Five Fun Ways to Improve Your Memory
Our memory is one of our most valuable and treasured assets. With more than four million people in the United States alone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, improving and protecting our memory has become a matter of major concern. Here are five fun and easy ways to help you improve the memory you have.
1. Doodling
Doodling may actually improve your memory. In a recent study, researchers in the United Kingdom found a 29 percent improvement in test subject’s recall for those who doodled during the test. As test subjects listened to a recorded message, one group was given material to shade in or doodle, and one group was told to just listen and pay attention. At the end of the recording, all subjects were administered a test. Those subjects who doodled while listening to the recording had better recall of the subject matter. This actually makes a lot of sense. When we are asked to pay attention to something we find boring, we are often distracted and have a tendency to daydream. Doodling is a distraction that does not lessen the focus from the main cognitive task of listening. We can perform both tasks simultaneously without either one suffering.
2. Recharge Your Battery
While we all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, how many of us actually get the recommended six to eight hours per night? By about mid-day, most of us experience a lull in our energy levels which makes it difficult for us to concentrate. A daytime nap as short as six minutes can refresh the mind and increase memory. When you fall asleep, the brain triggers a neurobiological process that remains effective regardless of how long you actually sleep. The boost is received through the mere act of falling asleep. People who take daytime naps have been proven to outperform on memory tests over those who don’t.
3. Brain Food
The importance of a balanced diet is essential to good memory. Foods rich in essential amino acids, omega oils, minerals and vitamins are proven to sharpen memory. Here’s a recipe for brain food that you can mix up and carry with you wherever you go.
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup of dried goji or lycium berries
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
4. Play Games
Just as you stretch and flex the muscles of your body, you must also flex your brain to help it grow stronger. Memory stretching exercises can be fun. Crossword puzzles, Word Search and Sudoku puzzles are fun ways to keep your brain in tip top shape.
5. Remember Your Friends
Staying in touch with friends is a sure way to keep the neurons fired up. It has been proven that socially active older adults have slower declines in memory compared to those who are less socially active. Although an exact reason why social interaction helps bolster memory is unknown, it is believed that an increased sense of meaning and emotional acceptance fosters healthy brain chemistry and activity.
All of the above activities are easy to put into practice. It is never to early to start preventative measures towards memory loss. Our memories are irreplaceable and should be cherished.
Liked it
Denise Kawaii | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I need to get started on this list… I can’t remember anything!
Dee Gold | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I will give this a thumbs up.thanks
AC Hamilton III | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Really great material presented nicely…easy to read…very thoughtful
Erin Cree | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I have become so absent minded lately that I stood waiting to pay for my shopping at the supermarket checkout the other day, and discovered I had only put half my shopping on the conveyor belt. Yes this article is could have been written specially for me.
Kate Smedley | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for a very useful article!
Christine Ramsay | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
These are excellent tips for keeping the brain active and can so easily be carried out. Good work.
Christine
miraj | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
An excellent article,I needed this the most.thanks for sharing.
postpunkpixie | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Oh man I am SO bookmarking this. As a student with the memory capacity of a bent sieve, I really need tips like these.
Fegger | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I want to leave a comment but can’t recall what the poem was about…or was it a picture…if I could only remember how to get to the top of the page–or just “X”-out and come back. Maybe Emma’s right–bookmark this—it might help me work on my memory issues.
papaleng | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I like this one , very informative and excellent tips. bookmark this one.
ML Sheldon | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
This was a very good article.
I didn’t know about the social thing… so I guess I’m in trouble!
Good work.
Betty Carew | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
I really need the information thats in this article Joni thanks so much. Great article.
Darla Smith | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Very helpful tips. Thanks for sharing.
M A Bhanpurwala | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Helpful and informative
Vikram Chhabra | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Of late I have been forgetting things. I should try some of these…:)
rutherfranc | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
very …. mmm … what was that word again? Guess this would be helpful tips.. thanks Joni
Jo Oliver | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Joni,
These are great ideas. I worked as a nurse in a nursing home for five years. I still wonder what would be worse- to have a healthy brain and a body that didnt function OR a mind that didnt function and a healthy body. Either way I know that Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most trying diseases for the patient and the family of the patient.
Great article and ideas!
Juhls | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Wonderful, simple ways to get my brain cells fired up… thanks for sharing, Joni!
THEMADTYPER | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Joni I love your all pieces, I look forward to reading your next piece thats for the comments.
Louie Jerome | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article!
Anne McNew | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
very well presented. nice post here Joni.
Ruby Hawk | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Good pointers to a better memory.
OhSugar | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for sharing this good advice. I doodle, but I will take your advice and try some of the other ways.
xavix | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
oh you are so popular
good article
im back from vacations
take care : )
denus | Mar 1, 2009 | Reply
hehe will try some of these!
Likha | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
My mother has growing signs of Alzheimer’s. This is one I will keep in mind as I age. Thanks.
gianne | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
This is SO important. It’s well written like all of your work. I feel the nurse in you! I’m almost 47….YIKES!!!! I’d better start thinking about thinking more than I do. It IS tragic to see someone lose their intellectual connection to their world.
Bick Parker | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
Fish is good.
marzar1316 | Mar 2, 2009 | Reply
cool beans! I will definitely keep those in mind!
thank you!!!!!
Bo Russo | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Pretty cool Joni,like the part about social activity keeping the neurons flowing,never thought of it that way but it makes sense from a physiological standpoint,biologic as well.
Intrepidus | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I rarely read articles but this time I did! The tittle was too catchy for me to resist. Haha. I do need some memory boost!! Thanks for the tips!
Ruby Hawk | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Hi, Just dropping again to say good luck and happiness.
Tmrobotix | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
Nice article, especially the facts about sleeping made me hopeful, it’s something I’m going to try!
Stephen Pomposello | Apr 25, 2009 | Reply
I gotta try these, nice article. About number 4 – video games count too?
kieran the ROFL face | Jun 17, 2010 | Reply
tried mid day sleep but i feel wierd when i woke up.