Improve Your Memory

Use The Roman Room System To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:22:00.001-07:00

Memory is a special function of our brain in order to recall information that we have learned or observed. This simple meaning is ironic since it covers sophisticated process that incorporates different parts of the brain and serves in rigorous ways.

Our memory can be long term or short term. In short-term memory, your mind stores data for a short period of time, about a few minutes. This kind of memory is delicate and it is just natural. Your brain will soon discard it. It is estimated that the brain can only hold at least seven short-term memories, that’s why you can usually recall your call number but you need your credit card when you are purchasing something.

The Roman Room System or the Method of Loci is a primitive yet effective way of recalling data where its component is not important. For example, it serves as the basis of one of the most effective mnemonic methods used to learn a new language.

To use this system, you should imagine a room that you are familiar with, such as your bedroom, sitting room, dining room, gym, theater. Within these rooms common objects are situated. Associate these images in recalling data you want to remember with the items in the room. To remember data, simply take a stroll around your room in your mind, creating images of known items and their related images.

This technique can be enhanced by going into fine details and keying data to be recalled into smaller objects. Also you can open doors from that room into another room and use the items also. As you see them you can create extensions into your rooms in your mind, and fill them with items that would logically be situated there.

You can use other rooms to store other memory categories of data. There is no need to limit the data to rooms: you could use a town center or a forest and fill it with different images.

The Roman Room System is just one way of associating your concept map of the data in a very easy way. As an example, use your bedroom as a basis for this method. In your bedroom you may be able to see the following items:

Bed, lamp, chair, bookshelf, small bookshelf, DVD player, phone, television, mirror, photo frames, etc.

Use these things to associate to information that you want to recall such as famous scientists, English writers, American poets or elements of the periodic table.

Visualize walking through your bedroom door. Within this picture, someone can pair a picture on it showing a scene or familiar situation where you can associate another data.

The Roman Room system is very similar with the Journey method. It works by associating images and coding information to common things, in this system items in a room. This system is effective for storing lists of unrelated information while the journey method is best for recalling lists or ordered objects.

As with regular human tools of our mind, the more we practice with these tools, the more they will be effective in using them. Without practice and effort, one cannot have a good memory. Even one does not have the time required to develop the quality of memory, most of our techniques are very useful in everyday living.

Use Peg Words To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:21:00.007-07:00

Improving our memory is very important for everyone. As everyone needs to think everyday, memory is very important. It could be used when we want to recall the number of our friend, find the number of our locker number or to prepare for an exam. An improved memory can also give us opportunities and edge in doing our jobs. A sharp memory can also give us security. If you have forgotten what medicine to take and have taken the wrong drug instead, you are in grave danger. However, there are things that you can do such as peg words.

Using peg words to improve your memory or to recall needed information is very useful suppose you need to learn it in a list form.

Maybe you have learned in your past experiences that there are also other techniques which you can use. Such technique is to memorize numbers and transforming them into words that can be imaged and associated easily. This is very effective when you want to remember a number given something else.

As an example, if you want to remember the phone number of your friend Anthony, you can remember his number using peg words. You can’t do this using usual method. For phone numbers, this is not a problem, because we don’t usually see a phone number on a piece and we want to remember whose number it is. But for other things, it will be very useful such as area codes, jersey numbers, etc.

Peg words are very useful in recalling such information. It will help you to remember both the number and a given name. The technique is this: instead of inventing a common word for a number, you can use a specific word every time. When you want to recall something that are only given with numbers, you can remember the specific peg word for the certain number, then you can now recall what name was related with that peg word.

This method is possibly the most effective technique in recalling long and numbered roster. Lists, by the way can be recalled by associating words together in a long link such as this:

Canada – India – Singapore – Belize - Taiwan – El Salvador

For shorter lists, this is normally the most preferable method. You can simply form an animated image in your mind associating the objects, and you have recalled the list quite easily.

Then, what if you have a longer list to memorize? In order to remember the 20th of an item, you need to remember the first nineteen. However, this can take a while. Also, if you cannot recall a word in the middle, the link is broken and you are lost! You can recall the list like this:

1. Canada
2. India
3. singapore
4. Belize
5. Taiwan
6. El Salvador

Now if you want to recall the fourth item, you just need to recall your peg word for the number 4, then recall the country that you have associated with the word.

In this list, the numbers are not that too important, but there may be chances where the number is very essential. As an example, we might recalling the presidents of a country, the bill of right, elements of literature etc. In these cases, the peg words are very valuable.

Use Mnemonics To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:21:00.005-07:00

There are numerous tools that a person can learn in order to improve his or her memory. Improving our memory can help us remember facts accurately and the whole structure of different information.

As with the regular human tools of our mind, the more we practice with these tools, the more we will be effective in using them. Without practice and effort, one cannot have a good memory. Even one does not have the time required to develop the quality of memory, most of our techniques are very useful in everyday living.

One popular tool to improve the memory is mnemonics which are techniques to remember information that are very hard to recall. The general idea in using mnemonics is to instill hard-to-recall-information in a way that they can easily be remembered.

Our brains are very complex that they can encode and interpret sophisticated data such as colors, images, sound, tastes, positions, and language. These stimuli are used to create a visual image of our world and our memories are used to store these images.

Unfortunately, there are numerous information that one should remember today since the boom of information technology and the development of the modern world. While writing is a very good mode for complex discourse, our brains cannot easily document written information accurately.

The best method is to code information using regular images that we can reliably extract information. Since these images are very common, they are easily utilized to recall information that we need.

In using mnemonics, you can use the following categories to help you recall important data:

1. Vivid pleasant images – since brain has the tendency to eliminate negative ideas

2. Colorful images – since our brains have the tendency to recall color

3. Senses – mnemonics can also use sounds, tastes, smell, feelings as well as images

4. Dimension – giving your ideas dimension can make it more vivid and easier to recall. You can also use movements to maintain the flow of memory association

5. Humor and exaggeration– you can have fun while trying to recall data

6. Rhymes – the ears can easily interpret data when they are pleasant

7. Symbols – funny symbols can be associated with an idea quickly and effectively
There are three basic principles in using mnemonics: imagination, location and association. Combining with these principles can strengthen your use of memory techniques.

Imagination is what we use to design and enhance the memory needed to create effective mnemonics. Our imagination is what we use to create memory aids that are effective. The more we use our imagination and see the image, the more it will thoroughly stick to our mind for later use. The image we use in mnemonics can be clear, pleasant, funny, exaggerated or sensual as long as it can help you remember information.

Location can give us two major things: a concrete idea into which we can place data so that it can cling together, that it will not be bundled into other mnemonics. By placing one group of information in a particular location, we can separate it from a similar mnemonic with images of New York for example. We can also build smell, flavors or color of these places into our mnemonics to enhance the location.

Association is a method by which we attribute a data to be remembered such as placing things on top or side by side.

Use Association Techniques To Improve Memory

2010-09-20T18:21:00.003-07:00

Maybe you are a bit doubtful in using association as a memory technique that you have learned from books or online websites. You might not believe that it is important that every time you need to memorize certain information you need to create funny or silly association between two pieces of data. This method is proven effective, and it is also employed by psychologists who are experts in studying human memory. Memory works effectively through association, and we are simply expanding of this information to help us recall things effectively.

Here are some characteristics of memory:

1. Memory is recent

We are more likely to recall things when they have occurred recently than those that happened for quite a long time. There is a great possibility that you recall what you had for breakfast today, but not what you ate two months ago.

2. Memory is clear

There is a great possibility that we recall events that are most clear or those events that leave lasting impressions than events that are ordinary. You can possibly remember what you did on your wedding anniversary, or perhaps the World Trade Center collapse, but not what happened a day before that event unless they are quite striking too.

3. Memory is frequent.

We are able to recall things that we experience often, rather than those we experience very seldom. We are more likely to recall your friend’s name or his phone number if you are really good friends rather than the waist line of Britney Spears unless you are an avid fan.

We can benefit from these characteristics of memory. Or instance, we know that if we say a word or phrase over and over again, we can recall it easily.

What about the clear property of memory? Well, when we need to recall two words such as flower and rake, we might think of using a rake to clean the surroundings of a flower. Or it can also be: if a little boy comes to a table which you are happily eating your meal, carry a rake. He then lifts up and shove the rake right into the vase with a flower! Now which of these two images can help you to remember easily? The second one will be more effective because it is more clear and vivid. The rule of thumb is: the funnier the better.

Most psychologists believe that our brain’s capacity to store information is unlimited. This means that our mind cannot be over filled. New data may, however, meddle with the data retained a long time ago, making these older data more difficult to recall. Top avoid this situation, a person can employ a little organization of information inside his or her mind.

For short-term memory, such as recalling the time for your dental check-up or the name of the priest to contact for your child’s baptism, simply do nothing. This is because we don’t need this kind of information permanently and eventually we can forget them.

For long-term memories, such as recalling trivia quizzes, contact numbers, security policy number etc, you should make some extra effort to go over these things because you need them for permanent retrieval. You can do this several times in a day. Then remember the new data at least once a day for a few weeks. By the end of this period, the objects you recall will be permanently retained in your brain.

By using association techniques, you can be sure that you will have better and more accurate memory. Always remember that you need to provide your brain with the proper exercise and nourishment in order to keep it healthy.

Tips To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:21:00.001-07:00

1. The common human brain is not very good in recalling abstract ideas such as digits and numbers. This is one of the most common things that separate those with photographic memories from those with average memory. The most important thing to remember in order to recall some hard data is to create an association and linkages that shall facilitate memory.

This is why almost anyone with an average brain can also significantly enhance their skills to remember objects using mnemonics. While creating a memory temple, as an example, requires a person to recall more, by relating the things that need to be remembered with other things such as emotions, metal strikes etc. The more you build mental links, the more likely you will be able to retrieve information.

2. There are numerous products available in several health stores or online catalogue that can improve memory. Most of these supplements are actually tutorials that will help you to learn mnemonic techniques while some are fake capsules.

3. One effective technique to remember a person’s name is to search for the person when you are being introduced and say the words: “Nice to meet you, John.”

4. Try to recall the sequence of a deck of standard playing cards. Even though this may seem like a nonsense job, it can also help you to search for more memory techniques that your brain can use.

5. Try a group of items on a table. Study them for at least 30 seconds. Take them all away and write down all the things that you actually recall. Increase the number of objects to increase level. Or get a friend to find the items on the table; this will make the level higher and harder for your brain to recall.

6. Try putting a black ink at the far end of your palm to recall any important object you have in mind. Whenever you spotted the black ink, you will recall what you need.

7. Picture what you have to do as a part of something you see or experience every day. As an example, if you have to take your dog for a checkup, picture your dog in your door every time you walk through or past it. This will keep the idea fresh in your mind.

8. Write any event or idea immediately. If you don’t have a pencil and a paper, one good method you can do is to change the time of your wrist watch, later on you will recall why it is set at the wrong time. Or you can also wear it reversed.

9. Jot down a diary or a journal everyday without fail. Even small events should be documented. This is a good method to ensure that you are not missing anything.

10. Record a telephone message that will remind yourself that you have something important to do.

11. Try to memorize your favorite poem or a song until you can repeat it in your own words easily.

12. If you have noticed that you often forget something at an instant, talk to your doctor immediately. Sometimes, little acts of forgotten tasks can be some signs of diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

13. In purchasing a memory supplement, be very wise. Find out all information that you can about how that program or product works with your brain systems and find for real testimonials.

These are some of the methods on how you can improve your memory. Through these exercises, you can be sure that your brain will be a lot healthier and handle more information that you never thought possible.

Tips And Techniques To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:20:00.007-07:00

If our brains are just computers, we can just add a memory chip so that we can upgrade our memory and expand the hard drive in order for us to store more memory. However, our brain is more complicated than even the most updated computers of the day, so improving our memory would require a lot of effort.

Like muscular power, our ability to recall increases when we exercise and enhance it with a good dietary plan and other natural healthy practices. There are some techniques you can do to enhance your memory and the ability of the brain to retrieve information. However, it is also important to understand how our memory works.

Memory is a special function of our brain in order to recall information that we have learned or observed. This simple meaning is ironic since it covers sophisticated process that incorporates different parts of the brain and serves in rigorous ways.

Our memory can be long term or short term. In a short-term memory, your mind stores data for a short period of time about a few minutes. This kind of memory is delicate and it is just natural. Your brain will soon discard it. It is estimated that the brain can only hold at least seven short-term memories, that’s why you can usually recall your call number but you need your credit card when you are purchasing something online.

Long term memory, on the other hand, involves data that you should make an effort in order to retain it in your mind. You need to hold information for a long-term because they are important such as personal information, family details, and even data you need while working. Some data that you store in a long-term memory needs an effort for you to retain.

The brain is very important in facilitating memory recall. Certain parts of the brain are responsible in retention 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 – this is a part of the brain that is almond-shaped near the hippocampus that processes emotion and aids in the permanent imprinting of memories that includes emotion. They say that life without the amygdala would be sensless.

3. Cerebral cortex – this 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.

There are numerous ways of improving you memory such as:

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

2. Mnemonics – by employing special techniques such as mnemonics, you can easily learn information without making an extra effort to learn the entire material; most of the mnemonics are very funny such as acronyms and rhymes. For example, in memorizing the colors of the rainbow in proper order, most people can use the mnemonic ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet)

3. Roman Room System – this technique is usually employed in learning a new foreign language. You can easily learn words while visiting a town with common things that you can see. You can learn new nouns if you can visit the town square and try to be familiarized with the counterpart of common names.

Exercising and stimulating your brain is the best way to keep it healthy and keep your memory sharp. By remembering these tips and applying it, you can be sure that you will be able to improve your memory.

Techniques Used To Improve Your memory

2010-09-20T18:20:00.005-07:00

As with the regular human tools of our mind, the more we practice with these tools, the more they will be effective in using them. Without practice and effort, one cannot have a good memory. Even one does not have the time required to develop the quality of memory, most of our techniques are very useful in everyday living.

1. Mnemonics

One popular tool to improve the memory is mnemonics which are techniques to remember information that are very hard to recall. The general idea in using mnemonics is to instill hard-to-recall-information in a way that they can easily be remembered.

Our brains are very complex that they can encode and interpret sophisticated data such as colors, images, sound, tastes, positions, and language. These stimuli are used to create a visual image of our world and our memories are used to store these images.

1. Pictures – you can use microphone to recall your friend mike or wind for Wendy. Always use positive images because the brain tends to block unpleasant images

2. Words. You can use words that start with the first letter of each word that can represent the initial of what you want to recall. Musicians usually recall the lines of a staff E, G, B, D, and F by memorizing the words “Every good boy does fine.”

3. Acronyms. These are initials that can create words. Musicians recall the spaces in a treble staff by memorizing the word FACE.

4. Rhymes. Most of us have learned that 30 days hath September, April, June and November.

5. Humor. By giving exaggerated symbols to associate facts and figures can be pleasing to brain coding because it is funny and it will be easier to remember.

2. Roman Room System

Roman Room System – this technique is usually employed in learning a new foreign language. You can easily learn words while visiting a town with common things that you can see. You can learn new nouns if you can visit the town square and try to be familiarized with the counterpart of common names.

3. The Peg Word System

The peg word system is used to help a person to remember a list in a specific sequence. However, before you can do this, you need to memorize a roster list of peg words. Generally, there are two major ways to do this. Take a closer study of these methods first, and then choose which one you want to use. Alternatively you can use a little bit of imagination and use both methods. The first method is very easy that anyone can use it. Just use numbers 0 to 10 and relate rhyming words with each of these digits.

The best method is to recall words for all numbers pegged from 0 to 99 using another system, the number alphabet. This will greatly help you to form a relation without having to recall a laborious array relation with number rhymes. Alternatively, if you can use peg words, you are ensured to get the right number by using consonant and transforming them to numbers. A longer list is more effective because you will avoid excessive recycling, thus your brain will be less likely to be confused.

But, it will take a longer time for you to memorize. However, once you recalled the peg words, you will be benefited by the list permanently, and you don’t need to recall them ever again.

Steps To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:20:00.003-07:00

Wouldn’t it be nice to read a trivia and never forget what it was all about? What if you could never again fail to show up on a birthday of your friends? Unfortunately, a photographic memory is not for everyone. Only very few people have a gift for eidetic memory and the rest of us should use memory techniques such as mnemonics to recall complex information.

Luckily, almost everyone can always improve their memories, and with proper time and exercise most people can enhance their brains’ ability to recall information. Whether you want to win a quiz show or ace your science exam, or simple remember where you parked your car, this article will help you to follow the right track.

1. Motivate yourself that you can have a good memory that can always be improved. Most people got struck in this idea and it seems they find it very difficult that their memory is bad, that they are not good in recalling numbers or names and some important information just slips out of their minds. Scrap these negative thoughts and promise yourself that you will improve your memory. Dedicate yourself to the task and monitor your achievement. Also, it will be very hard to be motivated if you keep on punishing yourself every time you make little progress.

2. Work-out your brain. Regular exercise will keep the brain growing and allowing new nerve networks will greatly help in improving your memory. Through developing a new brain skill such as complicated ones such as speaking a foreign language or learning to play a cello will aid in your goals. You can try to solve some problem puzzles and some games that you can keep your brain active and enhance its functions.

3. Exercise your brain every day. A regular mental workout can enhance blood circulation and efficiency of the body; especially the brain and can help prevent memory loss that is prone for ageing persons. A physical exercise can also help us to be alert and more relaxed, and this will help us healthy processing of information.

4. Reduce stress. Stress is caused by a hormone, called the Cortical. Stress, although does not cause any physical damage to the brain can make proper recall very difficult. After a prolonged stress time, the brain can also be damaged. Stressful events are also recognized by the part of the brain called the hypothalamus which signals the pituitary gland to secret a hormone called ACTH or adrenocorticotropic hormone.

This hormone creates significant change to the adrenaline levels and later cortisol or corticosteroids. These steroids can weaken the blood-brain wall in the skull and can also cause damage to the hippocampus. Hippocampus is known as the memory center of the brain. However, the hippocampus regulates production of the hormone released by the hypothalamus through a complicated process of non-positive brain feedback.

After a series of chronic stress, the brain can be damaged and it will not properly function in controlling the degenerative cortisol and memory can also be harmed. The formation of new neurons or the neuro genesis also happens in the hippocampus and cortisols stop this event. Chronic stress will greatly affect brain health and also the memory. It can also damage the brain so the best thing to do is to learn to relax and control stress. Stress is almost impossible to totally be eliminated from the body but it can also be controlled.

Your brain is a very important part of your body. Always keep in mind that you need to exercise it or stimulate it regularly by following these exercises. Through these exercises, you can be sure that you will have a sharper memory and healthier brain.

Simple Things You Can Do To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:20:00.001-07:00

Aside from practicing your brain, there are simple things that you can employ in order to improve your skill of recalling needed information.

1. Organization. You can write things down in journals, notebooks, or telephone books. Taking down notes on complicated information and organizing it to comprehensive categories can help a lot. You can use words, pictures and words in memorizing information.

2. Involve your senses. Though most of us tend to memorize using our visual sense, you can also associate information through using your sense of smell, touch, taste, feelings and emotions. The physical factor of using your senses helps in imprinting data into your brain.

3. Comprehend complex materials. If you need to memorize complex materials, you should understand it first and transform it into simplest forms of learning. If you can explain it in your own words, then you are successful in learning it.

4. Adapt data learning into your learning style. Learning data depends on your learning style, if you are a visual learner, you can memorize data effectively when you read or if you are an auditory learner, you can memorize well if you employ audio devices.

5. Over learning. You can practice information over and over again until it is associated to your brain. If you are preparing for exams for tomorrow, devote your review time by recalling what you have learned at different intervals. Rehearsal is very effective than cramming. If you have over learned certain information, recalling it will be a second nature for your brain.

6. Associate data to what you have learned. You can relate information what have you learned long ago, whether it is an update or entirely new data.

7. Pay attention. You can never recall an information if you never learned it. Learning is encoding data into your brain and to do this, you need focus. If you are distracted easily, try to understand the information in a serene place that you will not be interrupted.

8. Be motivates. If you really want to memorize and learn, you need a positive attitude. If you keep on telling yourself that you are a person with a bad memory, it will significantly affect your mental motivation.

9. Use mnemonics. Mnemonics are clues that can help us to remember anything through association of the data we want to recall with a symbol, a word or a picture.

The common mnemonic devices are:

1. Pictures – you can use microphone to recall your friend mike or wind for Wendy. Always use positive images because the brain tends to block unpleasant images

2. Words. You can use words that start with the first letter of each word that can represent the initial of what you want to recall. Musicians usually recall the lines of a staff E, G, B, D, and F by memorizing the words “Every good boy does fine.”

3. Acronyms. These are initials that can create words. Musicians recall the spaces in a treble staff by memorizing the word FACE.

4. Rhymes. Most of us have learned that 30 days hath September, April, June and November.

5. Humor. By giving exaggerated symbols to associate facts and figures can be pleasing to brain coding because it is funny and it will be easier to remember.

These are some of the simple ways on how you can improve your memory. Through these methods, you can be sure that you will eventually have a sharper and much better memory.

Practice To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:19:00.002-07:00

An improved memory is very essential if we want to get more out of our lives. If you have a very sharp memory you can pass all exams with flying grades and be at the top of your class. If you are working, you can memorize your whole sales report, present it before the company executives, and expect a promotion and a salary raise. Or if you are in grave danger, you can always call 911, which is very easy to remember so far. But how can we improve our memory and stay focus in living our lives?

Most people have learned different techniques in improving memory that are quite effective, such as imaging pictures and associating them, creating clear or humorous images, transforming numbers to picture words “relating” items in a long series to creates a roster and matching items with peg words to recall numbered lists. These are the most common techniques that you can learn from numerous memory guides and internet websites, though there are some variations in terms and procedures, the basic ideas are very similar.

There is a big possibility that even though you have a certain memory application in mind that cannot be retained using these techniques such as recalling chemical equations for lab. To aid you with this, you can use some tips and techniques in improving your memory. There are techniques that focus on a specific application. There is no such thing as a magic formula in order to recall something. The secret is to simply take note of the techniques and data you have already learned and use them in retaining memory.

When you have learned specific techniques, you can apply them to your everyday life right away to help you recall things better, however if you are really serious about improving your brain’s ability to imprint data in a higher level, maybe you should study more about memory.

But the best method you can do is to practice the piece of material over and over again until you can learn it by heart. You should practice memorization things every day. As an example, if your friend taught you how to drive a car, and you are studying the car manual and you know very well everything there is that you can learn about driving a car, this doesn’t mean that you can drive the car right away and head to the busy road. Of course you already know what you need to do but you have to practice what have you learned.

In the same case, you should keep rehearsing your employed memory techniques. Probably you may still be taking some hard time to image words for objects and you haven’t learned yet what images can work best for you than your friends.

Look around you to find objects that you can recall, such as your friend’s contact number, your favorite guacamole salad recipe, the addresses of your classmates, the vocabulary words in your Spanish class, the few scientific names of birds you have always wanted to know, your credit card number etc. You should definitely go for it!

If you find it difficult, never give up. Just remember that if you keep your attention on something, there is one way or another of achieving it.

Memory Games To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:19:00.000-07:00

Have you had a chance of recalling a number through saying it over and over again until you remember it correctly? This is possible on your active memory; however, after a few hours dialing the phone number, you might have already forgotten it.

This is because the phone number is not retained in our long term memory. While an active memory is reliable for a quick remembering of several bits of information such as contact numbers, it can store only at least seven pieces of data and only for a very short period of time.

In order to remember things for a longer period, you must relate the new data with the data you already know. Retaining information to your long-term memory stores information for longer intervals.

There are numerous techniques that are quite laborious to improve our memory. However, you can also have techniques that are both funny and beneficial. Here you can find several games such as puzzles that can practice your memory.

One way to recall information that you need to retain to your long-term memory is to create a story that associates the particular items or data you need to recall, making them easier to remember. The idea here is that it is easier to recall more data when a fact or data is associated with another idea.

While creating the story, you can also make a strong mental image of what is happening. This aids in associating the information to a picture and concretize it into your long-term memory.

Story-telling is fun while performing with a group. You can rehearse by laying 10 or more things on the floor and try to recall them. Each person in the group takes his or her to add to the story by adding another object.

Once all the objects have been added in the story, you can scrape all of them from the room. Now, see if who can remember most objects. Now tell the story once more as a group, taking it in turn. Your group will definitely remember the whole story thus recalling all the objects.

Another mind-practicing game is the pexeso. This game is a matching pairs like tiles or cards from a group, when one of each group is not visible.

You can play this game with a set of tiles that include pairs of images or symbols. You can do this game using a half a pack of playing cards but then try to remember removing 2 to 4 suits so you can only have 2 aces, 2 queens, 2 jacks etc.

Start by placing out 24 cards but make sure those 24 cards is composed of 12 matched pairs. Once face down, move the cards around so that you will not know where any card is placed.

Turn one card one at a time and look at the number or the picture, and then turn it down again. You can repeat this process until you turn over a tile that matches a tile you turned earlier. Now, find the card’s pair by recalling from earlier where it is placed. When you located a pair, remove them from the set. You can also devise your own games but you should be sure that they are really mind-practicing games such as puzzles and solving problems.

Games like this will exercise your brain and your memory. Through these games, you can expect that your memory will be a lot sharper and also a lot more accurate.

Learn The Stages Of Cognition To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:18:00.007-07:00

The human brain is a complex mass of matter inside your skull that allows you to accept information and process this information by interacting with our environment through learning and action. Mental work-out can improve the brain’s faculties and can usually protect against cognitive decline and other diseases that damages the brain and the memory.

Our brain has the ability to adapt and evolve itself. Even in older people, it can re-grow new neurons. Serious mental decline is generally caused by some diseases, whereas most age-related memory loss are simply caused by idle mind. The rule of thumb is: “use it or lose it.”

It was just recently that brain scientists and psychologist have been able to document how the brain network forms the whole mass of memory. Beginning in the mother’s womb throughout the advanced stages of life, the brain network never stops in expanding to adapt and learn. You can observe the inside of the brain at a cellular degree and you will find out how a mere mass of grey matter works and allow us to learn.

Generally, there are three stages that our brain follows in creating and recalling memories. These stages are:

1. Possession

Data enters the brain through pathways in the neurons in the certain part of the brain. This is the most important part in encoding information into the brain unless you do not focus your mind in the acquired data. The brain will just interpret it for a while and it will be discarded. That is why most teachers or instructors are always keeping an eye on students that are not paying attention.

2. Interpretation

If you have focused well to instill the needed data into your brain, a part of the brain called the hippocampus, will send a signal to store the data for permanent or as a long-term memory. This occurs more easily if it is associated to something that you are familiar with, or if it is striking to your mental or emotional responses.

3. Repossession

When you need to remember a data, your brain will activate the same flow of sequence of the brain cells it used in storing information; the easier it is to recall it along brain cells.

Do you think you have a bad memory? This is totally wrong. Maybe you are just keeping not-so-effective habits and practices when you are taking and processing data. Aside from brain-related diseases or injuries, you can always sharpen your mind and enhance your brain’s ability to recall information.

Our mind, like the body needs to be nourished and practiced as much as possible. The more you exercise your mind, the better you will be able to process and retain data. Regular and sensory stimulation are the basis of a good brain work-out. If you break your habit in a more active method, parts of the brain that were idle can be used now.

This can also involve something as easy as writing with your left hand, which will stimulate brain connections on the body parts that are not actively used. Some brain exercises also force you to use your body parts in peculiar ways, like eating while your eyes are closed. You can also learn a language, play a new game, or create something such as an exotic dish. These things are the most effective methods to keep your neurons working.

Improve Your Memory Through Association

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Most psychologists believe that our brain’s capacity to store information is unlimited. This means that our mind cannot be over filled. New data may, however, meddle with the data retained a long time ago, making these older data more difficult to recall. To avoid this situation, a person can employ a little organization of information inside his or her mind.

Our memory can be long term or short term. In a short-term memory, your mind stores data for a short period of time about a few minutes. This kind of memory is delicate and it is just natural. Your brain will soon discard it. It is estimated that the brain can only hold at least seven short-term memories, that’s why you can usually recall your call number but you need your credit card when you are purchasing something online.

For short-term memory, such as recalling the time for your dental check-up or the name of the priest to contact for your child’s baptism, simply do nothing. This is because we don’t need this kind of information permanently and eventually we can forget them.

For long-term memories, such as recalling trivia quizzes, contact numbers, security policy number etc, you should make some extra effort to go over these things because you need them for permanent retrieval. You can do this several times in a day. Then remember the new data at least once a day for a few weeks. By the end of this period, the objects you recall will be permanently retained in your brain.

Most people have learned different techniques in improving memory that are quite effective such as imaging pictures and associating them, creating clear or humorous pictures, transforming numbers to picture words “relating” items in a long series to creates a roster and matching items with peg words to recall numbered lists. These are the most common techniques that you can learn from numerous memory guides and internet websites, though there are some variations in terms and procedures, the basic ideas are very similar.

There is a big possibility that even though you have a certain memory application in mind that cannot be retained using these techniques such as recalling chemical equations for lab. To aid you with this, you can use some tips and techniques in improving your memory. There are techniques that focus on a specific application. There is no such thing as magic formula in order to recall something. The secret is to simply take note of the techniques and data you have already learned and use them in retaining memory.

The most important thing to remember in order to recall some hard data is to create an association and linkages that shall facilitate memory. This is why almost anyone with an average brain can also significantly enhance their skills to remember objects using mnemonics. While creating a memory temple, as an example, requires a person to recall more, by relating the things that need to be remembered with other things such as emotions, metal strikes etc. The more you build mental links, the more likely you will be able to retrieve information.

Memory is a special function of our brain in order to recall information that we have learned or observed. This simple meaning is ironic since it covers sophisticated process that incorporates different parts of the brain and serves in rigorous ways.

Improve Your Memory And Remember Lists and Long Numbers

2010-09-20T18:18:00.003-07:00

Recalling lists are what many mnemonics are devised for. You can retain almost any data into a mnemonic roster list. You just need a bit of imagination to make necessary relations.

As with long lists, using a mnemonic system, recalling numbers is very simple. There are some approaches, depending on the kinds of numbers you need to recall:

1. Short numbers

One of the easiest, yet effective, methods of recalling short numbers is to use a simple number/rhyme picture related in a story. This technique uses a peg system where information is pegged or combined to a familiar order such as numbers 1 to 10 or 10 to 20 to create peg words. By using this you will recall any facts, as gaps in data are instantly easy clues. It can also help you to remember things such as a list of American Presidents in their right order in office. If you advance in continuing this method, you can use this to code lists of chemical equations in a chemistry class.

A better method is to use a simple peg word system, where, as an example, you can relate numbers from the number/rhyme method into placement organized with the alphabet method.

2. Long numbers

You can recall long digits most easily using the journey system. In its simplest sense, single digits can be stored at each station on the journey when you use the number/rhyme system or the number/image method. In a larger sense, you can enhance the digits stored at each station by using the major system. The number/image method is quite alike to the number/thyme method. It is an easy yet effective method of recalling a roster or a list in the correct order. It also uses the peg word system. This method works by aiding you to create images in your brain, wherein the numbers are symbolized by images forming like the number. You can then relate these objects with the number you want to recall.

By just utilizing the simple methods to work together you can recall 100 digits with just a small effort. You can also use advanced systems, so that you can remember numbers with up to 1000 digits.

3. Contact Numbers

Contact numbers for telephone, or cellular phone can be easily recalled by relating numbers using the number/rhyme methods with locations in either the alphabet method of the journey method. You can then relate these with the image of the person whose number you need to recall.

The Alphabet method is a system that also uses peg words, but is more complex than other techniques. It is a better technique for recalling longer lists of numbers in a correct sequence, in such a way that you can describe if a digits is missing. This method works by relating pictures symbolizing letters of the alphabet with pictures you have in mind for the objects you want to recall.

When you are making images for the letters of the alphabet, make pictures in a phonetic order or a sequence that can possible be pronounce but can be nonsense at all. So the sound if the first syllable of the words is the name of the letter. For example, you can code number wand with the word wand, and use the letter W instead.

Improve Your Memory And Learn A Foreign Language

2010-09-20T18:18:00.001-07:00

Learning a foreign language is a good method that one can use to practice techniques in improving the memory. Learning a new set of vocabulary is often a matter of association of a nonsensical set of syllables with a counterpart in your own language.

Normally, most people have related foreign words by repeating it over and over again. You can improve this laborious way of learning by using two main techniques:

1. Use Mnemonics

This is a very simple method of using the association method. You can use images to link a word or phrases in your own language and its counterpart in the foreign one.

As an example, in learning English-Spanish vocabulary:

English: apple – Spanish: manzana – you can associate the last letter of manzana to the first letter of the word apple

English: olives – Spanish: oliva – just eliminate the last letter and pronounce it as olive

This kind of mnemonics was popularized by Michael Gruneberg as the LinkWord technique. Dr Gruneberg also published language books that aid language students in learning vocabulary sets needed to speak fluently. It is believed that using the LinkWord Technique, you can learn a new vocabulary set in just a day or two according to your needs.

2. The Town Language Mnemonic

This type of mnemonic technique is a combination of the Roman Room System with the Linkword Technique. This technique is based on the fact that the regular vocabulary of a language relates to common things – things that you normally find in a town. In using this technique, choose a place that you know. You can use objects within the town as cues to remember the pictures that relate to the foreign vocabulary.

For example, in learning nouns, you can associate common words to the most relevant locations. You can relate the word for a book with an image in a library. Words for fruits can be associated in a fruit stand. You can also find a market inside the town where you can learn foreign names of vegetables.

In learning adjectives, you can relate common words to a garden or a park. Words such as green, fragrant, dark, large, hot etc can be easily associated to common objects in the park. You can also find a public pool or a pond or even people and describe what you see.

If you want to learn verbs, you can learn it all in a gym or a sports center. Most activities in the sports center can be associated with foreign words for walking, dancing, jumping, swimming etc.

If you are learning a language where gender is important, an effective method is to recall it by dividing into two main categories. In one group you can code data on male gender nouns, while on the other group you can associate information on female gender nouns. If the language has other gender, then associate proper groups. You can associate these divisions with roads, ponds, lakes, rivers. Simply relate the picture with a place in the right group of the town.

Another easy way of remembering foreign words is to memorize the 100 most common words in a language. Just point out the most important words that you need to learn. Also you could show how these words are related into your own language.

How To Use The Number System To Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:17:00.007-07:00

We are now in a world full of numbers such as phone numbers, birthdays, street number, license number, area codes, etc. But without the aid of a special technique, these numbers will be very difficult to recall because they are very difficult to relate. Our brains process information in a visual level, not with digits. It will be easier for us to image a monkey eating a jelly than to picture the third digit of the equivalent of the pi. However, what if we could mentally transform a number into phrases or words that symbolizes a mental image? Well, we can.

We can actually assign each number from 0 to 9 for a consonant letter. Then, when we want to remember number digits, we can convert these digits into letters, insert appropriate vowels and transform it into words. These words can then help you to form a relation much more easily than trying to remember the digits.

For example, when we want to recall that the Bible’s Book is composed of 39 books, and what if 3 and 9 is transformed into M and P. We could then insert a vowel such as A between the consonant to create the word MAP. We could then create an image of a big map in our mind such as Israel, Jordan or Egypt etc or any nice MAP of the Old Testament. After some time, when we need to recall the number books in the Old Testament, we can remember the old places found in the books. MAP. Scrape the vowel A, and then translate the vowels into the digits which is 3 and 9 or 39. Now we had recalled it successfully. This kind of method works because of image associations.

But how can you know that M is represented by 3 and P by 9? It will be easier if you would just remember the following table of consonants and numbers. Once you encoded this data in your mind, it will be beneficial for you forever.

Digit Vowel Mnemonic
0 Z Zero starts with Z
1 T,D T has a single down stroke
2 N N has two down strokes
3 M M has three down strokes
4 R “four” ends in letter R
5 L Roman Numeral for 50 is L
6 J,SH,CH Turned J looks 6
7 K,G (harsh) View K as combined 7
8 F,V Cursive small F has two loops that looks like 8
9 P,B Reversed P is similar to 9

This system is the most common method used by experts in using mnemonics. This method has been maximized so that it will be easier to learn and use. It is interesting to note that the paired letters have been placed in a group because they are similar phonetically such as p and b or t and d.

Here are some proven guidelines if you want to use this system:

• This system is generally phonetic. As an example, the term cough should be visualized as KoF and translate into 7 and 8 or 78. If you want to translate GEM, it should be JEM, for 6 and 3.

• Doubled letters are not accounted. As an example, Batter translates into B, T, and R. the extra T is not counted.

• When you want to create word from consonants, clear nouns usually work effectively, rather than passive verbs.

How To Improve Memory And Remember Peoples’ Name

2010-09-20T18:17:00.005-07:00

In order to remember the name of a certain person, you need to add variation to an existing method that you use to recall information for an exam or to retain the telephone number of your mom. If you are really serious in getting on the top of remembering people’s name and also to improve your memory and increase your brain’s capacity to recall information, you can do the following methods:

1. Face Relation

This method is a slight variation of the Link Method. The Link Method is one of the most popular mnemonic that are employed in improving memory. You can use it by making simple relation between items in a roster or a list, combining them with a clear image containing a certain item. Taking the first picture, images a relation between it and the other object. Then you can move on through a list thinking each object with the next. A variation of this technique is very similar, combining items together with a significant story. The flow of the tale and the emphasis on the picture will give you clue for recalling needed information.

You can observe a person’s face but do not be very obvious that you need to stick your eyeball in front of that person’s face. You should look at a peculiar feature that would let that person stand out from the rest such as forehead, mouth, ears, hair, and waistline, chin or skin complexion. Create a relation with another person you know with a similar name. Also, it could be also related into a rhyme or imagery of the name with that person’s name or distinct character.

2. Rehearsal

This method is a slight variation of the Roman Room System of recalling information. This technique is also known as Method of Loci, which is an ancient yet effective way of recalling data where it is concretized.

To use this method, picture a room that you are familiar with such as a bedroom, office or kitchen, within these rooms are items. Relate images symbolizing the names you want to recall with the objects in that room, imaging a certain object and the related images.

This technique can be effective in helping a person to memorize names by going into a more specific detail and encoding data to remember what you need.

When you are being introduced, ask for that person’s name again. Use this name always and try to recall it over and over again. If it is comfortable with both of you, ask how he or she spell the name or you can also ask for a business card. You should remember that the more you hear or encounter the name, the more it will be recalled by your brain.

Alternatively, after your encounter with the person is over, you can recall the name in your mind for a few times. If you are definitely keen you might also write it down in your notes.

These methods in recalling names are definitely simple and obvious, but they are proven to be very effective. Association with pictures or strange words with a person’s name can be very beneficial. Repetition and association will help you a lot.

It is also important if you keep to practice, patience, and memory improvement employing different techniques.

How To Improve Memory And Recall Lists

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Suppose you need to shop for groceries and you need the following food:

Eggs
Bread
Bacon
Cheese
Milk

How can you remember this list without writing it down in a piece of paper? For short lists of different objects, the most effective method of recalling objects is to associate the words and combine them to create a chain such as:

Eggs-Bread-Bacon-Cheese-Milk

Then, visualize some funny story in your mind so that the items on the list will be linked together. As an example, picture yourself entering the grocery with a bag in your hand. Start with the bag because it is a list for grocery it will be hard to think immediately of eggs. Someone appears from thin air, gave you an egg and disappeared again. Awed, you took the egg and put it in the bag. It cracked and made a horrible mess. This mess is a striking image in your mind that will emphasize the idea of eggs. Then the next person came and handed you some bread, because of the egg mess it is not wise to put the bread in the bag so you just hold it in your hand. You tied it in a string and it swirls while you walk.

Now this story will be quite long, however you should keep in mind that you agree not writing this story on a piece of paper, you are just creating it inside your mind, which is a lot quicker. In fact it is more vivid that some fine details will be very helpful in recalling the list later. The more ways you experience an event such as appearance, smell or shape will help you to remember it vividly.

Now back to the story. From out of nowhere, you spotted bacon on the sidewalk as you are walking and you stepped on it. Now the bacon is so greasy and some of the grease messed up your feet. Next, you also spotted a cheese on the grass, and you also stepped on it. Now you have a grease and cheese slime in your feet. When you are at the store, there is no wash room or water, so you just used milk to clean your feet.

Now, that is a funny story. Have you noticed that we haven’t used the grocery bag at all? If we did, we might find ourselves making similar sequences and it will be very dull. Our story is very funny that you can now stop, look away from this article and think through the whole story again and you can tell it in your own words. You can try it again tomorrow and see if you can still recall the story.

Our grocery list is just easy to remember than longer lists that can go about 50. If you forget a word in the middle of the list, the chain is now broken and the whole sequence will not be good. If you also want to recall the 34th president of the United States- its useful if you memorized the names in proper order of their service, which means that you also have to remember the first 33 presidents.

Also, you can memorize longer lists using the peg word system. This system use peg words such as common terms that are pegged to a number from 0 to 9 to help a person in recalling items on the list.

How To Improve Memory and Ace an Exam

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An improved memory is very important if you want to ace an exam, which can really help you be at the top of your class. Remember that there are different kinds of exam and each needs a proper memory technique so that you can answer the questions or supply the proper answers to a certain exam. Essay exams can be answered in your own words, and sometimes in your own views.

However, essay answers that are based on concrete facts that are evidently from the lessons that you have acquired in your class will be very outstanding in the eye of a teacher. Suppose you need to express your view about the Battle of Waterloo, you can answer this by sharing your opinion and support them with the accurate data that happened in that certain war that would be derived from the track of your own opinion.

In an objective type of exam, however, you need to supply accurate answers, with their correct spelling, usage or order of sequence. Suppose you need to give the colors of the rainbow in order, and you have answered: Red, Yellow Orange, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet, a certain mishap in the correct order will earn you no points. Thus, to solve this problem, you need to devise a certain technique or a mnemonic so that you can laugh after an exam. Some techniques that you can use are the mnemonics, acronyms, roman room system, journey system and the peg words.

A very popular method in concept mapping data for editing is to create a specific or a color coded story or memory map of the information you need to recall. This will greatly help you to observe the whole map of the information and can show you the relation between the pieces of data. A good information map can be very helpful and beneficial mnemonic or memory device.

However, the major flaw in using a concept map is that you can forget the entire label on a certain part of the map. A more effective method is to get the concept map, and break down the information into a numbered list of specific points. You can use this peg-like technique to recall the items on a certain list. Also, you can use the journey technique for longer lists. This technique is a version the roman room technique in organizing ideas and recalling objects.

By relating the objects on a list with a peg system or a color, you can see that you have recalled all the objects grouped by a mnemonic. Supporting details can be related into pictures or sub-mnemonics. This technique can be used using a definite peg system, or at certain marks if you use the roman room system. Also, you can relatively associate the data with the facts recalled.

Recalling all the data needed to ace an exam becomes very simple as reciting a certain mnemonic in your brain. As you do this, you can take note of the recalled data that are necessary to a certain question. Once you have jotted these down, you can use any mnemonics you have crafted, or take note of any related data and associations that can happen to you.

This will ensure that you have all needed information and will help you in an objective or an essay exam.

How Our Brain Can Improve Your Memory?

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Our memory can either be categorized as long term or short term. In short-term memory, your mind stores data for a short period of time, which is about a few minutes. This kind of memory is delicate and it is just natural. Your brain will soon discard it. It is estimated that the brain can only hold at least seven short-term memories, that’s why you can usually recall your call number but you need your credit card when you are purchasing something online.

Long term memory, on the other hand, involves data that you would need effort in order to retain it in your mind. You need to hold information for a long-term period because they are important, such as personal information, family details, and even data you need while working. Some data that you store for long-term memory needs an effort for you to retain.

A very popular method in concept mapping data for editing is to create a specific or a color coded story or memory map of the information you need to recall. This will greatly help you to observe the whole map of the information and can show you the relation between the pieces of data. A good information map can be very helpful and beneficial mnemonic or memory device.

However, the major flaw in using a concept map is that you can forget the entire label on a certain part of the map. A more effective method is to get the concept map, and break down the information into a numbered list of specific points. You can use this peg-like technique to recall the items on a certain list. Also, you can use the journey technique for longer lists. This technique is a version of the roman room technique in organizing ideas and recalling objects.

There are numerous ways of improving you memory such as:

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

Mnemonics – by employing special techniques such as mnemonics, you can easily learn information without making an extra effort to learn the entire material; most of the mnemonics are very funny such as acronyms and rhymes. For example, in memorizing the colors of the rainbow in proper order, most people can use the mnemonic ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet)

Roman Room System – this technique is usually employed in learning a new foreign language. You can easily learn words while visiting a town with common things that you can see. You can learn new nouns if you can visit the town square and try to be familiarized with the counterpart of common names.

In order to remember things for a longer period, you must relate the new data with the data you already know. Retaining information to your long-term memory stores information for longer intervals.

Improving our memory is very important for everyone. As everyone needs to think every day, memory is very important. It could be used when we want to recall the number of our friend, find the number of our locker number or to prepare for an exam. An improved memory can also give us opportunities and edge in doing our jobs. A sharp memory can also give us security.

If you have forgotten what medicine to take and have taken the wrong drug instead, you are in grave danger.

How Can You Improve Your Memory

2010-09-20T18:15:00.005-07:00

Our brain has the ability to adapt and evolve itself. Even in older people, it can re-grow new neurons. Serious mental decline is generally caused by some diseases, whereas most age-related memory loss is simply caused by an idle mind. The rule of thumb is: “use it or lose it.”

It was just recently that brain scientists and psychologist have been able to document how the brain network forms the whole mass of memory. Beginning in the mother’s womb throughout the advanced stages of life, the brain network never stops in expanding to adapt and learn. You can observe the inside of the brain at a cellular degree and you will find out how a mere mass of grey matter works and allow us to learn.

The most important thing to remember in order to recall some hard data is to create an association and linkages that shall facilitate memory. This is why almost anyone with an average brain can also significantly enhance their skills to remember objects using mnemonics. While creating a memory temple, as an example, requires a person to recall more, by relating the things that need to be remembered with other things such as emotions, metal strikes etc.

Unfortunately, there are numerous information that one should remember today since the boom of information technology and the development of the modern world. While writing is a very good mode for complex discourse, our brains cannot easily document written information accurately.

The best method is to code information using regular images that we can reliably extract information. Since these images are very common, they are easily utilized to recall information that we need.

Our imagination is what we use to create memory aids that are effective. The more we use our imagination and see the image, the more it will thoroughly stick to our mind for later use. The image we use in mnemonics can be clear, pleasant, funny, exaggerated or sensual as long as it can help you remember information.

A good memory is essential for everyone. From schooling to the later stage of life, having a sharp memory will give you a lot of benefits. There are some simple things that you can do to improve your memory. Remember that the brain is also composed of brain cells and neurons that need to be nourished with natural nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. If you really want to improve and sharpen your memory, you can do simple healthy habits that are quite easy to memorize.

You have probably heard of the idea that a healthy diet based on healthy foods composed of fruits and vegetables and essential fats can provide a lot of benefits including our brain’s ability to recall information

If our memory works by association, then we can employ active association between two bits of data. As an example, for the bus that you need to catch at 3 PM, you can picture your bus in your mind and notice that it has 4 wheels. Four wheels, 4 PM. Now you have an association. You are now more chance to remember the time after it has instilled in your memory.

The rule of thumb is to be creative and imaginative. You do not have to be a poet every time you want to recall something. Just think of an image in your mind that associates to a certain piece of information.

How Can You Improve Memory?

2010-09-20T18:15:00.003-07:00

We recall things through memory association. Every piece of data in our brain is associated to other pieces of data in a way. For instance, if you have given the word “banana”, what comes into your mind? Maybe something like:

Banana: yellow, elongated, sweet, monkey, fruit

However, it is very unlikely that we might see “banana” and think of “coconut” unless of course if you recall something humorous in which an elephant looks like a banana. If you are asked what is the third letter of the alphabet, chances are you will not know that C = 3, but you could easily stream into A, B, C, and then you can say C. You have used association to get the answer because you already know that A is the first letter of the alphabet, and then you have processed the series of letters in the sequence until you get the right letter.

If there is no possible association of certain things, it will be very difficult to recall the information you need. As an example, suppose you need to recall that the next bus would take off at 4 PM, there is nothing that you can associate the bus that would suggest the number 4. Therefore, the information can be easily forgotten.

If our memory works by association, then we can employ active association between two bits of data. As an example, for the bus that you need to catch at 4 PM, you can picture your bus in your mind and notice that it has 4 wheels. Four wheels, 4 PM. Now you have an association. You now have more chance to remember the time after it has instilled in your memory.

There are times when memory association comes very easily. As an example, if you are introduced to Mr. Brown who lives on a house near the end of the street with a brown roof, the idea of Mr. Brown under the brown roof is pretty easy. And what if you need to try recalling your classroom number for a Sociology class, and it just turns out that it’s the same as your locker number. Another easy association!

When pieces of data are not associated in any way, we should be more creative in relating things to each other. However, it is not too hard. Most people can learn rhymes or acronyms that can help you remember things such as:

- I before E except after C. When it sounds like A as in neighbor and weigh

- ROY G BIV for recalling the colors of the rainbow in proper order

- N-E-W-S (compass directions)

Rhymes and acronyms work because they form an easy-to-remember method of relation between the two things. The rule of thumb is to be creative and imaginative. You do not have to be a poet every time you want to recall something. Just think of an image in your mind that associates to a piece of information.

It could be something humorous or funny so that it would be more memorable. As an example, if you need to recall that the basketball court is in Raisin Street. You can imagine a basketball player baking raisin cookies! Just be creative and rest assured that you will have a sharper memory.

Healthy Habits to Improve Memory

2010-09-20T18:15:00.001-07:00

A good memory is essential for everyone. From schooling to the later stage of life, having a sharp memory will give a lot of benefits. There are some simple things that you can do to improve your memory. Remember that the brain is also composed of brain cells and neurons that need to be nourished with natural nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. If you really want to improve and sharpen your memory, you can do simple healthy habits that are quite easy to memorize.

Here are the healthy habits that can always enhance your brain’s ability to process and remember needed information:

1. Managing stress can reduce brain damage because it lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

2. Regular exercise to increase oxygen to the brain, reduce the risk for health disorders that can cause loss of memory and enhance effects of brain chemicals that protect brain cells.

3. Regular sleep for memory empowerment and proper concentration

4. Not smoking because carcinogens increase the risk of vascular diseases that can also lead to stroke and oxygen deficiency in the brain.

You have probably been bombarded of the idea that a healthy diet based on healthy foods composed of fruits and vegetables and essential fats can provide a lot of benefits including our brain’s ability to recall information. Some essential foods that are needed for improvement of memory are the following:

1. Omega 3 fatty acids are focused in the brain and are attributed with memory function. They are distinguished as “essential” fat, against other kinds of fats thus protecting the body from harmful information and high cholesterol. You can get omega 3 fatty acids from walnuts, flax seeds, cold-water fishes such as tuna and halibut.

Since older people are more prone to lack Vitamin B12 and folic acids, a supplement for these vitamins is a good idea. However, nutrients can work well if they are freshly administered through natural foods.

2. Vitamin B complex such as B12 and folic acid protect neurons by destroying homocysteine, a toxic amino acid. They can also aid in creating red blood cells which can transport oxygen all throughout the body. Best food sources of Vitamin B complex are strawberries, legumes, citrus fruits and soybeans.

3. Vitamin C and E are antioxidants that destroy toxins and free radical in the body. These free radicals are formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules that they can damage cells. Vitamin C can also improve the oxygen flow through the brain. Foods that are natural antioxidants are blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli, green tea, nuts and citrus fruits.

Aging is the natural enemy of a sharp memory. There are different factors that can cause brain aging:

1. Vulnerability of the brain to age-related diseases that can affect its ability to recall information.

2. Insufficient neurons which can significantly affect the activity of brain chemicals such as neurotransmitters and receptors.

3. Decreased blood circulation in the brain.

However, for healthier adults, these changes represent more of a deterioration of the brain’s ability to absorb and store information. The accumulated information which your brain had gathered for many years will remain compressed. You can recall long-term memories but it will take time.

However, some older people can develop more problems with memory that can be the result of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Avoid Confusion To Improve Memory

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Using peg words in helping us to remember needed information is a good method. However, one thing that we must be careful when we use this method is confusion. When we use the same words in memorizing things, there is a large possibility of confusion. For instance, if you will memorize a roster of countries and their currencies on peg words, then you memorize the US states on the same peg, you might have the chance of recalling that Florida is the Capital of Mongolia.

Avoiding confusion in using peg words depends in some individuals who can have several information of the same pegs with no sweat at all, while other people are entirely confused. This can be practically avoided if we continually practicing. Some techniques that you can use to avoid confusion in using pegs to improve your memory are the following:

1. Short-term lists

If you need to memorize a series of data for a short-term recall, such as a to do list, then you don’t have to make such effort. By the time you are familiarized with your list, you will not mind if you cannot remembered the first task in the morning.

2. Medium-term lists

If you need to be familiarized with a series of data for a medium-term recall, such as shopping lists for the whole month, or an upcoming game schedule, you can try a different method of using pegs. You don’t have to memorize hundreds of new peg words; mostly you just need at least ten sets or even lower. You can use the usual set of 1-10 on the first set that you want to be familiarized with, then you can expand it to 11-20 when the need arise.

3. Long-term lists

If you really need to memorize permanent information, you need to make an effort in planning. For example, you can memorize countries and their official currencies using the same peg words. However, if this was done several months ago, you brain can actually forgot what you need. Also, since there are over 200 countries, but only 100 pegs available, you will need to re-use pegs again. You can also use the technique of association when can you remember the name of the country and the currency.

4. Long-term lists version 2.0

This technique is quite different but it can help you when you need to memorize fast lists such as the multiplication table. This technique can help you recall the multiplication table permanently and fast. It would take forever if we would devote our time searching for answers for simple multiplication equations such as 8 x 9 = 72.

So in this technique, forget about the peg words and just memorize the whole multiplication table by saying the equation like 8 x 9 = 72 for a dozen of times until it will be permanently associated with your brain. This is hard since it will take longer to memorize all the number equations. But don’t grieve yet, there are only few things that you should memorize using this “over and over again” technique.

Only use peg words if they necessary. As an example, if you want to memorize your friend’s cellular phone number. There is no need to use specific peg words you can learn it all with association.

Associating Peg Words To Improve Your Memory

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The peg word system is used to help a person to remember a list in a specific sequence. However, before you can do this, you need to memorize a roster list of peg words. Generally, there are two major ways to do this. Take a closer look at these methods first, then choose which one you want to use.

Alternatively you can use a little bit of imagination and use both methods. The first method is so easy that anyone can use it. Just use numbers 0 to 10 and relate rhyming words with each of these digits.

0. Weirdo
1. Fun
2. Doe
3. Free
4. Floor
5. Hive
6. Fix
7. Heaven
8. Mate
9. Line
10. Ben

Of course after number 11, you will find it hard to look for rhymes. However, there is still a method where you can expand this system. As an example, you can re-use the peg words by creating a distortion of their versions. In numbers 11-19, you can use the word pegged to 1 to 9, but you should picture each word as burnt: so 10 would be a weirdo who burned the toast, 13 would be black freedom and so on and so forth. For numbers 20 to 29, you can make words for 1 to 9 as hot, for 30 to 39, you can imagine it as cold.

The best method is to recall words for all numbers pegged from 0 to 99 using another system, the number alphabet. This will greatly help you to form a relation without having to recall a laborious array relation with number rhymes. Alternatively, if you can use peg words, you are ensured to get the right number by using consonant and transforming them to numbers.

A longer list is more effective because you will avoid excessive recycling, thus your brain will be less likely to be confused. But, it will take a longer time for you to memorize. However, once you recalled the peg words, you will be benefited by the list permanently, and you don’t need to recall them ever again. Below is an example of peg words for 110 numbers. Just choose memorable word for you. But once you have used it, never dare to change it to avoid confusion.

1. Clown
2. Saw
3. Heart
4. Jelly
5. Legs
6. Pot
7. Mate
8. Crate
9. Sea
10. Horse
11. Lamb
12. Chop
13. Stick
14. Free
15. Gown
16. Earth
17. Fire
18. Moon
19. Girl
20. Bath
21. Pay
22. Fee
23. Room
24. Short
25. Snout
26. Duck
27. Fish
28. Earl
29. Dwarf
30. Scare
31. Dark
32. Dim
33. Lit
34. Move
35. Out
36. Shark
37. Crank
38. Hay
39. Way
40. Dam
41. Gum
42. Plea
43. Gag
44. Seed
45. Read
46. House
47. Pen
48. Bus
49. Chair
50. Bee
51. Dime
52. Cheese
53. Road
54. Owl
55. Car
56. Train
57. Coal
58. Paper
59. Tomato
60. Comb
61. Chalk
62. Charm
63. Hand
64. Toes
65. Sun
66. Bread
67. Flower
68. Rake
69. Sky
70. Foam
71. Free
72. Nib
73. Gab
74. Seal
75. Bag
76. Lavender
77. Grey
78. White
79. Elf
80. Elephant
81. Licorice
82. Root
83. Water
84. Share
85. Own
86. Fare
87. Fat
88. Jam
89. Mow
90. Glee
91. Mat
92. Got
93. Doll
94. Bear
95. Susie
96. Lion
97. Fog
98. Talk
99. Bark
100. Mule
101. Light
102. Speech
103. Lip
104. Grave
105. Speak
106. Gun
107. Fan
108. Hill
109. Rain
110. Coke

These are the words that you should associate with numbers. It would really help you a lot in improving your memory and you can be as sharp as the smartest person out there.