Techniques for Improving Memory - 3

 

While there are many more activities and exercise that can be used to improve one's memory they are more of a practical nature and can be better demonstrated in one on one interactions, there is one aspect that I would like to talk about. And that is your Food Intake.

What you eat bears a strong resonance to how your Brain behaves. The brain is an organ of your body and so obviously need nutrition and oxygen to function effectively and efficiently.  In fact as much as a fifth of the body's daily calorie intake is consumed by the brain. 

All food is important, however there are certain foods that benefit Brain functioning and specifically memory. There are 2 important and specific nutrients that are supposedly connected to good Brain health, and they are Omega-3 fatty Acids and anti-oxidants. So food rich in these 2 will automatically aid in healthy brain function. So keep a look-out for these 2.

A good source of Omega-3 fatty acids are Oily Fish, Soya beans, Nuts & Seeds.

Anti-oxidants are found in Dark Chocolate, Berries, Nuts & Seeds (again!!),Broccoli and other Leafy vegetables.

So make sure to include these in your diet on a regular basis to ensure optimum Brain health.

Ciao!

*Nuts include - Almonds, Walnuts, Cashew nuts and Peanuts

Seeds include - Flax Seeds, Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds 

Techniques for Improving Memory - 2

Moving onwards....

The next technique to improve memory is - 

3. Mnemonics - This is useful for remembering sequential patterns of any kind. It is usually done by creating a simple word or phrase by using the first letters of a longer or complicated phrase that is difficult to remember or if you need to remember anything in a particular order or pattern. Acronyms are kinds of Mnemonics.

A simple example of this is BODMAS, as under,

You can create your own Mnemonic or Acronym based on your comforts, likes and areas of interest that will help you remember better. A good idea is to also involves a melody to it, especially if you are an auditory learner.

4. Visualization - Another great way to remember information is to visualize as much as possible. Whenever you hear or come across any new information try and create an image of it in your mind and use the association technique that we had mentioned in the previous article. It does not have to be a clear visualization; it can be an abstract one or whatever image the new information creates in your mind. To each his/her own. This is very personal, so it does not need to make sense; as long as you remember!

Ciao!

Techniques for Improving Memory - 1

 

Now that we understand what memory is, let's look at various ways in which you can enhance or boost your memory powers.

There are various ways. Let's talk!

1. Using more senses:

Usually information about anything reaches us through one or more sensory organs. To enhance the information in your memory better, attempt to utilize additional sensory organs to hard wire that information.

e.g. If you are hear something and want to remember it better, there are a few things that you can do. First and foremost, is to write it down, obviously. Ideally, write it down using a pen and diary, not type it. The physical involvement of your hands will serve as an additional enhancer to the memory.  Secondly, say it, as you are writing it down, audibly enough so that you can hear it in your own voice. And lastly look at it in your own handwriting, don't just read but look at the geometrical pattern the word/s make. And then read it again.

Similarly, attempt to use your other sensory organs as well to associate them with certain information or events.

And that's the second way of enhancing memory, which is,

2. Association:

Associate multiple things with each other to create a hook or anchor. You can either create pairs or groups of associations. Names with faces, popular culture, historical references, locations, humor and any area of personal liking for you; are good ideas for creating these associations.

e.g. If you meet someone called Steve, you might create an association with his face and that of Captain America's (Steve Rogers, for the uninitiated) and you'll probably remember his name forever, if you are a Marvel Fan!

There are some more ways... we shall discuss as we progress!

Ciao!!