Memory loss happens to us all from time to time. We forget our phone at home or can’t find our car keys in the morning.
But if your forgetfulness is starting to wreak havoc on your work deadlines and turn your daily life into a never-ending hunt for misplaced items, it’s time to explore memory-boosting techniques and make these lapses a thing of the past.
Here are twelve ways forgetful people can improve their memories.
1. Switching hands while working helps stimulate brain activity
Usually, we only use our dominant hand to perform actions and daily tasks such as holding utensils, grabbing door handles, using a mouse, and writing with a pen.
Try swapping and using your non-dominant hand. This will strengthen the connections in the brain, thereby making the brain stronger.
2. Reading books out loud helps the brain to store more information
Books are an infinite source of knowledge, but did you know reading out loud can double your memory? When you read and listen to your own sounds, your brain can store more information.
Think about it. We read stories out loud to babies and children to develop their brains; why wouldn’t that same approach work as an adult?
If you’re somewhere that you can’t read out loud without seriously annoying everyone around you, get an audiobook and read along with it on an e-reader or hard copy of the book.
3. Squeezing your palms for 90 seconds improves your focus
You can tap into a remarkable mind-body connection by simply squeezing your palms for just 90 seconds. This action increases blood flow to your brain, resulting in improved focus and heightened memory retention. It’s like giving your memory a little power boost.
4. Remembering four things makes it easier to remember more
Practice remembering four characteristics about a person or an event. That’s it – just four things.
For example, when you meet someone new, take note of their hair color, the type of shoes they’re wearing, and the color of their eyes. Then, focus on one distinct feature that stands out to you, like a unique accessory or a memorable smile. You’ll learn to notice the details, improving your memory skills. Soon you’ll be able to remember even more.
People love being remembered. When you recall those captivating characteristics about someone, it shows that you truly see and value them.
5. Dark chocolate enhances your brain function
Good news! Eating dark chocolate is a highly recommended method of improving memory.
Packed with flavonoids and antioxidants, dark chocolate has been shown to enhance brain function and boost cognitive abilities. With every decadent bite, you’re treating your brain to a delicious dose of memory-boosting goodness.
So, the next time you crave a sweet treat, reach for a bar of dark chocolate. A little chocolate can go a long way in keeping your memory sharp and your taste buds happy!
6. Minimizing the amount of sugar in the diet helps protect the brain
One of the most harmful things to your body is consuming too much sugar from candy, cakes, snacks, carbonated soft drinks, juices, or starchy foods. While indulging in these delicious, sugary delights may provide temporary satisfaction, the long-term consequences can be severe.
The spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels associated with consuming sugary foods can lead to reduced focus, decreased attention span, and difficulty retaining information. So hopefully, you’re a dark chocolate fan!
7. Limiting alcohol keeps your brain forming memories
When we consume alcohol, it affects our brains by slowing down the transmission of information, which can make it harder to remember things clearly. Alcohol also affects memory by interfering with forming of new memories. This happens because alcohol disrupts the process of consolidating memories in the brain, especially in the hippocampus, a vital area for memory formation.
While alcohol can play tricks on our memory, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. Just be sure to approach it with a dose of moderation and a sprinkle of mindfulness.
8. Supplementing with fish oil helps gives us a boost
Fish oil is like brain fuel. It’s packed with Omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA, EPA, and ALA), essential for brain, vision, and nerve development. These fantastic compounds ensure that our brain’s blood vessels stay in tip-top shape, supporting optimal brain function.
But here’s the catch: If we don’t get enough Omega-3 in our diet, our brains might not work as well. Our memory can decline, and we might always feel tired and weak. Yikes! That’s where fish oil comes to the rescue!
By adding fish oil to our daily diet, we can give our memory a boost and protect our precious brain. A little fish oil can go a long way in keeping our minds strong and our memories vibrant.
9. Eating on the MIND diet sharpens your mind
By following this diet, which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, you can nourish your brain with memory-boosting foods. Think of it as a tasty way to sharpen your mind.
The MIND diet encourages the consumption of brain-loving foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil. These superfoods are rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and important nutrients that support memory and brain function.
So, if you can’t remember where you parked or what you watched on tv last night, give the MIND diet a whirl.
10. Maintain a reasonable weight to avoid the decline
A slimmer waistline and a sharper memory? Believe it or not, your weight can impact how well you remember things. Excess weight, particularly around the midsection, has been linked to memory problems and cognitive decline.
By shedding those extra pounds through regular exercise and a healthy diet, you can not only rock that new wardrobe but also rock a clear and focused brain.
11. Linking what you know to make it easier to recall
Imagine your brain as a marvelous library filled with shelves upon shelves of knowledge and information.
Linking information is like organizing this library with colorful bookmarks, labels, and other markers that make it a breeze to locate and retrieve the information you need, just like finding your favorite book on a well-marked shelf. Instead of aimlessly wandering the aisles, searching for that elusive piece of information, you can now rely on the shortcuts you’ve created.
This organized system leads to quicker and more accurate recall, empowering you to access and utilize your knowledge with ease.
12. Use tools to help organize information
When it comes to boosting your memory, organizational tools are invaluable. Take calendars, for example. Whether digital or paper-based, they keep you on top of important dates and deadlines.
To-do lists are also powerful tools. They help you prioritize tasks and stay organized, whether written on paper or managed through an app. And let’s not forget the charm of sticky notes, offering quick reminders placed strategically around your space.
But the range of organizational tools doesn’t stop there. Digital apps like Evernote and Trello provide comprehensive platforms for note-taking, task management, and project organization.
Timers and alarms help you stay focused and manage your time effectively. Mind mapping tools like MindMeister or SimpleMind enable you to connect and organize ideas visually.
And let’s not forget about virtual assistants like Siri or Google Assistant, which can schedule appointments, set reminders, and help you stay on top of your daily tasks.
Improve More Than Just Your Memory Skills
Since you are keen to learn new things, what other skills would you like to improve? You learn can pretty much anything from mini courses on time management and setting SMART goals to how to write for television. The best part? You can learn these new skills for free.
Unplugging To Reconnect
There are endless distractions online. Reclaiming the present moment and human connections while disconnecting from technology can reduce stress and anxiety, enhance sleep quality, amplify productivity and creativity, and prioritize what truly matters in life.
Forgetting Isn’t Failing
Sometimes being a forgetful person can make you feel like you’re annoying others or letting them down. Sure it can negatively impact your life, but it doesn’t have to. All successful people have failed, they just learn to embrace it.
Amanda Kay, the founder of My Life, I Guess, provides valuable career advice and support for anyone striving to make a living and, more importantly, make a life. Whether it's navigating job searches, learning new skills, overcoming unemployment, or dealing with debt, My Life, I Guess has been a go-to resource for career guidance and financial stability since 2013. Amanda's expertise and relatable approach have been featured in trusted publications such as MSN, Credit.com, Yahoo! Finance, the Ladders and Fairygodboss.