Improving Memory - FIVE Habits and Lifestyle Changes

"Memory is the mother of all wisdom". -Aeschylus

So how do you improve memory? Improving memory involves improving communication between various brain cells. The more the number of such communications, and the faster these cells connect with each other, the better your memory.

Research shows that the connections between brain cells change everyday as we learn new things and have new experiences. And that is good news, because that means, there is always scope to improve these connections, and by extension, improve memory.

Here are FIVE strategies that will help you in the process:

1. Brain Exercises: Just like physical exercises strengthen your muscles, keep you heart running and improve your health, brain exercises strengthen the connections between your brain cells, build new ones and improve memory. What exactly is a brain exercise? Anything that makes you think can be qualified as a brain exercise. Puzzles, crosswords, jigsaws, games like chess, even video and computer games that make you think are all excellent food for the brain.

2. Physical Exercises: Talking of exercise, physical exercises also help in improving memory. How? By oxygenating your brain. Something simple like doing arm circles also sends blood to your brain. And more blood means more oxygen. Anything that is good for your heart, chances are it is good for your brain as well.

3. Learn Something New: Learn a foreign language. A new sport. Develop new hobby. Cook new food. Decorate your home in new ways. Travel to new places. Socialize, and make new friends. Read new books. Anything that engages your senses and makes your brain work at the same time, will improve memory by stimulating your brain circuits to grow.

4. Eat For Memory: The foods which aid in improving memory are nothing new. It's the food the dietitians around the world have always recommended, for their other health benefits. A well-balanced diet, with variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, and limited to moderate protein is the right prescription for your memory as well.

Monounsaturated fats (eg. olive, canola, peanut oils), polyunsaturated fats rich in Omega-3 fatty acids (read fish/fish oil) have also been in news for their brain and memory benefits. Water, instead of soda, should be preferred, as water helps maintain the memory systems work efficiently. And yes, no alcohol, no tobacco, and limited or no caffeine, as they all are known to interfere with the memory function.

5. Sleep: And last but not the least, a good night's sleep is one of the most essential, yet basic, things you can do for improving memory. With no sensory interference during sleep, experts believe that the brain proceeds to organize and revise the day's information, and works on "storing" it into memory. 7 to 9 hours of sleep is critical for healthy memory.

Simple tips like following the same time/ritual for sleeping, keeping the room dark, creating light background noise (white noise) that suppresses other noises, and consuming no alcohol/caffeine few hours prior to sleeping - all aid in getting a well-deserved good night's sleep. And that helps in improving memory like none other.