Ah, memory. It is something we rely on every single day as it encodes, stores retains, and recalls information, which is a huge part of our lives, despite the fact it has no known tangible location in our brain (yet). This illusive system is one of our being's very foundations, so when it becomes compromised, so can our sense of self, which can be extremely daunting.
When we think of memory loss or memory issues, we might think of aging, neurological diseases, brain trauma – almost anything with some sort of negative connotation. But truthfully, it is something that can happen to anyone, at any age.
There are many reasons that someone might be struggling with their memory, so it is important to see a professional to make sure there are not any serious underlying causes.
But for those who need to ace that exam, prepare for a quiz, or just want to remember all of the names of your children’s teachers, there are some steps you can take to help you recall information in no time.
For tips on how you can improve your memory, read this piece! (And then read it again!)
Repetition, Repetition, Repetition
Repetition solidifies memories, which is why when you overthink about that time when you waved back to a person who was waving to someone behind you, regularly when you’re trying to get to sleep, is the very reason it is burned into your brain.
Armed with this information, we can use this for good!
One of the most common tips for improving memory is the act of simply re-reading or repeating the information you want to remember. Repeating information strengthens the synapse’s in the brain, which is responsible for recalling anything from your memory. Another excellent tip for this is to write down something you have read or heard. The act of writing helps the information to be stored long-term and not get thrown out in the roughage or lost to other pieces of newly acquired information.
Teach Your Brain Something New
Another way of keeping your brain active, which is vital to improving your memory, is to teach yourself something new. Much like when you try a new exercise, new muscles ache, and when you keep exercising, your muscles become stronger, and this is similar to your brain with memory. Whether you choose a new hobby or a new skill for work, it does not matter! As long as you enjoy your chosen task and engage with it regularly, it is a great option for helping keep your brain healthy and memory strong.
Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep is crucial for all of our bodily functions, and when it comes to memory, this rings especially true. When we achieve deep sleep, our minds do a sort of ‘reboot,' clearing out the information we do not need to make way for the new information we will learn when we wake up. It also helps solidify the memories we do want to keep! We all feel sluggish, slow, and suffer from brain fog when we have not had enough sleep as well because lack of sleep interrupts our brain cell's ability to communicate with each other. So, with both of these factors in mind, make sure not to skimp on your 8 hours a day if you want to keep your memory healthy!
Get Exercising
We all know exercising has many benefits, but did you know that keeping your brain sharp is one of them?
When we exercise, it gets the blood pumping around our bodies and increases the oxygen that travels to our brains, which can have a significant impact in reducing the risk of disorders that can contribute to memory loss or difficulties.
For those who might already be experiencing debilitating memory issues, there are things you can do to improve your quality of life. Exercise is one of them, helping to slow down memory disorders' deterioration. For other ideas and help, contact a specialist company such as Scottsdale memory care, which can help give insight into available options that can help increase the quality of life.
Try Mnemonics
Mnemonics are systems designed to improve memory and are good for remembering larger pieces of information in chunks, by abbreviation, or even by tunes and pictures.
While you might not have heard of this specific term before, there is a good chance you will already be using them in your day-to-day life. For example, an acronym is a type of mnemonic, such as the NBA for the National Basketball Association. Or maybe you have used a rhyme to help you memorize some information you need to know. These are all mnemonics, and there are many different variants that can help you keep information locked in! Just find the one that works best for you and make sure to try different styles to see which ones you prefer, especially as there are different types of learners, which could correlate with which mnemonics that would work well.
Check Your Diet
It is true when we say ‘we are what we eat', and while we will not turn into chips if that is all we eat, it does mean our body can only extract the nutrients that are in chips to fuel its functions. And as you can imagine, the number of nutrients in chips is limited. While your whole body will use all nutrients, there are specific nutrients that can help different parts of our body function better, as they require different amounts of different vitamins. When it comes to the brain, omega fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin D are crucial to brain function, to name a few.
So, what are the best foods to eat to ensure that our brain stays in great condition? Fatty fish is an excellent source of omega fatty acids, so look to add fish such as sardines, salmon, or trout into your diet to give your brain that extra boost. Spices such as turmeric have also been suggested to be great for the brain, as it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. And do not forget fruit either, such as blueberries, which are powerhouses of antioxidants that could help improve communication between brain cells.
