Tips and Techniques in Memory Improvement

If our brains were computers, we could have just upgraded our memory chip by adding an extra one and expanding our hard drive to store more memory. But, the brain is more complex than even the latest computers that we have today. So, thinking of improving our memory requires a lot more effort.

Like physical power, our ability to remember rises when we exercise and improve it with a good diet and also other natural healthy practices. There are a few methods that are possible to do in order to improve our memory and the ability of the brain to retain information. But, for this it is very crucial to understand how our memory functions.

Memory is an extraordinary process of our brain in order to remember information that we have studied or examined. This very simple meaning is odd since it covers complicated functions that incorporates various areas of the brain and serves in rigorous ways.

Memory can be sorted as short term and long term. In short-term memory, the mind stores information for a short period of time that can last for a few minutes. This type of memory is natural and delicate. The brain is trained to discard it fast. The brain can hold at least seven short-term memories. This is an estimate and that is why you normally remember your cell number but you need your credit card when you are shopping online.

On the other hand, the long term memory involves information that needs effort in order to remain in your mind. The information needs to be there for a long-term period because it is important, such as personal information, family details, and work data. Data that you store for a long-term memory requires an effort for you to retain.

The brain is very crucial in helping to remember memories. There are certain parts of the brain which are responsible for the preservation of memory. Among these parts are:

1. Hippocampus – a structure situated deep inside the brain that plays the most important role in processing information as memory.

2. Amygdala – is a part of the brain that is almond-shaped near the hippocampus that processes emotion and helps in the permanent imprinting of memories that includes emotion. It is said that life without the amygdala would be senseless.

3. Cerebral cortex – is the outer layer of the brain that stores most long-term memory in several zones, based on what kind of recalling the data involved such as language, sensory input, problem-solving skills etc.
Our memory can also involve communication among the brain’s complicated network of sensory neurons and brains activated by neurotransmitters.

Memory can be improved by numerous ways such as:

1. Practice – Memory can be improved with regular mind practice. Such exercises include reading, solving puzzles, games and doing logic.

Mnemonics – by using special methods such as mnemonics, you can learn information without any extra effort to learn the entire material; most of the mnemonics are humorous such as acronyms and rhymes. As an example, while remembering the colors of the rainbow in proper order, many people use the mnemonic ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet)

Roman Room System – this method is normally employed in learning a new foreign language. Words can be learnt by visiting a town with common things that are visually available. New nouns can be learnt if you visit the town square and try to be familiarized with the counterpart of common names.

Do remember that exercising and stimulating your brain is the ideal way to keep it healthy and keep your memory sharp. By remembering these tips and utilizing them, you can surely be able to improve your memory.