How many times have you left the grocery store, only to remember that you forgot to buy cereals? Personally, there have been too many times when I have forgotten the house keys and locked myself out. An impaired memory will make it imperative for you to set a reminder or stick notes on your refrigerator, so that you pay your bills before the due date. Memory slips can be really frustrating, adding to your bag of worries. What was once merely associated as a trait among the octogenarians is now a looming problem affecting people of all ages. If dementia is a problem for the older ones, the young generation is definitely suffering from forgetfulness.
What are the reasons behind a weak memory?
Wondering what could possibly be the reason behind a weak memory power among today’s young generation? It has to be our stressful lives that make us prone to forgetfulness. Moreover, exposure to chemicals, an unhealthy diet, and fewer hours of sleep are some of the significant reasons that hinder the functioning of your memory cells. If you are a student, then forgetfulness can come in your way of academic excellence. Looking for ways to avoid a mishap due to forgetfulness? A few changes in your lifestyle can boost your brain’s cognitive powers. Here’s how:
10 TECHNIQUES TO HAVE A BETTER MEMORY POWER
If you are worried about your failure to remember things, here are some effective ways to enhance your memory power!
1. Meditate
There are very few mental health-related issues that meditation cannot heal. With its relaxing and soothing approach, meditation can help you reduce stress and boost brain power, thus improving your memory skills. A research has shown that meditation helps in increasing the grey cells in the brain. So, try meditation and other relaxation techniques like yoga to improve short-term memory. Doing a relaxing routine every morning can help you boost your working memory and make your life a lot simpler.
2. Exercise
Did you know that regular exercise can improve memory recall? A daily workout regime can improve cognitive abilities. According to proven scientific research, exercise stimulates multiplication of nerve cells, strengthening your ability to remember. When you work out, the nerve cells in your brain release neurotropic factors which promote cognitive learning. So, make sure that you include a healthy mix of Aerobics and light jogging. Even simple steps like taking the stairs and ditching the elevator can help.
3. Maintain a healthy diet
Our busy schedules are the reason behind our unhealthy eating habits. We are so caught up in our work that we often go for across-the-counter foods like chips and cookies. To make sure that our brains function properly, it is imperative that we eat healthily. Maintaining a diet that includes green vegetables can revamp your memory cells. Leafy vegetables like celery, broccoli, and cauliflower contain antioxidants that stimulate the production of new brain cells. Consuming foods that are rich in omega-3fat can work like magic. Fish oil supplements promote brain health. Limit your sugar intake and restrict the amount of saturated fat you consume.
4. Get enough sleep
Lack of proper sleep is one of the primary reasons behind a poor memory. Sleep has an important role to play in memory consolidation, as it helps the short-term memories to be transformed into long-lasting memories. Since you are a youngster, you may not feel the impact of not sleeping enough just immediately. But, sleep deprivation can take a toll on your physical as well as mental health. It can affect your brain’s functioning, and have a negative impact on your memory. A study has shown that employees working at night shift made more errors in their work than the ones who slept for an average duration during the night. So, make sure you get your sleep at night.
5. Practice mindfulness
Practising mindfulness can assist you to focus better and help you to have a better awareness of your surroundings. Unlike meditation, there are no hard and fast methods of practising mindfulness. It is more of a mental habit that you can employ in any situation. Mindfulness can counter stress and help you in improving both concentration and memory. So, make it a point to incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine. Pay more attention and be present in the situation. Concentrate on your breathing and do not let your mind wander.
6. Play brain games
To keep your brain functional, you must keep it active. The easiest way to do that is by playing brain games. Brain games will provide your brain with enough stimuli and keep it active. Games like crossword puzzles and Sudoku can help you rack your brain cells, which in turn can help you boost your memory power. A regular session of memory game can enhance your brain’s plasticity, leading to improved memorisation. There are several online games that you can play to improve your brain’s function. Invest half an hour of your day in such games, and you will see considerable improvements in less than a month. Having said that, do not play the games if they do not seem interesting to you. Doing so might have an opposite impact on your brain. Memory games like word building and Tetris can improve both short-term memory and working memory.
7. Maintain a social life
Lighthearted pastimes like hanging out with friends or enjoying a romantic comedy can work like magic on your memory power and improve your concentration skills. Given the busy schedule of our lives, we barely find time to catch a break. Instead of just fiddling with your phone, I would suggest that you go out and meet your friends. When you are around your friends, your brain relaxes, which in turn helps your memory cells to work better. Relationships stimulate human minds. So, instead of staying indoors and watching a series, call up friends and meet them. An active social life would promote emotional health and aid in brainpower boosting. You can also choose to join a club or work for a cause.
8. Keep a check on your stress level
Stress is the arch nemesis of the brain. Needless to say, it can mess up with your memory and cognitive abilities. Stress has a negative impact on the brain cells and can lead to memory loss. Try not to be hard on yourself and learn to take occasional breaks. Don’t keep things bottled up within you and give vent to your feelings. Share your feelings with a trusted person – it can be your mom or a friend or a sibling.
9. Address health issues
If you feel that you forget too many things, rather than assuming things by surfing the internet, just go and see a doctor. There are many diseases and health disorders that can be the reason behind your weak memory. Conditions like high cholesterol and hypertension, diabetes and hormone imbalance can cause forgetfulness also. So, talk to your doctor and get it treated.
10. Use Mnemonic devices
Mnemonic devices can help in brainpower boosting remarkably. Basically, mnemonics are clues that can help you to associate information with an image or a word. For example, you can use acrostics to remember a sentence by taking the first letter of each word. “Using acronyms like My Very Enthusiastic Mother Just Served Us Noodles to remember the names of the eight planets can help students battle a weak memory too”, says Emily Wilder, an essay writer.
Do you feel that your brain is fogged and you cannot remember things clearly after a point of time? If the answer is yes, then it is time for you to bring little changes in your life to boost your brain’s cognitive power and working memory. Simple changes like waking up early in the morning and meditating can do wonders. Moreover, maintaining healthy sleep and eating habits can also help to improve your memory skills. Follow the suggestions in this post, and I am sure your memory will be better than ever!
About The Author
Marceline Joseph
Marceline Joseph is an online math solver, programmer and an academic writer associated with Tophomeworkhelper.com. Besides being associated with the education and teaching industry, Marceline is a passionate stamp collector and chess player.
