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.