this will help you to remember it later. Attempt to use it several times in a conversation to make an impact and help you remember it in the future.

It's interesting to note that the sensation known as deja vu is widely believed to be caused by the brain sending an event directly to long-term memory. Trauma to the head often erases long-term memory while sparing short-term memory. On the other hand, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease do just the opposite.