Improve Your Memory with Simple Strategies

Memory strategies or ways to improve your memory may seem like very complex procedures, and you may shy away from the whole process, just blaming the gazillion times you have misplaced your keys or forgotten to bring milk on your way home from work on your ‘poor memory’.

However, there are several fairly easy ways to improve your memory provided you have the willingness to do so. If you feel that memory loss is just a side effect of growing older and dismiss it, then memory strategies cannot really help you. However, if you take inspiration from older, wiser people who have very good memory despite being double your age, you can make a conscious effort to improve your memory.

Exercise Mind and Body

One of the simplest memory strategies is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many research studies have shown that people that sleep well and eat a balanced diet have better memory. Those who exercise regularly pump more blood through the body and to the brain and hence have better ability to retain facts and figures. Conversely, people who live a lethargic lifestyle often put their retention ability ‘on hold’ and do not feel they can remember dates and numbers and names so they don’t even try.

Exercising your mind is also a great memory strategy by solving puzzles, playing games, reading and socializing. Sitting in front of the television cannot stimulate your brain as much as a book, a good conversation or a Sudoku puzzle can. If you have mastered a particular game, take it up a notch and go to more advanced levels so as to always challenge your brain and not let it be on rest mode

Associations

One of the most tried and tested memory strategy is to associate facts and figures with important events, pictures or other things so that you remember the association even if you don’t remember the actual event. For instance if you always forget your daughter’s wedding anniversary, associate the day with a holiday. Say she got married the day after Thanksgiving or a week before Easter; try to rely on the association as a memory strategy that will keep you up to date.

Visual Clues

If you want to remember something in the short term and do not have a piece of paper handy, try doing something unusual which when you’ll see that will remind you of the original thing. For instance, if you have to remember to buy eggs on your way home from work, put a piece of candy or rubber band or any odd thing in your wallet. When you open your wallet to take out your train card or pay toll, you’ll remember the eggs by seeing the piece of candy in an unusual place.