How to Improve your Memory Naturally
By: Andres Carvajal
Edited By: Stephanie Dawson
[Last Updated on March 1st 2014]
There are several techniques to improve your memory for that important test or presentation. The techniques offered here won’t require a huge effort or any outlay of money. Brain gym websites, such as Lumosity are popular currently, they present activities and games to increase cognitive and executive functions such as short term and long term memory, working memory, attention, and speed memory. Anything that keeps your mind active is positive, but not everyone can afford a financial outlay or large time commitment, this is geared towards them.
• Write about your problems– If you have emotional problems, creative writing can help you discover yourself. You can dive deep into a monologue that should make you aware of subtle emotional situations. Keeping a diary, a log, or basic notes about your life, your traumas, special moments, and good days will make improve your sense of self and control of your life. Creative writing is effective for integrating good and bad experiences into the self, not just avoiding hurtful ones. If the problem you have is a mathematical, logical, or analytic problem write it in different ways for different approaches. If you want to memorize a poem don’t hesitate to write it 100 times.
• Keep it green– There are positive effects to a natural environment. Nature effects memory recall in a positive way, in some studies people who walked in a park were able to remember more things that their counterparts that walked in a city. The causes are unknown, however for many this might be cheap and simple option. How about reading in a park? Or taking a walk in a park after studying for that exam? The effects of green grass, pure air, and interaction of cues in the environment will improve your brain function.
• Say it out loud– This is one of the easiest ways to memorize anything, just say it. Studies found that this can increase declarative memory up to 10%, even if you speak out in a low tone.
• Meditate– The wonders of meditation are rampant for body and soul. Specifically, meditation improves cognitive functions such as memory and attention and will up your energy and mood levels. It takes concentration and consistency, should be done at least once a day for 10 – 20 minutes for a few weeks to see results. Its better to learn meditation techniques from someone trained in spiritual pathways.
• Summarize and be truthful– Each time you are trying to understand a concept and are afraid that can’t memorize it, ask yourself “What did I understand from this?” Try to say it in your own words even if its slang without changing the core issue. Identify the primary and secondary ideas and make cross-references between lecture and your own experiences. Try to relate what you hear with something similar you have seen.
Sources:
Masao Yogo, Shuji Fujihara (2010) Working memory capacity can be improved by expressive writing: A randomized experiment in a Japanese sample British Journal of Health Psychology Volume 13, Issue 1, pages 77–80,
Heather Buttle (2012) Attention and Working Memory in Mindfulness-Meditation Practices Massey University
Marc G. Berman, John Jonides, Stephen Kaplan. The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature Psychological Science December 2008 vol. 19 no. 12 1207-1212
