Effective Tips for a Better Memory
There are many facets to human intelligence and one of them is memory. The ability to recall information when you need it is an indispensable skill.
Human memory is a fickle subject that researchers have only begun to delve into and understand. However, there is enough known to offer some advice on how to improve your memory.
An interesting thing about memory is that the less you use it, the worse it becomes. There are tips that you can use to ensure that you have a great memory well into your old age including:
Focus Your Attention
First and foremost, if you want a better memory, then you need to pay attention. Whenever you are engaged in a task, you need to give it as much attention as you can.
Focusing your attention on tasks at hand improves the chances of recalling them when you want. You will be able to recall a lot more if you took in more of your environment than you otherwise do.
Focused attention is the key to success in any endeavor and the same goes for recalling information. Meditation is a practice that can substantially help you increase your attention intensity and span. It will take time for you to be able to focus intensely as we live in a world of constant distractions.
Challenge Your Brain
The phrase ‘use it or lose it’ is more pertinent to the human brain than anything else. If you want to improve your memory, you should challenge your brain as often and as much as you can.
There are many activities that require recall such as solving problems, playing games and reading. These activities help develop neural pathways that you use when accessing memories. When you don’t use these pathways, they disintegrate and others are formed.
The best way to challenge your brain is to learn something new. You should engage in a novel activity that is challenging but rewarding. You will certainly develop better memory and become smarter.
Nootropic Supplements
Altering brain chemistry is a practice with a long history of both success and failure. As far as improving memory is concerned, decades of research have gone into developing medicines to help the human brain do just that.
The drugs that help cognitive function and memory are called nootropic supplements. You can read more here to learn about an example of a nootropic supplement. Many people report positive results from taking nootropic supplements.
Exercise
Staying active is vital to our overall health as well as improving your memory. Physical activity helps your brain be sharp in several ways. One of them is increasing oxygen intake in the brain which reduces neurological disorders such as memory loss.
Staying active helps regulate your brain chemistry to ensure it is balanced. It will also reduce mental fatigue which has been shown to have a negative effect on memory.
Physical activity, particularly skillful pursuits, helps with neuroplasticity and developing new neural connections. The more connections you have, the better your memory.
You should ensure that you exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, at least four times a week. Sleeping well afterwards will also make a huge difference.
Diet
We become what we eat and you can eat a diet that either boosts your memory or damages it. There are many elements to a diet that improves your memory.
A healthy diet should include fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole grains and healthy fats. You should avoid saturated oils, sugar and refined carbohydrates. It will benefit your mental and physical health.
Other elements to include in your diet for better memory include green tea and other herbs. You should also include omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to improve brain health from sources like fish, seaweed and walnuts.
Reduce Stress
If there is a single factor that is most detrimental to the health of your brain and body, it is mental stress. It has far reaching consequences that are slowly becoming apparent via research.
Chronic stress releases harmful chemicals in the brain that deplete its vitality in the long run. One of the most impacted elements of brain health in this regard is memory.
There are many techniques out there to reduce stress in your life including yoga, meditation, sound therapy, aromatherapy, massages and acupuncture among others. However, the best and most effective way to reduce stress is to develop a positive attitude and simply laugh as much as you can.
Remember to Thank Me
With the tips above, your memory should be in the best shape it has ever been. The best thing to do is to apply them in unison as the results will be wondrous.
Your life will improve in many ways when you have a better memory. Just remember to thank me for your excellent memory.
