How to improve memory

Member

By knarf
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(15 Ratings)

Why would I want to improve my memory? Better grades, save time by avoiding double trips to pickup forgotten items, and even make more money at work by not forgetting tasks and to-dos.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Dedication

Step 1

Use it or lose it.

The more you use your mind and do activities that require mental exercise, better your memory will be. Read books, do things that make you think. Crossword Puzzles, Logic Puzzles, and Suduko are all excellent ways to improve brain power and ultimately your memory.
Step 2

Put emotion into your memory.

When emotion is attached to something you are trying to remember, your mind will "file" it more permanently. You probably remember emotional sporting events you saw or sad life events more vividly than what you ate last Tuesday.

Verbalizing, visualizing, and orgazining are all techniques that can help. Think aloud, associate a funny image with what you're trying to remember.
Step 3

Your lifestyle can help with your memory.

Foods rich in riboflavin, thiamine, and and B vitamins can help with memory. Even drinking plenty of water can help!

Getting proper amount of sleep (at least 7 hours) can help with memory.
Step 4

Use what you remembered:

Frequent use reinforces a memory, making it easier to recall. After being introduced to someone, use his name in every sentence (or introduce him to another person.) Or having learned some new information, try working it into your conversations.
Step 5

Explain what you are trying to remember.

Trying to teach something you are trying to remember is a good technique to reinforce and repeat the information. Explain to your sister or your parents the history of Boston Tea Party with dates and people involved.