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How To Keep Your Memory Sharp As A Tack

Strengthen your cognitive skills and learn valuable tips for increasing your memory capacity. While it may seem that there is nothing you can do to strengthen your memory as you age, there are actually a number of strategies you can adopt. This will ensure that your mind stays sharp, no matter what situation faces you and no matter how long you have lived.


A time-tested way to strengthen your memory is to play memory games. It's similar to how exercise keeps your body in shape. With constant exercise, your brain stays flexible and limber, able to take on the challenges of each day. Games improve your memory and your mind. Examples of good games that boost your memory are crosswords puzzles, brain teasers and word searches.

A simple, but helpful, strategy for remembering things is to write them down. This helps the area of your brain that controls memories by circulating the flow of blood. If you regularly write in diary or fill out a daily planner, you will find that it is easier to remember things more clearly.

If this applies to you, try taking a short break from your work or studies once an hour to give your brain a chance to recharge. That will help your brain absorb and retain the information more easily.

Study the information you are trying to learn in many different locations. The reason for this is to dissociate the information with a specific location, and make it a more basic part of you. This is how the brain stores memories. By learning in different areas, the information more easily slips into the long-term memory.

Try and rid you mind of any excess baggage, particularly that involving negative thoughts, to improve your memory. Many studies show that extra stress on your mind and body can lead to short-term memory loss and forgetfulness. Talk to your doctor about techniques to relieve stress.

Make sure that you get a sufficient amount of sleep. You may not be aware of this, but sleep plays an important role in your memory function. When your brain is suffering from fatigue, your memory will suffer. Sleep longer at night or get some naps to improve your memory.

Memory can be jogged and improved if you try removing yourself from a typical study environment and find a new one. This does two things. First, it refreshes your mind with new surroundings. Second, it increases the effectiveness of your long-term memory. You will jog your brain awake once it notices your location change, and once awake, your brain will be able to more effectively process information into memories.

Get books on memory from a library to learn about this complex mechanism. A lot of books for improving brain function have been written by well known authorities, and they can provide you with some good techniques for remembering.

Exercising on a regular basis will assist in improving your memory. Even jogging or dancing each day for 20 minutes will help.

Try to avoid cramming information. If there is something you must remember, set up study sessions. Trying to take in something new in one sitting very rarely works. Your mind will be overwhelmed, and you will not remember the information for very long. Make sure you have regular study segments to ensure that your brain can remember things.

Continuous learning is key, even if your days as a student are long behind you. When you don't try to learn new things, you aren't exercising the area of your brain which controls memory. Unless you keep your mind sharp, you may find it more difficult to recall information when you need it.

Use day planners and calendars. Buy a day planner and jot things down. Use your schedule not just to jot down upcoming commitments, but also to check daily to make sure you know what's coming up. Having these things written, and referring to them, will help your brain. You don't always have to depend on your memory for everything and your planner will reduce the stress about important dates and times.

One way to more effectively retain information you need to remember is to consciously link the new information to something you know well already. If you associate a short term memory with something you thoroughly know, you will better remember things and even accelerate the process of turning short term to long term memory.

Adapt your diet to meet the nutritional needs of your brain. Healthy fats are essential for the health of your brain. Include foods like fish and walnuts in your diet, and try to avoid trans fats; you can include oils from olives or flax seeds if you would rather use them.

Remember to set up regular study sessions and break new information down into small, manageable chunks. This will make it easier to absorb and recall. Taking breaks and staying consistent helps your mind retain information better. Experts agree that people who employ this method over high intensity cramming will remember much more of what they learned.

Pay attention in order to get a better memory. If you meet someone new, think about how they spell their name, or even ask them. Ask them, "is that Tracy with a I or Y?" You then want to repeat their name, this can help you store it in your brain. Using her name during conversation and linking it mentally to what you talked about will make it easier to remember her name the next time.

Read more than just what is required for you to know. If you know more than just the basics, you will remember information better about a subject. Suppose you are looking up a word that you do not understand. Do not just stop after you have read the definition; take a few minutes to look for examples of the word as it is used in a sentence.

By using information above, you can keep your mind sharp. A good memory has practical occupational and social benefits. By putting this advice to use, you can become more efficient and competent.

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