How well you are able to grasp, retain and remember things depends on how healthy your brain is. Follow the tips given below in order to maintain and enhance the health of your brain, thereby, improving your memory.
Engage in mental as well as physical exercise
While physical exercise will help by increasing the flow of oxygen to your brain, engaging in mental workouts such as solving a Crossword Puzzle or Sudoku will simulate your brain. Make it a point to engage in activities that challenge your brain or teach you something new.
Sleep well
It is during our sleep that memory consolidation takes place i.e. the brain solidifies the connections between neurons. Thus, it becomes essential that we provide adequate rest to both our mind and body. An adult should get at least 7-8 hours of sleep on an average every day.
Balance stress
Stress is our mind and body’s worst enemy. It affects our brain by damaging brain cells. Thus, in order to manage stress, maintain a balance between your work and personal life, set realistic expectations, avoid multi-tasking, take some time-off, practice relaxation techniques and engage in social interaction.
Eat healthy
Just like your body, your brain needs nutrition and energy to function as well. Therefore, what you eat becomes very important. Eat foods rich in Omega-3, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. Cut down the intake of calories and saturated fat, and consume green leafy vegetables instead.
Use mnemonic devices
Mnemonic devices are anything that helps one memorize and recall things in an easier manner. Thus, you can use acronyms, acrostics, rhymes, chunking or method of loci, to aid you in learning and remembering things.
General steps to support learning and memory
- Get organized in your approach
- Pay attention
- Make use of as many senses as possible
- Relate new information to that which you already know
- Try understanding concepts instead of just memorizing stuff
- Rehearse what you learn regularly
