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Improving memory requires us working on our brains. The human brain is a major organ in the body that controls the functions of other organs, metabolic processes, etc. The healthy status of the brain invariably affects how other relevant organs operate.
As we also know that memory is a function of the brain, it also has great impact on how well humans can remember, understand, process thought, etc.
That’s why it is advisable that a healthy lifestyle be encouraged for everyone to achieve a healthy brain, and of course, healthy memory. This is capable of boosting the growth of new neurones through a process called neuroplasticity. The brain centre, known as the hippocampus, has the ability to regenerate all through one’s lifespan (even till the 90s) depending on how well one feeds the brain.
How to Improve Memory
Memory can be improved through activities like exercise, proper diet, and adequate sleep. On the other hand, avoid multitasking. Try learning a new skill, playing brain games, and engaging in mnemonics, which stimulates memory.
Let’s consider the following practical tips to ensure a healthy brain, thereby improving memory.
Eating Right
As it is often said that breakfast plays a major role in the health of all and sundry, it should not be missed for any reason. A balanced diet comprising vegetables, nuts, healthy fat and oil, etc. will definitely give a good result.
Exercising
This gives the brain the power to work at full capacity through the stimulation of nerve cells, strengthening interconnections and protecting against damage.
During exercise, nerve cells produce proteins known as neurotrophic factors. One in particular, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serves to trigger numerous other chemicals that promote neural health, and directly benefits cognitive functions, including learning.
A 2010 study conducted on primates showed that constant exercise not only improved blood flow to the brain but also helped monkeys learn new work two times more than non-exercising monkeys. This study was published in Neuroscience.
Your exercise can give you the best result in improving memory if you include high-intensity interval exercise, strength training and stretching, aside from the regular interspaced movement.
Stop Multitasking
Research also shows that humans need around eight seconds to register a piece of information. So, multitasking such as talking on a phone while doing another thing may hinder or shift concentration away from the less exerted of the two activities. It may also induce forgetfulness.
Conversely, mindfulness helps to stay focused without being distracted. For a student who engages in a reading exercise, for instance, it is possible for him or her to improve comprehension and memory capacity too. Combining reading with another task will instead limit comprehension.
Sleep Well
Sleep is one of the best ways of improving memory. During an uninterrupted good sleep, the brain can relax, refresh and perform better afterwards. The case is different when one does not observe a good sleep culture.
Play Brain Games
Engaging in activities that will keep the brain at an optimal functioning state helps it stay active and strong. This is a great way of improving memory. It can also help counter brain degeneration. There are a number of brain games one can lay hands on, some of which are computer-based. An example is Brain HQ, which allows for improving brain function, as well as being able to monitor progress over time.
Learn a New Skill
This helps concentration, and since learning requires a considerate amount of this, no doubt, the brain too improves.
Try Mnemonic Devices
These are memory tools that enable remembrance or memory, as the case may be. With these, one can recall information or concepts. They also facilitate the organization of information in a particular order, which aid remembrance.
Examples of mnemonic devices include:
Acronyms (CUG: Closed User Group)
Visualizations (imaging an object for recall)
Rhymes (if you need to remember a name, for instance, think “Shirley’s hair is curly)
Chunking is the art of simplifying information into smaller easy-to-recall units or organizing numbers into the format of a phone number.
