Remember Not to Forget: Tips for Enhancing Memory

Community Manager — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 13:03:00 GMT

Imagine if memories could be retrieved with the flick of a switch. Scientists have recently made that very breakthrough with rats. But since the nascent technology is a long way from use in more complex mammals, anyone looking to boost memory is better served with the tips we've rounded up from across the web.

Clean Desks & Mind Games Make Sharp Memories

Clinical psychologist and author of the Total Memory Workout, Dr. Cynthia Green, has eight tips for helping your memory rival those elephants who never forget. We like the first: keep your desk clean. Studies show organized individuals can better remember.

Green also advocates simple steps such as aerobic activity and stretching breaks to enhance memory. Other ideas include using "neurobic" activities such as mind exercises, puzzles and teasers to keep the brain's cells firing away. For more, read about Dr. Green's eight strategies here.

Be Interested, Be Visual & Be Well-Rested

It's probably no surprise to learn that the better rested your body and brain, the better your memory, says Dr. Alex Lickman in Psychology Today. Sleep deprivation causes all cognitive functions, including memory, to dive off a cliff. But you may be unaware of the link between memories and images.

Memory making is primarily a visual process so if remembering where those car keys are is a challenge, create a visual memory by zooming in on the details, colors and dimensions of the spot where you put them.

Lickman also emphasizes that interest plays a role in memory-making. The more interested you are in a person or information, the easier it is to make and maintain a memory. For more strategies, read Linkman's article How to Remember Things: Proven Strategies to Improve Your Memory.

How do you remember not to forget? Do you have a foolproof means for remembering important items? Share your thoughts here and at the Pendaflex Facebook page.

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Remember Not to Forget: Tips for Enhancing Memory