An important feature of any learning is memory. Without it all learning is futile. Some have razor sharp memory, but others have average to poor memory. Memory can be improved vastly by using some of the memory techniques.

1. Any new learning can be grasped faster by associating the new information with any acquired learning. This helps to see the possible connection and lends greater meaning and significance to the information learnt.

2. Studies have revealed that memory improves by using both sides of the brain. This is whole-brain thinking. The attributes of the left side of the brain are logic, words, lists, numbers, sequences and analysis, and for the right side it is rhythm, imagination, daydreaming, color, size and spatial awareness. Working on using both these elements will strengthen memory.

3. The most common problem of memory is lack of proper attention. .

4. You can picture the information you want to remember in a sequence and the more bizarre, humorous and inflated the images, the greater the recall.

5. Main ideas or information can be strung into an unusual story. You can remember a long series of information by spinning a story out of it.

6. Acronym, which is taking a word out of each item to be recalled, is an effective method way for remembering information in an order by. E.g. My Very Elegant Mother Just Served Us Nine Peas – represent 9 planets of the sun – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

7. Using the first letter of each item that stands for a word in a phrase is Acrostic. Eg. Pink = Pink is a special color; I like it more for its subtle shade, Never loud or garish; Kind of gentle and pleasing always.

8. Chunking is an effective method often used in numbers. A 12-digit number can be split in 2 units of 6 each for easy recalling. E.g. number 982615947502 can be cut into two units of 982615 – 947502. You can also chunk items under different concepts such as – fruits, vegetables, animals, etc.

An equally powerful and easy technique for reinforcing learning and memory is Mind Mapping. Mindmapping technique is primarily based on how we think, remember and recall.

It induces whole-brain thinking by kindling a chain of associated thoughts and ideas. It draws your full and focused attention and adopts visual stimuli such as colors, pictures, symbols, dimensions, etc., creating vividness, and strengthening recalling abilities.

The Mind Map technique has the potential to trigger greater creativity, imagination and insight. You have to experience the technique to realize its true value.

About the Author:

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Elephantine Memory and Mindmapping

There are several brain fitness topics where we still see a large disconnect between research and popular knowledge, and a major one is the relationship between memory and stress. Caroline and I collaborated on this post to bring you some context and tips. Our society has changed faster than our genes.

Instead of being faced with physical, immediately life-threatening crises that demand instant action, these days we deal with events and illnesses that gnaw away at us slowly, that stress us out and that, believe it or not, end up hurting our memory and brain. Dr. Robert Sapolsky, in an interview about his book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, points out that humans uniquely “can get stressed simply with thought, turning on the same stress response as does the zebra.”

But, the zebra releases the stress hormones through life-preserving action, while we usually just keep muddling along, getting more anxious by the moment. What is the relationship between stress and memory? We all know chronic stress is bad for our heart, our weight, and our mood, but how about our memory? Interestingly, acute stress can help us focus and remember things more vividly.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, reduce our ability to focus and can specifically damage cells in the hippocampus, a brain structure critical to encoding short term memory. When is stress chronic? When one feels out of control. Irritable, anxious. While every individual varies in their response the type and quantity of stress, there are some things we can do to feel more in control of your environment.

This sense of empowerment can lower stress, and as a result, help memory. What are the best defenses against chronic stress, that will help our mind and memory remain healthy for life?

1- Exercise strengthens the body and can reduce the experience of stress, depression, and anxiety. Doing something cardiovascular at least twice a week is the minimum.

2- Relaxation through meditation, tai chi, yoga, or other techniques to slow respiration, slow metabolism, and release muscle tension. Simply investing 10 minutes per day can make a difference.

3- Biofeedback programs and games that provide real-time information and tracking, allowing one to learn effective techniques for reducing stress levels

4- Appreciation. Make sure you appreciate the good things you have and have done, and your support group around you.

5- A good social network of friends, family, and even pets help foster trust, support, and relaxation.

6- This may be obvious…except that we may not do it precisely when we need it the most: Use a calendar to schedule important things. Give items a date and a priority.

7- This one too: Make a list of things that need to be done. Even if it’s a long list. It is rewarding to cross off items as you complete them.

8- Prioritize. Ask yourself how important something truly is to you. Maybe you’re stressing over something that you are better off just letting go. Do you really need to remember 25 new names from that party? Focus on the 5 you want to see again.

9- Get enough sleep so that you can recharge your batteries.

10- There is no solid evidence that Ginko Biloba helps. Of course, the placebo effect does, so if you are already taking it, you think it helps you, and you can afford it, well, just skip this point (which you will probably do, anyway). But please ask your doctor if you are taking prescription drugs; there may be interactions.

These are not magical cures, but habits that you can develop with practice to improve your memory and quality of life.

About the Author:

Alvaro Castillo has been writing reports for 10 years on healthy sleep habits and stress with positive results. For more information check out his website at http://www.mynighttimehealth.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 10 Surprising Memory Improvement Tips