New, Effective Ways to Remember Things and Improve Memory Skills

Being “memory smart” is enviable. If you’re still young and in school, having a good memory is easily equated with being smart because studying is a no-brainer. If you’re an older adult, having a good memory makes you seem younger to others and of course makes you feel younger and more in control of your life. But it really doesn’t matter how old you are, for most of us maintaining a good memory takes a bit of effort.

There have been many traditional methods for sharpening your memory including eating a balanced nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, doing brain teaser games like Suduko and learning word/picture association techniques. (You know, Bill Smith has a nose like a billiard ball and smells like a blacksmith…or something of that nature).

Recent studies; however, are showing even more effective memory enhancing techniques.

When you go to a party or a meeting that (thankfully) doesn’t make you wear a “hello my name is” badge, remember to test yourself. Rather than playing the association game, play the quiz game. Of course the trick is to test yourself right away (before you forget). So, if you’ve just met Bernard, say “Hi Bernard, nice to meet you”. If he just happens to look like a St. Bernard, all the better. Later, when you spot him across the room, test yourself on remembering his name.

Do the same with dates and shopping lists. When you enter a date onto your calendar, test yourself on the entry a minute or so later and then several times before the due date. Do the same with shopping lists. They’re more challenging, but just as effective in helping you to develop a stronger memory. When you’re at the supermarket, try to recall a few items in your head before you check that list.

Heard a funny joke? Share it until it becomes second nature. You’ll use the same memory path as when you test yourself, so when the opportunity arises you'll be less likely to be the only one at the party who can’t share a joke because nothing comes to mind.

I hope you're remembering all this because there's a pop quiz after the hub ☺

Tests were conducted at the University of Washington and at Duke University that showed taking a test can more than triple a person’s recall over studying the material. Students who gave themselves pop-quizes on an upcoming exam did better than those who studied in the traditional way of reading and re-reading their notes and materials. When you regularly test yourself, the brain stores your test answers in places more accessible to you than if you had just “studied” whatever it is you want to recall.

The trials also showed that even if you have forgotten something within minutes, the act of trying to recall it, exercises an important part of the brain associated with strengthening memory.

There has been a lot of research over the past few years to study why our memory deteriorates with age. Severe memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s Disease is now believed to be triggered by inflammation in the brain. Most recently, the CD45 molecule found in the brain has been shown to help clear harmful toxins that lead to inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers at the University of South Florida's Department of Psychiatry and the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair is working with Natura Therapeutics, Inc. to screen for natural compounds that may target CD45 activation in the brain's immune cells. Green tea has been found to be one of those compounds and the University is testing it extensively. It’s comforting to learn that serious research is being conducted into the effectiveness of natural products. Hopefully it will get publicized before the big pharmaceutical companies get hold of the information.

Natura Therapeutics is testing other natural anti-oxidants such as blueberries, also believed to reduce the inflammation associated with Alzheimer’s and memory loss.

Eating a nutritious balanced diet is good for the gray matter, and chosing antioxidants is great for memory support.

If you can, buy the organic variety for higher potency.

1. celery
2. green pepper
3. thyme
4. perilla*
5. chamomile tea
6. carrots
7. olive oil
8. peppermint
9. rosemary
10. oregano
11. almonds
    

*If you’re unfamiliar with perilla, it’s an ornamental herb that’s attractive in both in the garden and on the plate. Called "Shiso" (Japanese basil or mint) in Asian cooking, the leaves smell like lemon balm. The flavor is a combination of parsley, cilantro, and cumin with a hint of cinnamon. Add it to salads or sprinkle it on fish. Both flowers and leaves are edible and together they make a fragrant tea.

1- Name three of the activities mentioned in this Hub (other than self-testing) that can improve your memory. If that's not challenging enough, name four.

2- University of Washington and Duke University research showed that taking a test can improve a person’s memory better than just studying the material. How many times better?

a) two times better

b) three times better

c) four times better

3- What natural product is being tested by The Department of Psychiatry at the University of South Florida?

4- Which food is not known to improve memory?
a) carrots
b) thyme
c) blueberries
d) cumin
e) oregano

5- Who is the author of this Hub?

(you'll find the answers listed after the comments)

© Copyright Green Lotus, 2011. All rights reserved.

_{Pop Quiz Answers:}

_{1- eating a nutritious diet, exercise, getting enough sleep, brain teaser games, using word/picture association techniques}

_{2- three times better}

_{3- green tea}

_{4- cumin}

_{5- green lotus}