REAL TALK, TOP-LINERS

Memory Development! Say what?

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Hey Everyone! It’s time for some REAL TALK!

Well, if you met me in real life, you’d know that I have an atrocious short-term memory. Since I practically never know where I’ve camouflaged important items (I swear my keys have invisible legs!) and am constantly forgetting the names of people I’ve just met, I’ve taken to keeping a “smart phone planner” on me at all times so I can quickly put down all the things that I’m bound to skip and forget. But while the planner trick is a helpful short-term fix, I’m always on the hunt for ways to help tutor my brain to avoid future confusion and embarrassment.

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If you’re like me and need a little help curtailing forgetfulness, here are five science-backed hacks that can help improve your memory today.

1. KEEP STUDYING

The first suggestion on my list is also classical and most obvious! Dozens of studies have proved that people who keep reading, studying, and learning throughout their lives don’t lose sharpness and save mental stamina in the long run. By increasing the amount of connections between topics, you give your brain more ways to access that information. Using outside information gives you a trigger that can also increase your brain connections.

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2. READING ALOUD

According to a new study from the University of Waterloo, you’re more likely to remember something if you read it aloud. If you want to sharpen your memory, you have to stay mentally engaged. To put it simply, you can’t only read something but you also must think about it simultaneously. Reading aloud is the perfect activity in that regard because it forces you to think about the text and its true meaning.

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3. EXERCISE

Exercise can do miracles for your body and your mind. You’ve probably heard already that physical activity keeps you strong and ready to work hard day in, day out. But it gives you another benefit – people recover mental strength through exercise, too!  Exercise increases the flow of oxygen within your bloodstream, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen reaching your brain. With that oxygen comes valuable nutrients that keep your brain functioning at a high level. Talk about “working on that body!”

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4. MUSIC

Thanks to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, we now know that music can actually enhance our memory and verbal intelligence. Science has shown that musical training can change brain structure and function for the better. It can also improve long-term memory and lead to better brain development for those who start at a young age! Well, it’s time to plug in those ear-pods and just JIVE!

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5. SLEEP

One of the most important ways that sleep impacts us, is through memory. As you sleep, your brain processes the information stored in your short-term memory and sorts through what you’ve done that day. So, if you find yourself more than a little sleepy after a long intense lecture, meeting or study session, take a nap. Twenty minutes are just enough to recharge your batteries but if you’ve got a full 90 minutes, go for it and let your REM cycle help you remember what you just learned in class.

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Creating visual aids to give your brain another way to “see” what you’re studying/reading, taking a shower to let your brain relax, quizzing yourself, watching a documentary to create story based memories, sipping on “Peppermint Tea“, taking a five to ten minute break to meditate, visit with friends, or dance around your room to your favorite jams – are other ways that can actually increase your productivity and creativity, without the hazards of “drug abuse” and “chemical enhancer addiction!”

Sure, you could improve yourself the normal way, with hard work and years of slow, incremental progress. Or you could use some of your body’s built-in cheat codes and just hack your way to awesomeness!

What methods or tricks do you use to make sure you can’t forget the important stuff? I am all ears!

Love,

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39 Comments

  2. I’ve ticked three of the five points on the list, need to consider “reading aloud” and “sufficient sleep”👌 Great post! 😊

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Isabelle!💕
      “Reading aloud” really worked for me during my “thesis days!”👩‍🔬 (Honestly, I too am working on “sufficient sleep” thingy – hopefully, someday I will be able to!)🧘

      Reply

      1. Agree! I think “sufficient sleep” is a more challenging one than “reading aloud”. I love staying late at night, reading mostly. Should definitely work on that one, the dark circles under my eyes…oh my Goodness! 😅

        Reply

  4. Whoo! I’m not Only in that boat with you, I’m the one with the paddle! Great post! I’m taking this advice. Love to share updates on the effectiveness on them as they’re tried?

    Reply

    1. Thanks much!💕
      Oh yes, I am already planning another post on effectiveness and updates – hopefully will whip something soon!😇

      Reply

  5. Sleep is so important and drinking water keeps me more alert! And then, like you’re doing, writing things down is a great help.

    Reply

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