Your mind works a lot like a computer, according to the National Institutes of Health. Your brain continuously files away information that can be recalled at a later time. Memory doesn't work flawlessly 100 percent of the time, however, so it's normal when the name of a person, place or thing slips your mind occasionally. Lapses in memory can be irksome and even embarrassing. Incorporating several simple techniques into your everyday life may improve your memory.
Use Your Brain
When it comes to your brain, there appears to be more than a grain of truth in the phrase "use it or lose it." Mentally stimulating activities exercise your brain and help keep it tip top shape, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Using your brain doesn't mean that you have go back to school and study stacks of textbooks, but you may want to engage your brain in mindful activities such as crossword puzzles.
Limit Multitasking
Multitasking is a way of life for many, but it may spread your brain's ability to recall information a little too thinly, according to Dr. Bill Klemm, professor of neuroscience at Texas A&M University. Watching the TV news while reading an email can compromise your ability to remember the information contained in both.
Staying focused on one thing at time will make you more apt to recall it later, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Work Your Body
Getting regular physical exercise increases blood flow to your brain and may help keep it in good working order. The Mayo Clinic recommends getting a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic activity such as brisk walking, jogging or swimming most days of the week.
Stock Up On Apples
Research from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, led by researcher Thomas B. Shea, Ph.D, suggests that consuming apple juice or eating apples may guard against cell damage that contributes to age-related memory loss. The findings of the study were published in December, 2005, in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.
Lower Your Cholesterol
High cholesterol may make you more prone to a stroke and brain cell damage according to the Alzheimer's Association. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet that includes monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as olive oil, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables may promote blood flow to the brain.
Get Organized
You're more likely to forget things like keys and important telephone numbers if you don't have a special place for them in your home, notes the Mayo Clinic. Marking errands, chores, appointments and other events on a calender or in a datebook can enhance your memory.
