It is important to keep the brain active and the memory triggered and sharp. Poor diet, aging and sheer laziness often stunt our ability to remember things. According to the 2009 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, more than 5.3 million people in the United States suffer from Alzheimer's disease, a debilitating affliction that affects short term memory. By using a variety of mnemonic techniques to improve memory, we should be able to keep our minds clear and active, for both the short term and the long.
Remembering through Association
Every single image you conjure up in your mind is connected to another image. Picture an apple and, most likely, you have a potent association with that fruit, whether it is a beautiful tree in an orchard or a delicious pie your mother made. By associating things with other things, we help ourselves remember. Associations are personal, so when you need to remember something, find a connection with something else that has meaning for you.
Creating Acronyms
Acronyms are letters that represent the first word of each group of words you are trying to remember. For example, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is known by its acronym PETA. Use this method of abbreviation to assist you in remembering word groupings that might otherwise be difficult to retain. An example might be that you need to remember "the Chicago Association of Spanish Speakers," which forms the acronym "CASS." The word "cass" is easier to remember and will help you decipher the longer name.
Creating Acrostics
To create an acrostic, use the first letter of each word you need to remember to make a full sentence. For example, if you need to remember the bones that make up the skull--which are the ethmoid, sphenoid, parietal, frontal and temporal--you might make an acrostic using the first letter of each word and come up with "Every Single Person Faces One Thing."
Using Rhymes or Tunes
It is often easier to remember the lyrics to songs than most other things. The association of words with a melody helps us retain lyrics, no matter how long ago we might have heard the song. Apply the words you need to learn to a familiar tune and see how easy it is to retain the information. The chemical equation you need to recall sung to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" could be the answer.
Visualizing Locations, Associating with Words
Take a familiar location and associate specific landmarks with a specific word you need to remember. Each time you walk around the location, you will reinforce the memory of that word or the words you choose with each landmark. For example, as you walk through your home each day, associate one word with your kitchen, one with the bathroom, one with your living room and one with the rest of the rooms if necessary.
Repeating
Repetition is an excellent way to remember, especially if you need to remember a list of items. Start a sentence with one item and then as you add more, start from the first, repeating it and then adding the next until you have repeated all the items each time a new one is added. For example, "I am going to the market to buy apples... I am going to the market to buy apples and pears... to buy apples and pears and lemons... to buy apples and pears and lemons and birdseed...."
Remembering Numbers
Probably the longest number we can retain easily is a phone number. After the customary seven digits, it becomes harder to memorize chains of numbers. An easy way to memorize chains is to break the numbers into small chunks. For example, the number 375038277401 can be broken up as follows: 375 038 277 401. This way, it is easier to master.
Learning New Things
A great way to exercise and improve the mind is to study things outside your normal expertise. This can mean picking up a new language or learning how to play an instrument. Doing crossword puzzles and playing word games are other ways of learning as you pick up new words and phrases. Learning a new word from the dictionary each day is an excellent way to keep your memory buzzing.
Oxidizing the Brain
There are many herbal supplements you can take to increase oxidation and circulation to the brain. Some of these include ginkgo biloba, which improves the circulation of blood to the brain while fighting free radicals; gotu kola, which helps with mental performance by stimulating circulation; hawthorn berry, a powerful antioxidant, cleansing the body of toxins while strengthening the blood vessels and transporting oxygen to the brain.
