We all forget things once in a while. You may forget the name of someone you met only days ago, or where you put your car keys, or forget to pick up that prescription at the pharmacy. You can help your brain focus and concentrate by following a few simple tips. These will exercise your brain and make it easier for your mind to store short-term or recent information, regardless of your hectic lifestyle or schedule.
Write It Down
Remind yourself of important events by writing them down on scraps of paper or sticky notes, suggests FamilyDoctor.org. Keeping and maintaining lists act as reminders for people of all ages. While older people may tend to forget more often, people who are stressed, overworked or trying to accomplish too many things at once may benefit from writing things down. To help focus, write only one word that can trigger your memory for a chore or errand.
Make the Connection
Create interesting hints or associations in your mind that can help you remember things. Visual association or words may prove beneficial in improving short-term memory, suggests FamilyDoctor.org. For example, instead of trying to remember street names, try remembering buildings, trees or other landmarks to remember directions that you can follow and find day or night.
Think of words that rhyme to help you remember names, places or dates, or match them up with other famous dates or people, or events from your past. When meeting someone for the first time, try to think of a visual image that will help you remember that person's name.
Create Habits
If you're constantly losing your keys, put them in the same place when you're finished with them. The same goes for your glasses or your remote control. A place for everything and everything in its place will help you remember where things are so you don't waste time looking for them. Such habits also help maintain and retain memory, especially for individuals diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's or dementia.
Use It or Lose It
Exercise your brain every day, like you do any other part of your body. For example, really focus when people are talking to you or introducing themselves for the first time. HelpGuide.org suggests that you focus on something for about eight seconds to truly plant it in your memory.
Avoid distractions or doing too many things at once when trying to learn something new, when meeting a new person or when you're given instructions.
