How to Jog Your Memory

The busier life becomes, the easier it is to forget names, numbers and important dates. These mnemonic tricks can help you out.

Instructions

People's names

1. Repeat the name when you first hear it: "Nice to meet you, Harold."

2. Think of a relative or friend who has the same name: "This fellow has the same name as Uncle Harry."

3. Make a mental joke about this person's name: "This fellow is quite bald to be named Harry." Keep the joke to yourself, though.

4. Find a melody or rhyme in the name, as both aid memory: "Anne Maureen plays the tambourine."

5. Ask the person to spell the name, if it is unique, to etch it into your memory.

Phone numbers

1. Look for a connection between the numbers and your life (ages, birth dates, number of siblings) to anchor it to your memory. Also see if the numbers resemble a historical date, such as 1492.

2. Find a formula that fits the number. For example, 347-8643 could be "3 plus 4 equals 7, and 1/2 of 8 and 6 are 4 and 3."

3. If you have a phone nearby, examine the keys to see if the phone number spells anything memorable.

4. Sing the number to a familiar tune until you've memorized it.

Birthdays and anniversaries

1. Fill in all important dates on a calendar at the beginning of every year. Hang the calendar in a prominent position and check it on a weekly basis.

2. Set up the reminders available on many e-mail systems so you receive an e-mail message to prompt you on an especially important day.

3. To remember the general time frame of a birthday, imagine the person in a costume appropriate to the birthday month. For example, imagine him or her in a pilgrim outfit if the birthday is in November or in leprechaun attire for a March baby.

4. Use your sense of smell to remember your wedding anniversary. If you got married in May, perhaps the scent of lilacs will remind you of that special day.

Tips & Warnings

• Employ as many senses as possible to fix an item in your memory. Sight and smell are especially effective at anchoring memories.

• Regular exercise, a balanced diet and adequate sleep increase your overall alertness and make it easier to remember things.

• The use of alcohol, drugs or medications can decrease memory performance.