Thinking about ways you can have a successfully working brain that retains the maximum amount of knowledge, can be a stressful thing. The thing you have to take into consideration is that the more you know about how to have a strong memory, the more success you should have at it. This article can help you to experience that success.
Avoid cramming all your material into one short study session. Studies show that information is better retained, if you take some time to learn it. You can do this by scheduling short study sessions in the days and weeks, prior to an exam. Cramming everything into one sitting will only prove to be counter productive.
Exercise your brain. Using your memory and other thought provoking functions of your brain daily, will help keep your mind and your memory sharp. Do puzzles, drive a different way to work and memorize something every day. You will see an improvement quickly and less of a decline as time moves on.
To boost your memory, make sure you are getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation can seriously impair memory, causing you to forget even the most basic things in your day to day life. If you regularly have trouble sleeping, you can try natural sleep aids such as melatonin or consider talking to your doctor about prescription sleep medication instead.
It is easier to remember information if you organize the material into related groups, before trying to commit it to memory. Making an outline is another good way to organize the material to be studied. This is similar to how your brain organizes information and will make recall simpler.
One of the best ways to store new information in memory is to relate it to something else that you are already familiar with. Creating a logical link between the new information and something else that you already know will increase your chances of being able to successfully recall that information later. The link you create functions as a trigger to recall the new information.
Using mnemonic devices is an excellent strategy for improving your ability to retain new information for a longer period of time. Think of mnemonic devices for memory in the same way shorthand writing works for writers. Your mind links a specific fact or idea with a well-known word or image. This creates a relationship that makes it easier for you to recall that memory.
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.
Give your full attention and focus on what you are trying to remember. Try to study in a place that is quiet and calm for the best memory retention. Try to actively recall information in order to move it from your short term memory to your long term memory.
When trying to commit something to memory, it is important to maintain low stress levels. This is because stress and anxiety can quickly cause you to lose your concentration. Concentration is necessary for acquiring new information. A good solution is to listen to soothing music. Music can help to keep your stress levels down, by keeping your mind off of the things that cause you to be anxious.
Try to avoid alcohol if you would like to improve your memory. It has been scientifically proven that alcohol kills the cells from the part of the brain that absorbs information. However, most research seems to prove that having one or two glasses of wine a day is okay for the memory.
Try to memorize things in sets of 7. According to studies, the human capacity for Short Term Memory, or (STM) is 7, add or minus 2. This is why humans memorize things best in groups of 7. This is also why, for example, your phone number is seven digits.
Banish self-doubt when it comes to your memory. It is assumed that your memory gets worse as you age. This does not have to always be true. Making the assumption that you will eventually lose your memory can make it a reality. Others may tell you you’re forgetful, but question their intentions and don’t listen to them! Simply extending the belief that you still have a strong memory can short-circuit this phenomenon.
With the tips in this article, you should start to feel less stressed about what you need to do, to have a good memory. The fact that you’re reading this article, shows that you are taking steps in the right path. The next step is to implement these strategies to the best of your ability. When you do that, you should see progress.
