Chicago Home and Lifestyles – Improve your memory
The older I get the worse my memory seems. It is a daily challenge to keep important things in the front of my mind. Recently, I was mortified to find out that I had not only forgotten my son’s wedding anniversary but their 25th! Here are a few ways to strengthen your memory and (maybe) avoid big mistakes like mine:
The 8 second rule. We all find ourselves so busy every day. It sometimes seems we are trying to get a million things done in one day and wind up missing that main thing that is important. Try concentrating on that important thing for 8 seconds. It might not sound long, but time yourself. 8 seconds is the minimum time it takes for a piece of information to go from short term memory into long term memory.
Wait at the doorway. How about when you go into a room and can’t remember what you need? Scientists say the actual act of walking through the doorway can make you go blank! They don’t know why, but don’t walk through the doorway without thinking about why you’re there.
Get a stress ball for work. The act of clenching your fist can significantly improve your ability to recall information. Right handers use your right, and left-handed use your left. Studies show at least 45 seconds can be effective. Exercise in general increases oxygen and alertness.
Get your rest. Of course, sleep is the most important. The processes your brain goes through while sleeping helps you remember information the next day. Sleep consolidates the information into long term memory, getting rid of unnecessary information.
Use different fonts to read. When something is harder or unfamiliar to read, you’re forced to concentrate more, which you might think makes remembering it easier. On the contrary, bold fonts hurt your ability to remember. You predict you can recall bold words easier, so you actually study them less!
Write it down. These days we have stopped writing things down, preferring to do everything on our phone or computer. That is forgetting one of the best memory tricks ever. Writing down something in longhand is one of the best ways to remember it. It doesn’t even matter if you read it back. The act of writing allows you to recall it in a way that touching a keyboard doesn’t.
Keep it quiet. Once you start working, turn off the music. Many people like music while working but it is a distraction as is any other noise. It may seem strange studying in complete silence, but studies say it will pay off in the long run.
Use visualization. Scientists say you can recall a huge number of pieces of information by visualizing. You associate information with something that is similar sounding. It may sound crazy, but science says it works. An example of visualizing is doodling. If a class or meeting is boring, start doodling! The act of drawing helps to keep your brain active. If you just tune out, you will remember less. In studies people listening to a boring phone message while given a doodling task remembered 29% more than those who were just still and listened.
Do you have a trick for better memory?
Kathleen Weaver-Zech and Dean’s Team Chicago
