Three Amazing Ways to Boost Your Memory
We have a marvelous capacity to remember, but we must keep stimulating our brain to make a significant impact on how well we remember. One of the ways to stimulate our memory is through practice and rehearsal. This technique helps us to transfer material from short–term to long-term memory, so that it can be recalled readily. Then we must exercise our memory regularly and cross-train our brain to have important information etched into the memory bank (storehouse).
Can we improve our memory? Yes we can. This article will show at least three ways in which we can do so. But to do this, we must we must first understand how our memory works.
Neuroscientists believe that there are two kinds of memory:
(1) Procedural;
(2) Declarative.
Procedural memory involves the storing of skills and habits; Declarative memory involves the storing of facts. The declarative memory can also be called “working memory”, and it is the main focus of this article.
So let us examine this form of memory more closely, so we can hit the target with greater success. Declarative memory is made up of two parts:
(1) Long- term memory (2) short memory; According to the theory (Neuroscience Primer), long-term memory works as a storehouse for materials that have been practiced and rehearsed. Short -term memory on the other hand, can store only a limited amount of information. It also holds this information for the duration of only a few seconds, or probably for a couple of minutes, at the most; then it begins to diminish.
This is where our conscious effort to help our memory begins:
To improve our memory,
(1) We must transfer the material in our short- term memory to the storehouse (the long- term memory).
But just how can we do that? Practice and rehearse material previously learned.
A simple way to practice/rehearse verbal material is to organize it, and place things that are similar into categories, which will make it easy to recall them. For example: You need to purchase five things at the beauty supply store, but didn’t have the material needed to make up a list. You can put your memory to work by forming one category for– hair products: i.e. for the shampoo and hairspray to be purchased; then form another category, – cosmetics: for the face cream, liquid toner, and eye shadow that you also plan to purchase. Now rehearse, mentally: speak out loud to yourself, literally repeating the name of the categories as well as the items there – in. This process allows you to transfer the information from short- term to long-term memory.
But what about the material that you read/study, how can you transfer this to long-term memory readily?
In addition to the afore-mentioned categorizing of the information, there is a technique called visualization: Make up a mental picture of the material as you read. Let us say that you are studying about memory, the very topic of this article. You are reading about procedural and declarative memory and naturally, you want to remember the difference between the two. Using the visualization technique: You must stop and make a mental picture of the brain;
image sourcehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:corpus_callosum.jpg#file
Then, split it into two parts. Visualize the procedural on one side, then, put the declarative on the other side. Now label each part according to how it functions. You can even make up a little jingle such as the following: “proceed with the skill/habit——–and declare the facts/information”. Now, you have just etched in some important facts that will be transferred to your long-term memory; namely: procedural memory involves the storing of skills and habits; and declarative memory involves the storing of facts. Continue this process as you read, stopping at intervals to verbalize and visualize; allowing the material to transfer from short-term to long-term memory (the store-house).
The second way to boost our memory:
(2) We must exercise our memory regularly: It strengthens the BOND between the neurons.
Neuroscientists have found that neurons communicate with each other. When we stimulate a few of them with a single input, -according to the theory; the communication sparks off billions of (synaptic) impulses. To put it simply, these impulses act as messengers along what is called the axon of the neuron.
These messengers travel until they reach a point called the junctions (see the synapse on the bottom, middle dendrite/tentacle). At the junctions, there are bulb-like projections filled with neurotransmitters /chemicals. These chemicals take the message across the gap between the neurons, since they do not actually touch each other. The chemicals pull the neurons close together; by forming a bridge. Then through a complex system of keys and locks, they open and close the way for relaying the message from neuron to neuron. So the more often we recall information learned, the more frequent the pulling process occurs, and this strengthens the bond between the neurons. This idea can be illustrated further if we compare the mind to a muscle. Exercise helps to build and strengthen muscles, and we can strengthen our memory in the same way through regular exercise.
The third way to boost our memory:
(3) We must help to cross train our brain: It strengthens the NEUROGICAL CONNECTIONS:
It is believed that in the process called memory, the brain uses one hundred billion neurons. But the network formed by these 100 billion neurons is about ten thousand times greater (see the vastness of the dendrites/ tentacles in the image).
If we do the math here, we are talking about one hundred billion multiply by ten thousand. But, never should we take the vastness of this network for granted. To maintain this network connection, a neuron has to be used. Otherwise, it withers and cuts itself off from the network. Even though it may not be completely dead in the strictest sense of the expression, the ability to remember becomes harder under the condition, when more and more neurons disassociate themselves through the lack of use.
Lack of use: not necesarily old age may lead to Poor memory
Never should we excuse ourselves, nor put the blame on old age if our memory does not serve us well. The result of much research reveals that remembering what we learn at a very high level can go on well into our sixties; and in many cases into our eighties. One example of this is seen in the case of Vladimir Horrowitz. On his eightieth birthday, he appeared in concert in the Carnegie Hall auditorium playing from memory, a repertoire consisting of some of the most advanced pieces in piano literature. Although this may not be the everyday case, it still shows that the human memory is prodigious. But we must help it to stay in tact and possible expand itself through frequent use, exercise and cross-training.
Some of the ways in which we can cross train our brain:
Activities such as learning to play chess, learning to play a musical instrument, learning to play bridge, poetry /creative writing, reading and analyzing novels, solving puzzle, etc. can certainly help us to do so, and by giving the brain ample exposure to a variety of intellectual stimuli, we allow our memory to expand. See articles
Do Kids Who Study Music Really do Better in School and in Life?
Parenting: Meeting the Challenges With Greater Success.
www.gomestic.com OR at tinyurl.com/7vk8zk
Cross training the brain also has an added advantage.
It promotes creativity.
When we look at one of Montet’s paintings, or one of Van Gogh’s for that matter, our brain stores bits and pieces of the picture and allows us to recall it to memory later, and use it to make comparison with the work of other artists. This kind of cross comparison stirs reasoning, and imagination, which may ultimately lead us to look at these paintings in new perspectives; and sparks off the creative process.
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44 Responses to “Three Amazing Ways to Boost Your Memory”
On February 10, 2009 at 5:17 am
Well said for me. I miss my professor in college.
On February 10, 2009 at 5:56 am
Thanks… I really really need this.
On February 10, 2009 at 5:58 am
A very interesting article. I am in my sixties and have a reasonable memory. I just have problems sometimes in remembering what I came upstairs for. I suppose this is short term memory and something which I haven’t fixed into my memory before doing it. Does that make sense?
Christine
On February 10, 2009 at 7:42 am
Really interesting…I am in my forties, and feel sometimes a bit “foggy”.
On February 10, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Absolutely interesting!
On February 10, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Very interesting article!
On February 10, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I truly liked it ..thanks for sharing. STAY BLESSED
On February 10, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Really interesting info! Thanks for sharing!
On February 10, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Wow, amazing. Its rare that you find something on here that really gets you to to step back and think. I commend you on taking the leap of faith that people would get it. And if they don’t F**K them, they obviously don’t have the brain capacity to comprehend this level of complex thinking, as simple of an idea as it may be. Way to go! I really liked it!
On February 10, 2009 at 11:15 pm
i’m kind a forgetful,lol, that’s why I love these information.thanks and God bless!
On February 10, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Thank you my Triond friends, I’m feeling your support now and I really apperciate it. Have a blessed day.
Monica
On February 10, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Very nice article. I’m always interested in the inner workings of the brain. As they say, a brain is a terrible thing to waste.
On February 11, 2009 at 1:11 am
My memory is so bad I have forgotten what this article said already. lol Only kidding.
Great article.
On February 11, 2009 at 2:10 am
Very nice, important, interesting and informative article. Well done.
On February 11, 2009 at 3:23 am
Very Impressive work!!!! Wow keep up and write on!!!
On February 11, 2009 at 3:26 am
this one is amazing. great post.
On February 11, 2009 at 8:54 am
Thank you for sharing this information. I should exercise my brain more often in order to keep my short and long-term memory. I am starting to be a bit forgetful sometimes. I cannot remember the name of persons who are familiar to me though. I must do my best to enjoy a fairly good memory into my old age. Thanks again for the tips.
On February 11, 2009 at 11:20 am
Excellent! well-written and very helpful article. Must read..great thoughts. Well done and thanks for sharing
On February 11, 2009 at 11:21 am
Great article. The best way to keep the brain working is to use it. I understand that some people may have medical problems but even in those cases therapy is a good exercise
On February 11, 2009 at 11:49 am
I am so fortunate to have friends like you here on Triond. I want to thank you again. I’m also very delighted to hear from Uma, and Alistair again; Welcome back.
Have a pleasant day everyone.
Cheers!
Monica.
On February 11, 2009 at 12:20 pm
A very nice article, so importnant for me… Now a days, I have very poor memory, that sometimes I even forget Triond and writings too
On February 11, 2009 at 3:16 pm
This was well researched.I was familiar with some,but not nearly all of this.I have occasional problems when memory fails me a second before I was going to say something,but it usually returns later.I never thought of “exercising” the brain,this is pretty cool.
On February 11, 2009 at 7:33 pm
A very nice article with lots of vauable information. Well done.
On February 12, 2009 at 3:28 am
this is great, a well researched article with facts that are very informative and helpful. Thanks minica for sharing it.
On February 13, 2009 at 7:21 pm
That was really good. There are also Essential Oil’s you can use and the Meditteranean Diet along with alot of herbs like Curry Powder and other herbs are good for memory. I found your Article informative and very well written. Good work.
On February 14, 2009 at 4:47 pm
An excellent article that that explains the concept of how our memory works. I like it.
Pat.
On February 15, 2009 at 9:24 am
Very interesting indeed! keep it up!
On February 16, 2009 at 3:26 pm
This article is very interesting and helpful. Thank you for sharing it with us. Keep up the good work!
On February 17, 2009 at 6:49 am
Love your work.
On February 18, 2009 at 7:34 pm
This is a very practical piece of info. Nice article.
On February 19, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Great Read!
On February 21, 2009 at 4:45 pm
interesting
On February 22, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Thank you, I honestly do suffer from memory problems!
Cheers,
Rohan Agrawal
On February 28, 2009 at 11:15 am
Smart article! This is very helpful..now if only I can remember everything in it!
On March 5, 2009 at 1:44 am
Excellent! I should give this a try. My memory’s not so good.
On March 6, 2009 at 2:05 am
this is a great article with some really useful advice which I am definitely in need of, thank you!
On March 9, 2009 at 3:47 pm
That was the most important thing that I have learned all day! I am definitely going to practice more often. Especially now that I understand it so much better. I did not know that there are two different kinds of memory. This is very helpful material right here. If one were taking different vitamins to help with memory, the practicing would still be the biggest part of the process, correct? Again, Thank you Monica!!!
On March 10, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Very informative and practical, thanks for sharing.
On March 11, 2009 at 9:11 am
Awesome Article! It’s very interseting and I can definitely relate to it. Practice makes perfect! Using specific excerises and techniques can definitely help you improve your memory. I have discovered personally that excerising , eating a balance diet, and getting a good night sleep has improved my memory on a daily basis.
On March 23, 2009 at 12:02 pm
My Birthday is in a few and I have notice a little forgetfulness. I read a lot of book and I take college classes, so I am hoping this will so the lost. Thank you so much for this well done article.
On April 30, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Thanks for the reminder I used this kind of information when I was at univerrsity but of course these are skills for life.
On May 7, 2009 at 2:28 am
Well Jacqui my non-Trionder friend writing from London, it’s good to hear from you. Thank you for your post.
On June 21, 2009 at 3:22 am
Thanks alot for the informations I really appreciate this!! I hope sooner I can also help to improve others memory…………
On November 3, 2009 at 9:54 am
good post. very informative.
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