Improving your memory

Memory

Memory is the brain’s ability to absorb, keep and recall information. Derived from philosophy the study of memory began during the late 19th and early 20th century.  Memory studies are part of cognitive psychology which in more recent years is more commonly known as cognitive neuroscience.

When presented with an external stimuli your brain processes information then encodes it and stores it until needed.  Once stored away the brain utilizes a variety of methods to recall that information.  The more pathways to the information, the better your retention and subsequently the better your recall.  

There are countless methods to improve memory. If you want your brain to be active and retain vital information, despite your age, you must help keep it healthy.  A healthy lifestyle is paramount to a healthy brain.  Luckily, your brain is a muscle and muscles can be worked and enhanced. 

Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol in moderation or complete abstinence is recommended.  Alcohol is a depressant, although we think we are happy when we have one too many, the next day’s hangover proves the point.  If you must drink or prefer to, then keep alcohol to a minimum, one to two glasses of wine. 

Narcotics and other drugs, both street and prescribed have an adverse effect over long term use.  Street drugs kill brain cells.  Our brain cells are the only cells that do not rejuvenate, therefore once the cells die so does any information that was stored on it.  Therefore abstinence is also recommended, otherwise use as prescribed.     

Tobacco is included in this category because it is a stimulant.  Tobacco is cut with all kinds of poisons thus it decreases your oxygen intake.  The importance of oxygen is included with physical activity.

Physical Activity

Being in shape provides a sense of well-being and confidence.  When you take care of your body it is one less thing for your brain to worry about i.e. you are less likely to be depressed or in a rut.  Exercise provides an outlet for deleting stress.  Less stress means a relaxed body thus keeping your mind alert.

Physical activity increases oxygen intake, increased oxygen means increased awareness and alertness. Essentially, your brain uses oxygen as food.  Oxygen is delivered to the brain through the bloodstream, exercise increases the blood flow throughout your body thus increasing your oxygen intake.

Sleep

Sleeping and resting is just as important as exercise.  Sleep is the time when your body rids itself of toxins and other unnecessary items you’ve accumulated throughout the day.  Sleep allows your brain to shut down bodily functions and concentrate on specific tasks that may need to be worked out i.e. if you’re sick, sleeping in the best way to get yourself better because your brain begins working on the virus or bacteria. 

   

Mental Exercises to Improve Your Memory

There are interactive activities you can engage in to work your brain matter.  Card games, simple math questions and brain game websites.  Each activity affects a different aspect of the brain.  Taking the above suggestions couple with the suggested games and you will soon feel the quickness and alertness of a healthy brain.   

Card Games

Card games like Concentration, Gin Rummy, Bridge, Hearts, and Euchre require the player to retain cards in play and apply problem-solving strategies.  Card games are fun and provide social interaction whether you play in-person or online.

Simple Math Questions

Simple add/subtract or multiply/division questions that may or may not require simple order of operations completed within a time limit is a great solitaire activity that will improve brain function.

 Online websites

If you type “brain games” into a search engine you literally get millions of options.  Brain games are fun and easy to play.  Some sites require you to become a member, it usually a matter of leaving your email address.  There are some great sites that are free like sharpbrain.com or braingames.com or paid sites like luminosity.com.   

Facing the Pain

Ever feel something so painful that you're too afraid to feel it, because then whatever is hurting you becomes real, and when it becomes real you just know the pain is unbearable?  That's the kind of pain that comes with loss.  Loss of a spouse, a family member, a friend, or God forbid a child.  There is no pain greater than loss either through death or otherwise.  The end of a relationship is a death to your heart and thus a grieving process; it's important to not rush through the process.  So when you're ready take a deep breath and slowly guide yourself to your where you need to be.

• If you have been holding in the pain for a while it may take some time to bring it up.  You might need some help, like playing music, talking it out, or writing in a journal may help you to bring it to the surface.  
• When you start to feel it rising pay attention to your thoughts.   Your brain's job is to protect you, it will do this by keeping you from feeling, so you end up just thinking instead feeling.  Therefore you need to push thoughts aside and allow yourself to feel.  The more times you do the easier it will become. 
• It takes more than one cry.  It may take 3 or 300, regardless, each time you allow yourself to feel it then you are that much closer to letting it go.  
• Close the wound when it's time to move on.  There is a time and place for everything, if you leave the wound open your setting yourself up to be hurt again.  
• You need something else to take its place.  The pain has been taking up space, and once you start removing it then there needs to be something else to replace it, like acceptance and love through a new friendship 

Pain doesn't seem like a good thing but it is.  Pain means healing, allow yourself to feel so that you can heal. Take the time for yourself like you would be for any of your friends.  How many times have you sat on the phone for hours on end just listening, do the same for yourself?