QUICK TIPS FOR A BETTER MEMORY

QUICK TIPS FOR A BETTER MEMORY 

Exam season is round the corner and children quite often resent the idea of studying as they find it difficult to store information for a long time. Certain psychological studies prove that for a good long term memory of any given information, it is necessary to follow the three R's - Read, wRite and Revise. Here are some easy tips one can use to improve your memory.

1. A good night’s sleep can improve your memory

Wondering how to improve your memory? It starts with plenty of rest. Try going to bed 30 minutes earlier than you normally would tonight, and then every following night until you find you’re getting the right amount of sleep you body needs. A large body of evidence supports the role of sleep in consolidating, cementing, and even restoring our memories. That’s why, it is essential for students to go to bed early during exams instead of burning the midnight oil which may lead to stress, headache and a high possibility ‘blanking out’ while writing the paper. 

2. Clear you mind

Before you engage in a task or activity in which you need to remember new information, close your eyes, empty your mind and practise deep breathing for at least 2 minutes. The deep breathing helps clear your mind and lower your stress hormones, both of which, studies find, can enhance your brain’s ability to absorb new information. In fact, you’ll be surprised to know that a good 20 minutes of meditation equals to 2 hours of sleep. Deep breathing releases out mental traffic, making space for new information to seep in.

3. Train your brain to pay attention

When you receive new information you need to remember, tune out everything else and stay actively focused on the facts. Giving a subject your full attention helps it “stick” in your memory. This trick will certainly help you remember the minute details.

4. Create a mental palace

This is a method of memory enhancement which uses information from one’s environment to quickly and efficiently recall information. It’s also known as the ‘Journey method’. Here, while studying, the person associates the sequence of answers or information with the objects placed in their house. Once it’s done, remembering the objects will easily help recall the answers associated with it. You can also try it with events and incidents.

5. Drink coffee

Drink one or two cups of caffeinated coffee a day. Although some parents might prefer not giving their kids coffee, older ones can certainly engage in its influences. Studies find that coffee—more likely, the caffeine it contains—improves alertness and some forms of memory. Population studies even show lower levels of Alzheimer's disease in people who drink coffee.