Ways For Improving Your Memory

When we recall information, we have experienced or learned we are performing a mental activity referred to as "memory." Five important areas of the brain are utilized when we form memory. They are the hippocampus, amygdale, cerebral cortex, and neurons. The hippocampus lies deep within the brain. It plays the largest role in storing information as memory.

The amygdale is located near the hippocampus. It takes emotion and marks the memory using the emotion. The outer layer of the brain is the cerebral cortex. Depending on whether the memory process utilizes language, senses, or problem solving, the cerebral cortex stores long term memory in the appropriate zone. Neurons are a communication network within the brain that promotes memory. They become active through brain chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Two Basic Categories of MemoryA simple example of "short term memory" is dialing a phone number that someone just told you. Your mind stores the number for a few seconds or minutes until you dial the phone. An example of "long term memory" is making a specific conscious or unconscious effort to retain information for a purpose, such a test or a certain procedure for a job.

Three Stages of Forming and Maintaining MemoryThe three stages the brain experiences when a person forms memories are Acquisition, Consolidation, and Retrieval.

When a mother complains to her child that they "are not paying attention," the child is probably not focusing. In order for the Acquisition stage to take place, the child must concentrate intently on what his mother is telling him for at least eight seconds. The information enters the child's brain and be escorted along pathways by neurons to the appropriate spot of the brain.

Consolidation occurs after the child has concentrated enough to encode new information. Then, the hippocampus signals the information to be stored as long-term memory in the brain.

Retrieval occurs when the child needs to remember what his mother told him. His brain will then activate the same nerve cells it used to retain the information.

Exercise Your Brain

Just like anything else you try to improve on, the more you practice, the better you get. The same goes for the brain. The more you exercise it, the better processor you become. One easy way to do this is to change your routine in some way. If you always load the dishwasher with your right hand, use your left hand. Another way would be to take a class in something you know very little about. Alternatively, you could follow some new recipes for this week's dinner menu.

Tips to Improve Memory

Stop multitasking! Use the complete eight necessary seconds it takes to encode information into your brain.

If you learn better by listening, record information and listen to it until you remember it.

If you learn visually, look at the information and recite what you want to remember.

When dealing with complex subjects, work to understand the basic concepts rather than focus too much on the details. Be able to tell them to someone in your own words.

"Over learn" information over a period of time rather than trying to squeeze the learning into a short period.

Relate new information to previous knowledge and build on it.

Use words and pictures when taking notes, and write things down in datebooks and calendars.

Set up success in your brain. Tell yourself you want to learn the information and that you can learn the information.

Mnemonic Devices to Help Memory

If you have ever used a visual image, a sentence, or a word to help you remember something, you have used a mnemonic device. People use helpful mnemonic devices every day without even realizing it. For example, if you think of a rose to remember your new neighbor's name as "Rosie," you are using a "visual image." You might also use a sentence such as "Dad made Sally bring raisins," using the first letter of each word to represent the steps in long division; divide, multiply, subtract, bring down, repeat.

Another mnemonic device is the use of acronyms. The organization "MADD," for "Mothers against Drunk Driving,'' is an example of an acronym. Putting information together with rhyming is another method. Some people like to use joke to put information together because they find them easy to remember. Finally, "chunking" is found to be helpful. Grouping long lists of information into smaller, easier to remember categories has proven to be a reliable mnemonic device as well.

Memory Improvement Supplements

These past few years, food supplements have been quite popular because of its capability to improve your overall health and performance, especially memory improvement. These memory improvement supplements are produced using the most naturally - occurring ingredients that has been used by people for various purposes for hundreds and thousands of years. If you want to know what are these memory improvement supplements that would help you boost your memory performance, you have definitely came to the right place. I have just the sufficient amount of information that would get you going. You don't have to go elsewhere, searching for it on wherever you would think of searching it, saving you the headache and the trouble that it might cause you just for searching it yourself. That is indeed true for there are many fraudulent sources on the internet that might give you disastrous results rather than the results that are practically intended for you by the genuine memory improvement supplements and products. So why risk it? We promise that by the time you have finished reading this article, you would have a vivid idea and you would also have various options to choose from to improve your memory. So all you have to do now is no other than: read this freaking article, for God's sake!

let's get down to business. These are the various memory improvement supplements that you could take. Mind you, these are researched and proven supplements, none of these are ineffective so dig in.

1. Gingko Balboa - this is perhaps the most potent supplement when it comes to memory enhancement. It totally helps you maintain normal blood circulation, especially on the brain, allowing seamless memory functions. This is due to the fact that blood is like a car or a taxi inside your veins; it transports stuff, especially oxygen to your brain so proper circulation would help you.
2. Rosemary - no, I'm not talking about your aunt. I'm talking about the very same ingredient that you use for spice in your cooking. These can be widely found on the Mediterranean, much more occurring than grass. The best thing about rosemary (the herb, not your aunt.) is that it directly affects and improves your brain functions. What I mean about direct is that it doesn't do anything else like improving blood circulation and stuff, it directly improves your brain.
3. Green Tea - this is one of the most common supplement and tea drink in the world right now. It has lots of benefits and one of them is, right, you guessed it, memory enhancement. It also cures many different ailments and diseases. Drink this together with black tea and you'll get total health and memory benefits, guaranteed.

There are things that you should consider before you take this memory improvement supplements like junkies. First, you should only trust certain brands because not all suppliers can be trusted; some are spiked with additives to make it appear plenty so better watch out for that.

Memory And Concentration - Improve Them Now

Memory and concentration work together but one does not lead to the other. Memory is the ability to remember information, experiences and people. To concentrate is to direct your mental powers or your efforts towards a particular activity, subject or problem. Once something is stored in our brain, it is not forgotten. There may be difficulty in recalling the vital information. The information might however not have been stored. Just because you cannot remember something does not mean that you have forgotten it. What you have is a temporary failure to remember. But if you think of the millions of things each day that you do remember, you will realize that your memory is really quite astounding.

Why do you forget things? Most often, the frustrating problem of absentmindedness or lack or loss of concentration is to blame; and to solve it, you simply need to clean out the clutter in your life that is causing lapses in memory and train your brain to remember the things you so often forget. The capacity to store, recall and analyze any matter is a mere fraction of what is stored in your small brain. Each time the memory is stored, it becomes stronger and more indelible. Some memories you recall often become most ingrained. To make something easier to recall, you can practice remembering it often (a study technique used by many students). Factors that can impact concentration include the study environment and the structure you have for your study time. Other factors that can impact memory include the way you organize the information, how you use your body in the study process, how you use your brain in the study process and whether you include time for recall.

Depression is a leading cause of memory loss. Depressed people have low brain levels of serotonin and norepinephrine. These are chemicals that normally activate the hippocampus - the memory part of the brain where information is stored and retrieved. Antidepressants relieve depression in the majority of patients: memory, concentration and other cognitive functions usually start to improve quickly.

Some ways to tackle loss of memory are as follows:

- Get plenty of exercise, both physical and mental. Challenge the brain in new and creative ways throughout life. Join a book club, learn to play chess, sudoku etc. or use your right hand instead of your left if you are left-handed.

- Try to stay calm: Worry temporarily impairs your memory. Memories usually "freeze up" under stressful conditions. The harder you try to remember, the worse your memory is. The trick is to relax and refocus your mind - the memory usually returns.

- Stress - People who experience chronic stress due to job issues, family or money worries, etc. often experience memory problems. Stress raises levels of cortisol, but cortisol damages the hippocampus when brain levels remain high due to continuous stress. Stress should be taken seriously or memory problems will continue to worsen. Regular exercise, practicing relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and yoga and spending more time doing pleasurable activities are ideal for reducing stress.

- Lack of sleep (insomnia) increases stress and anxiety, which raise cortisol levels. Depression can cause insomnia, as can stress. Once the underlying condition is relieved, sleep usually improves and memory problems are alleviated.

- Vitamin B12 deficiency accounts for a significant percentage of memory loss cases. The body uses vitamin B12 to produce myelin the sheathing on nerve cells. Low levels of myelin slow the transmission of nerve signals; this impairs memory and other cognitive functions. You need supplementation if levels are low. Since oral vitamin B12 is not effective if the body does not produce enough intrinsic factor, many patients require monthly injections of vitamin B12.

- Diet: Eat nutritive foods; avoid sugar. Nutrients are the fuels that run your memory. Vitamins and minerals are essential for maintaining and improving your memory. You need Vitamin C and Vitamin E as well as omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin B12, Thiamin, Iron, and Vitamin B6.

- Make effective use of cues and reminders like sticky notes or a calendar. Most absentminded errors and memory loss can be overcome by having access to reminders.

- The Switch-word "Reach" - Another way to remember a thing is to use the "Perfect Living" switch-word "Reach". If you are desperately looking for a lost or misplaced item or trying to remember a vital information, just stay relaxed and then say aloud to yourself repeatedly - "Reach" and "Together" Do not think of the meaning of the words as your take your mind off the matter. In a short time, your subconscious mind will lead you to the solution to your problem.

Memory Enhancement Techniques

Memory enhancement requires keeping the mind active in order to improve memory. You will need to provide the brain and body with exercises and supports that is required for optimal functioning. To begin any mind activity that promotes healthy aging you will need to be adequately motivated to be able to begin and sustain the changes you are making. Conscious goal requires continuous reinforcement.

Memory enhancement techniques

The key to retaining a good and healthy memory is to lead a peaceful and calm lifestyle. If you remain calm and composed there is a tendency to forget fewer things. The more untidy the surrounding is, the more stressed they get. Stress causes a person to forget things. The following tips can serve as an effective memory enhancement method:

Get sufficient sleep: Getting sufficient sleep is important to enhance memory. Inadequate amounts of sleep make the brain inactive and can lead to forgetfulness. It is important to get at least 8 hours of sleep a day. Naps during the day also help in this regard.

Eat a proper diet: Eating a healthy and balanced diet has a lot of benefits in improving memory. Foods that contain vitamin B12 are considered to be the best memory enhancers, and hence you must make it a major part in your diet. Apart from that omega-3 fatty acids and foods with high antioxidants are also good for a healthy brain.

Indulge in memory games and puzzles: For a healthy mind you must keep it active using memory games and puzzles. There are many memory games and mind puzzles available that helps in improving a person's memory and retention capabilities. These games also helps keep the mind fresh.

Visualizing things: For some people making a visual picture of an incident or important details about people or places or situations, helps in memorizing and remembering it. Visualization things are beneficial in terms of increasing memory capacity and also recalling things easily in the future.

Repetition: Constant repetition works as a great way to enhance memory. Forgetting names and other things can be avoided if repetition is applied. Repetition re-establishes the piece of information in the brain and thus, makes it easier to recall that information in the future. Writing things down is also effective in remembering facts.

Memory Improvement Techniques - How to Get a Photographic Memory

Have you ever wondered how certain people have a razor sharp photographic memory, while others can't remember what they ate for breakfast? While it is true that a select few people are blessed with an exceptional memory, most people have an average memory at best. But there is a specific path you can take to achieve a photographic memory...

How A Photographic Memory Works

You may have seen demonstrations of a photographic memory, usually on late night television. Typically, a person demonstrates their exceptional memory skills by reciting cards from a deck in perfect order, or some similar feat.

And while it may seem like magic or a trick, it's not. Some people do have photographic memories and it is almost always due to specific training methods. Happily, those training methods are not terribly expensive or time consuming, and are well within reach for just about everyone.

A photographic memory is a function of the brain and how it processes visual information. The brain is able to store images, or even words on a page, and has the ability to recall the information on demand. It is a highly developed skill, but actually, all of us have this exact same skill to a degree.

Our memory is a function of the brain and all five of our senses. We are able to remember and recall information based on images, sounds, taste, feel, and smell. Unfortunately, as it relates to memory, it is not enough to have an acute sense of smell or perfect vision. The brain needs to work in conjunction with the senses to develop memory skills.

How To Achieve A Photographic Memory

In order to acquire a photographic memory, your vision and your brain will need to work together seamlessly. Perfect vision is not required, but rather, a highly proficient brain.

Whether you want a photographic memory or merely improve your memory, you need to train your brain to memorize. There are some simple exercises you can do, like card tricks and crossword puzzles. These activities help stimulate the brain but they are not long term solutions. The reason is because they are helping you with a specific activity versus training your brain to retrieve information on demand.

In order to teach and train your brain to respond on demand, you need to train it, just as you would a muscle. We recommend a brain training program that utilizes a building block approach. After all, retaining information is complex, so a training program should be administered in bite size pieces, as it were.

A typical brain training program is computer bases, usually in DVD format or better yet accessible on demand. Normally, they last about twelve weeks and can be done on your own time at your own pace.

Many aspects of the brain training program will focus on spatial relations and visual recall. The activities are fun and interactive, allowing you to enjoy the training while enhancing your memory skills. For example, you may be asked to identify a series of shapes and then place them in the order you saw them.

Another activity might involve associating shapes with words or shapes with objects, which enhances your ability to process visual images in orderly fashion. As you might imagine, the activities start out relatively simple and then build in complexity as your skill set increases.

Over a three month period, or however long it takes you to complete the training, you will notice a significant improvement in your memory, no matter your age. If you think about it, memory is a skill just like any other skill, like playing the piano or running a marathon. Highly developed skills take practice and training.

So, after completing a brain training program, will you have a photographic memory? Quite possibly, although it will likely require more training and practice. But one thing is for sure. Your ability to recall names, dates, directions, and faces will drastically improve.

Summary

Acquiring a photographic memory is a skill that is a direct result of training your brain to remember images and retrieve them on demand. To do this, consider participating in a brain training program specifically designed to enhance your memory skills. These programs are affordable, self paced, and utilize a building block approach to build your skill set.

New Ways to Improve Your Memory

Everybody has memory problems, especially when we get older. Birthdays and appointments sometimes slip our minds. Sometimes you might find yourself in mid-sentence and suddenly forget what you were going to say. These random acts of forgetfulness are normal and usually just mean that you are tired or stressed. The good news is that some recent research has uncovered some simple strategies that you can use to boost your memory.

• Use Epsom salts in your bath. Epsom salts are loaded with magnesium. Magnesium contains a compound that strenghthens synapses and nerve connections in the brain. By raising the level of magnesium in your bloodstream, you can combat memory loss and enhance your ability to learn. If you can take a bath with epsom salts, the magnesium will get soaked up through your pores, allowing magnesium to enter your system faster than if you took a magnesium supplement.
• Take vitamin B3. According to medical experts at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital, vitamin B3 (also known as niacin) can restore brain function to folks who have had strokes, as well as promote the growth of new blood vessels in the brain. They recommend that you take 14 mg. of magnesium supplements each day or eat beets, brewer's yeast, salmon, tuna or peanuts--all of which are loaded with magnesium.
• Watch a sad movie. In a recent study, researchers found that by making yourself temporarily sad you can become more focused and attentive and can recall past events more clearly. Apparently making yourself sad by, for example, watching a sad movie, gives your brain a memory jolt.
• Chew gum. Recent research by the Japanese suggests that the act of chewing increases heart rate and therefore sends more memory-boosting oxygen to the brain. But, if you do chew gum, make sure that you chew sugarless gum for the sake of your teeth.
• Eat avocados. Avocados contain oleic acid which, during the digestion process, can trigger memory-enhancing signals in the brain, resulting in better long-term memory.

Improve Memory, Concentration and Focus!

Simply put, memory is the mental activity of recalling information that you have learned or experienced. Focus and concentration are the ability to tune in your full attention on a given situation, subject or object. It is important to note that memory and concentration and focus all work hand in hand. To improve memory requires that you first improve concentration and focus. It is imperative that you are first able to focus and concentrate your attention so that you can properly store information in your brain. Only after the information is properly stored can it be retrieved from memory.

Has this ever happened to you? Just moments ago, you were introduced to a few new people. You shook their hands and started a conversation. Now you are standing there, half paying attention to the conversation, trying to remember their names. Or maybe you've lost your keys for the fifth time this week. Or maybe you struggle with your focus and concentration in meetings, have a hard time understanding directions, or have difficulty with focus and concentration when standing over your golf shot.

These situations can happen to anyone at any age. However, if these lapses in memory and concentration seem to happen to you more frequently than you'd like, then you need some help.Does stress help to improve memory and concentration?

The simple answer to that question is yes. Stress actually improves memory and concentration at first, but chronic, long-term stress makes memory and concentration worse.

When you are under stress for a short period of time, you actually improve memory and concentration. Think about a zebra casually eating grass in a field. Then suddenly a lion appears and comes running through the grass, the zebra reacts quickly to get away. The zebra's neurological system surges with chemicals. Some of these chemicals go immediately to the brain and increase the zebra's ability to focus, concentrate and escape the lion.

Unfortunately humans are under constant stress. Our days are full of lions running at us through the field. Our lions come in the form of financial worries, problems at work or with family, or just driving through morning traffic. This constant stress we are under actually damages the part of the brain that is responsible for both short and long-term memory and concentration.

One surefire way to alleviate this problem is by making time in your busy schedule to relax and meditate. Your brain needs some time off from worrying.

The best methods that I know of to improve memory and concentration are the practices of yoga and meditation. The techniques used in yoga and meditation not only improve muscle tone and flexibility but they also have been proven to stimulate the brain and nervous system in ways that can improve memory and concentration.

Some of the best yoga practices for improving memory and concentration and focus are the asana, pranayama, dharana and meditation techniques and positive affirmations.

1) Asana - Yoga Postures: includes using a gazing point (drishti) while performing balancing postures, spine lengthening exercises and inverted postures (like the headstand). Using the drishti improves focus and concentration while the exercises stimulate the nervous system. In Asana practice we focus on our physical body and the breath thereby improving concentration and focus.

2) Pranayama focuses on breathing techniques and mastering the life-force. These not only help with focus and concentration but also help more oxygen reach the brain. In pranayama, the mind is focused on the breath as it flows in and out of the body. Oxygen and pranic (energy) are also increased in the body and brain by the regulation of breath. Thus, pranayama increases focus and concentration as well as nourishes the brain. Pranayama is greatly beneficial in improving memory power. In Pranayama, the psyche of the individual is concentrated on the breath as it courses in and out of the body. Hence, Pranayama modifies concentration and focus in a positive manner as well as nurtures the brain.

3) Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea.Dharana techniques are specifically designed for the mind. It works on focusing concentration and attention rather than letting the mind wander. This kind of focused attention is a form of mind training as it becomes easier to concentrate and remember as you practice more.

Dharana or the practice of focus and concentration affects and reduces the occupied mind. The mind is kept firm at one place instead of letting it wander here and there. This reduces strain on the mind. The mental strength increases. With such habitual focus and concentration, the work is done effectively and efficiently. The daily practice of dharana reduces the wavering attitude of mind and a different kind of mental clarity can be observed throughout the day. Dharana acts upon and cuts down the stress of the preoccupied mind.

4) With Dhyana (meditation) we develop awareness. If you can make the time to take care of yourself by meditating for just 20 minutes a day, know that these efforts can help you to improve memory and concentration. A calm and well rested mind (as opposed to an agitated, overly worked mind) is much more agile and flexible.

Meditation takes dharana even further as it calls for intense mental focus and concentration. During meditation you empty the content of your consciousness completely. Dharana quite specifically is the process of holding the mind to one place, object or idea. Eliminating all extraneous thoughts, basically giving your mind some much needed rest.

Meditation is a maneuver beyond the art of Dharana, calling for even more psychological and intellectual diligence and concentration. The art of meditation either by itself or in alignment with yoga asana and Pranayama clears the mind of unreasonable and superfluous thoughts. Unrestrained thinking eats up mental energy and clouds the mind from interpreting and perceiving things clearly. In Yoga, meditation helps to energize the brain as well as get the mind to focus and concentrate.

5) Self Affirmations: The next key factor to improve memory and concentration is the power of positive thinking. Self-affirmation can stimulate your brain and give you the boost that you need to focus and concentrate better. It has been proven to work.

Saying positive phrases to yourself over and over again will unconsciously help you to convince yourself of its truth. There is no greater power than believing in your self to improve memory and concentration.

To Improved Memory, Concentration and Focus, Namaste

Tony D'Agostino, founder and CEO of Yoga Awakening