We certainly grow wiser as we grow older. Nevertheless, the risk of losing our grip on our memory is impending. Our memory is like a diary. It holds our past experiences and choices that define who we are. These experiences guide us as we move forward in life. The memories work like a base for our decision making processes. We may not notice, but it also helps us perform the simplest of our tasks seamlessly.
While ageing is inevitable, letting your memory go fuzzy is optional. There are several ways to keep your memory sharp. These simple tips are helpful for the young and old, for those who tend to forget things or have problem with the process of memorization. Let us take a look at the scientifically proven ways to improve your memory.
If you want to remember things, sleep!
If you are going to give an important presentation, it is very essential that you do not forget the facts and figures when you go onstage. However, we often feel the need to cram the information. Memorizing merely the critical facts and statistics may cause you to forget them after a few hours, because they are stored in your short term memory. It is necessary that whatever you read gets transferred into the long-term memory. Researchers have proved that sleeping for a couple of hours after memorizing the information helps keep it inside your head for a longer period of time.
Play Sudoku
Our mind, like our body, needs workout to stay fit. Sudoku is an excellent exercise for the mind. Playing Sudoku at least thrice a week will keep your brain healthy. It just gets better if you solve a Sudoku puzzle daily. You can start with solving the beginner’s level of Sudoku, and then gradually move to the intermediate level, and subsequently to expert level.
Speak it out to yourself
When there is something very important you cannot afford to forget, this technique will come handy. Speak it out to yourself whatever you want to remember, in a loud and clear voice. You might want to say it several times. This works like a reinforcement. You tend to remember things better when you hear them. You also acquire the power to recall what you just heard yourself saying.
For example, consider this scenario. You have just met someone important and don’t want to forget their name. When they tell you their name, tell yourself “I have to remember their name. I better not forget it”. You can reiterate their name in a very innate manner like, “Hello Christina. It’s nice to meet you.” So, when you say the name, you are actually hinting your mind that this is an important detail you want to keep an account of. Ultimately, you tend to remember such things better.
Be a good observer
Sometimes, we cannot form proper memories because we are just looking and not observing. According to numerous research studies conducted around the world, engaging the brain in memory games enhances mental agility and speed of memory retrieval. Such games train your brain to become habitual observers overtime.
There are several online games based on observation, ‘Unscramble Picture Games’ is one of them. You are given a picture to observe for a few seconds. You try to focus on details, such as placement of objects and position of different people in the picture, and take mental notes. The picture then gets scrambled. You have to put the pieces of the picture in the right order to unscramble it, based on the mental notes you took.
Lastly, we insist that you stop thinking that you have a bad memory. Reiterating negative things to yourself will have a negative effect on your mind’s functions.
