Fourteen Tips You Can Use to Improve Your Memory

Memory is our ability to process information; we encode, store and retrieve information by memory. Because memory is so important to our daily functioning, it is important to take steps to guard against memory degeneration.

Levels of Memory:

1) Sensory Memory - This is a very short memory type that can accommodate large amounts of information that may be visual or auditory or other information (depending on which sensory organs are involved).

2) Short Term Memory - This has a limited capacity, both in the duration of retention and amount of information put into "storage". At this stage, information may be processed and passed into long term memory or may be forgotten.

3) Long Term Memory - This memory has unlimited capacity, duration and information storage "space" and the information is stored in an organized manner.

Types of Memory:

1) Procedural Memory - This memory is concerned with learning and skill retention.

2) Semantic Memory - This memory is concerned with facts.

3) Meta Memory - This is concerned with laws and principals.

Episodic Memory - This is concerned with experience and life.

Causes of forgetting:

1) Interference by other information which may be learned earlier or later

2) Anxiety

3) Brain injury or disease

4) Some drugs like narcotics

5) Trauma to the head

6) Emotional and physical stress

7) Psychological state -- such as not having any interest in this subject

Tips that help with memory recall and overall memory strengthening:

1) When you need to retrieve some information, try to place yourself in the same situation that this information was processed. In fact, the retrieval of information is more easily obtained in the same circumstance or place of input.

2) Being in the same mood when the information was processed and being in the retrieval situation is also helpful.

3) Make the information you need to store meaningful.

4) Heighten the information you need to store by linking it to a specific emotional response.

5) Link the information you need to store to images; it is easier for the brain to memorize images.

6) Repeat the information more than one time either through visualizations, auditory input, or through written word.

7) Avoid stressful situations and reduce your anxiety.

8) Avoid alcohol and cigarette smoking.

9) To retain written information, study for short periods with breaks in between.

10) Take Zinc supplements -- this has been found to be helpful.

11) Take a Vitamin B complex.

12) Eating healthful meals with fresh vegetables are recommended during study hours.

13) Meditation and hypnotherapy reduce stress and anxiety and these practices also help to improve your memory.

14) Do some memory exercises: Practice with images, audio stimuli and writing to help you store information you need to retrieve later.

 Dr Tamer Shaban