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Do you prefer to write things down because you don’t think you will remember them? When making a presentation, do you find it difficult to maintain eye contact with your audience because you’re scrambling to look at your notes and talking points?
A sharp memory is an asset in life. You may think that having a good memory is innate. That isn’t true. Another myth is that memory declines with age and one can’t do anything about it.
The truth is that anyone can improve their memory. Do you want to learn how to boost your memory? Read on!
The Importance Of A Strong Memory In The Digital Age
The digital age has changed how humans use and store information. Technology helps us read, process and dispose of new information within seconds. We are able to complete even the most complicated tasks quickly with the help of apps and gadgets.
Whether it’s memorizing a grocery list, calling our loved ones or performing complex calculations, our phones and computers solve it all. They store the information needed to complete these tasks. This means people rely on their memories less for everyday tasks. Our phones store phone numbers for us. Digital calendars and alarm clocks on our phones and computers remind us about every activity we have scheduled. The in-built GPS in our cars shows us the way. Shopping apps and websites save our grocery lists for us.
The convenience of using technology to remember things for us has its downsides. Heavy reliance on technology has made it difficult for people to store and recall information themselves. Studies suggest that people are comfortable forgetting important information that they can access through a digital device. This phenomenon is also known as ‘digital amnesia’. While setting reminders on your phone seems harmless, make sure it doesn’t erode your ability to remember your tasks too.
This is why it’s important to know how to improve your memory. Read on for tips to sharpen your memory.
How To Improve Memory And Concentration
Anyone can learn how to increase their memory. Did you know that our brains can change and grow over time? Neural plasticity, also known as brain plasticity, refers to the capacity of the nervous system to change through growth and reorganization. When you make an effort to use your memory, it promotes neural plasticity and improves your memory over time.
In short, our memory capacity isn’t fixed. We can take steps towards improving it. Here are some effective tips for improving memory:
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Keep Trying Something New
Memory strength is a lot like muscular strength—the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Mind games are excellent ways to improve your memory capacity as they encourage you to use different cognitive abilities. Let’s look at some simple yet highly effective activities that will help you improve your memory:
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Playing games like Sudoku, chess and puzzles
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Learning a new language
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Solving riddles or memorizing tongue-twisters
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Picking up a new hobby
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Trying out new physical activities such as dancing
While there are many activities to choose from, remember to pick something that commands your full attention and forces you out of your comfort zone.
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Utilize Memorization Tools
The brain stores and recalls information in different ways. Memorization strategies or techniques can help make the process of retaining information easier. Let’s look at a few memorizing techniques and tools that will teach you how to improve your memory:
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Storytelling: You can create a story with elements that interest you and memorize things by connecting them sequentially
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Chunking: You can group things together by identifying overlapping contexts or patterns
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Repetition: This is one of the most common memorizing techniques where repeating things helps memorize them
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Delay Using Technology
‘Google it’ has become one of the most common phrases in recent times. However, having all the information in the world at our fingertips has also made us mentally lazy. We turn to the internet for almost everything. Break this habit and make it a point to use your memory to store information. Delay the use of technology when you need to find out something or solve a problem.
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Stay Physically Healthy
Unhealthy lifestyles and habits can be extremely harmful to your mind. Your physical well-being will support your mental well-being. Find ways to relax, manage stress and avoid overexertion. Adequate sleep, healthy plant-based diets and light exercises can go a long way. Most of all, it’s essential that you take breaks, socialize and pursue your hobbies.
Harappa Education’s Practicing Excellence course will teach you how to stay on track and find ways to discipline yourself. The 1% Rule concept will help you make small improvements that lead to monumental changes in your life. You will learn how to navigate and overcome distractions, take ownership of your responsibilities and work towards consistent self-improvement. Practice excellence to achieve excellence!
Explore topics such as Brain Exercises to Sharpen Your Mind, How to Improve Your Concentration & How to Stay Focused from Harappa Diaries and increase productivity at your workplace.
