How to Increase Memory & Focus
Most people would like to improve their memory and ability to focus. As you become older, the brain often slows down and remembering things isn't as easy as it used to be. If you're a student, focusing on your work and memorizing facts and figures is typically essential for good grades. Since there is a correlation between body and mind, if you keep your heart and body healthy, you can keep your brain healthy.
Instructions
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Get a good night's sleep. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults need an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Sufficient sleep helps keep you healthy and alert, improving your ability to focus. It is also a chance for the brain to "work out" memories, sending some information into the area of the brain that stores long-term memories, for example.
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Eat a well-balanced diet. Certain foods are thought to increase memory and focus, including 1 cup of leafy greens a day, 3 servings of fish per week and 1 cup of berries per day. Drinking coffee can also help increase brain activity and keep you more alert and focused.
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Avoid smoking, which hinders oxygen to the brain, and have your doctor check your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Maintain these at healthy, normal rates, as suggested by your doctor, through medication and/or diet modifications such as lowering salt intake and eating less saturated fat.
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Exercise your body. Regular exercise sends more oxygen to the brain and improves the brain's ability to function well. It also keeps you more alert.
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Exercise your mind. Do crossword puzzles, read and take a college or adult-learning course. Do other things that make your brain work, such as write or brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand.
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Learn what works with you to improve memory. Mnemonic devices, such as acronyms, rhymes and jokes can help you remember the things that you want to remember, such as names and dates. Repetition or relating information to something you're more familiar with may work for you.
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Drink water, which helps get rid of toxins in your body and in general, helps keep your body and mind healthy.
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References
- Photo Credit newspaper puzzles page image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
