How To Improve Memory Recall
Forgetting someone’s name or detail about something recent is not only embarrassing but also a sign that you have bad memory recall. This can happen to anyone, regardless of age. Forgetting things isn’t limited to older people - it’s something that many younger people have trouble with as well.
Students often have trouble remembering the answers to work that they have studied really hard for. This means they have put in hours of studying, but because their brains failed to recall the data, they couldn’t complete tests or exams that they were actually prepared for.
Before we can get into how to improve memory recall, let’s take a quick look at just how memory works.
The process of making memories and remembering them
Your brain is a complex and truly amazing thing that works in ways that are sometimes astounding. And all without any influence from us.
When you do something (anything, really), your brain sends signals in a specific and particular pattern that is associated with that event and then creates connections between your neurons - these are called synapses.
Making the memory stick
If nothing further happened, that memory will just go away - floating into the abyss or however you want to envision that. However, your brain consolidates memories that it considers worth keeping. This is when your brain stores the memory to your long-term memory so you can remember it at a later time.
Most of this consolidating happens when we sleep, and the brain will recreate that pattern and strengthen the synapses it made earlier - ‘burning’ the memory into your brain.
Remembering
This process is what happens when we think about an event - your brain recalls the relevant pattern, and you remember what happened. However, if your memory hasn’t been strengthened over time, it will not be as easy to remember anything.
Although memory loss is normal when aging, there are ways to slow it down, especially if you’re still young.
As for students, it can become a very stressful situation when they’re worried about how to get those good grades that will help them secure a good future for themselves.
Getting better grades doesn’t mean you have to turn into a nerd or a “book worm”, as you will find out on the Get Better Grades Now website.
Here are a few ways you can help your brain to better hold on to memories so you can remember better.
Meditation
Because your brain is wired only to keep what is considered essential and let everything else go, some memories, such as names and numbers, can easily be forgotten through no fault of your own.
But you can convince it to keep more memories by doing something as simple as meditation. This kind of activity helps your mind to concentrate - thereby helping you to hold on to memories better. That’s what studying is all about. Remembering the information you repeated to your brain.
As with all good things in life, improving your memory recall will take time. If you stick to meditating regularly, you can boost your memory after about 2 weeks - not a bad time frame, to be honest.
Get in some caffeine
Yes, drinking too much coffee is never a good idea, but when taken in moderation, caffeine can improve memory. However, there is a trick to it. It is believed that if you take coffee AFTER creating new memories, it will help you keep them for longer. Drinking coffee or taking a caffeine pill before making new memories won’t give you the desired effects.
Change your diet
This is a good idea for people of any age and any weight. Changing your diet can make a difference in your life that you don’t always realize - it helps your memory and your body too.
By cutting out as much sugar as possible, you will be able to help prevent cognitive decline - which means bad memory.
You can also eat berries for improved long-term memory. This is not a commonly-known fact, but blueberries or strawberries added to a diet can improve your memory performance after 3 weeks. Rather stick with blueberries, though, as the research on strawberries isn’t as reliable. Some say you’d have to eat about 10 pounds a day for it to have a good effect on your memory.
Exercise often
We all know how good exercise is for the body, and it’s great for the mind as well. Getting in regular exercise is great for your brain, and will help with more than just your memory. Make sure to get at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 to 4 times per week to keep your body and mind fit.
Try not to cram
It is better for your brain if you study over more than one session rather than trying to cram everything in during a ‘cram session’. When studying over time, you give your brain a better chance to process all the information and store it away. Instead of having a marathon studying session, have several sessions spread out over a period of time.
Catch enough zzzs
Sleeping is super important when it comes to studying. Your brain stores your memories and strengthens them when you’re sleeping, so getting enough sleep is vital for good memory. Focus on getting those 8 hours of sleep every night and consider taking naps, so your brain has adequate resting and storing time.
Conclusion
Having a good memory and getting good grades is possible for anyone, even if you think you’re not ‘gifted’. Just check out the Get Better Grades Now website for proof and more information. You just need to approach things the right way. Having a ‘can do’ attitude always helps as well.
By exercising, meditating, eating healthy, and studying over a longer period, you’ll be able to recall your memories better and ace your tests. And remember to get enough sleep too as this is one of the most important parts of the process.
Our brains work really hard all day, taking in and interpreting stimuli. At night when we sleep, the brain is recovering from the day’s activities, revitalizing and refreshing for the next day, so remember to get in the right amount of sleep every single night.