Did You Know?
An adult can remember twenty to one hundred thousand words. |
How To Improve Memory- Why Is It Important?
Memory is our ability to store, recall, recode, and remember past experiences. Previously learned facts, figures, impressions, experiences, skills, and habits are the most treasured and prized possessions for every individual and they can be stored and retrieved as and when required only if a person has a good memory.
A sharp memory can help you recall not only what you learn and but also hold on to precious moments that happened in the past during your lifetime. However, with the growing complexities in coping up with the challenges of today’s world, memory loss has become a common feature among individuals of every age group in today’s era.
According to the researchers of the University of Texas(1), our past experiences or memories instigate our learning process and are interlinked. The human brain relates to past experiences when gaining new information to derive new knowledge.
This memory-binding process permits people to comprehend new concepts in a much better manner, which in turn affects their future decisions. This innovative concept of the learning process can make a huge difference in caring and curing medical conditions relating to neurology. Hence, having a strong memory is extremely important to build new memories through consistent learning.
CURE 1: Alternative Therapies
Safeguarding your existing memories and building new ones for future reference; both can be enhanced by adopting these natural tips in our day to day living.
Here are some of the most helpful natural tips that can improve and restore short term memory loss in humans.
1. Music
Why does it work?
Music has proven to stimulate parts of the human brain and even enhance memory, especially in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia. It changes the chemistry of the brain. It has been observed that music releases the ‘feel-good hormone’ called dopamine, which gets activated from pleasurable experiences like sex, food, etc.
How to use and how much to use?
There is no fixed period to listen to music or a specified amount as to how much of it you should listen to every day. You can do it whenever you have spare time like while driving to and from work, or while relaxing after office hours in the confines of your home.
However, it has been seen that a background score can motivate and improve mood. Music can even help in endurance, especially during long study sessions and can help in memorization as well.
2. Brain Training
Why does it work?
Exercising your cognitive skills by playing brain games like Tetris, Crosswords, word-recall games, etc. can improve and strengthen memory drastically. The reason behind this is it compels the brain to exercise, work, and remain active.
How to use and how much to use?
Including a brain training game in your everyday routine for 15 minutes at least 5 days a week can improve working memory, short-term memory, concentration span, as well as problem-solving capabilities in an adult. It can even reduce the risks of having dementia.
You can play online memory strengthening games like Tetris or block building or offline games like solving crossword puzzles, word-recall games, etc.
3. Meditation
Why does it work?
Meditation reduces stress and improves memory by increasing the gray matter that contain neuron cell bodies.
How to use and how much to use?
Meditating, or engaging in mindfulness everyday for at least 15 minutes during the morning hours can improve memory to a great extent. It has been observed that students practising meditation regularly had significant spatial working memory.
Spatial working memory is the ability of the mind/brain to grasp, hold and process information about the positions of objects in space.
[Read: Guided Meditation for Relaxation]
Walking through a doorway triggers the brain to forget |
CURE 2: Supplements
Let’s see how to improve memory with the following natural supplements.
1. Vitamin B
Why does it work?
Vitamin B-12 consists of cobalamin, which, if not present in sufficient amounts in the body, can lead to memory loss. In other words, having enough B-12 can lead to improvement of memory.
How to use and how much to use?
Having Vitamin B-12 tablets is the last option if the B-12 levels in the body are very low. Also, these should be taken after consulting a doctor. However, introducing foods rich in Vitamin B12 like fish and poultry and fortified cereals in your daily diet can work well.
[Read: Supplements for Brain Fog]
2. Vitamin D
Why does it work?
Low Vitamin D(2) levels lead to low memory and other cognitive abilities.
How to use and how much to use?
Vitamin D should be included in your daily diet intake through foods rich in Vitamin D like cheese, fatty fish, egg yolks, etc. Alternatively, one can even have Vitamin D tablets to make up for the low levels. The dosage should be taken after consulting a physician.
[Read: Vitamins for Brain Fog]
3. Omega 3 Acids
Why does it work?
Omega 3 acids have eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which improve brain and mental health incredibly.
How to use and how much to use?
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fish oil tablets which can be taken on a daily basis to keep up with the body requirements for omega 3 acids. Alternatively, these are primarily found in fish like sardines, salmon, mackerel, etc., which can be made a part of your daily diet during meal time.
The peak age for facial and name recognition is between 30 to 35 |
CURE 3: Foods
There are many food articles that can help improve memory if taken on a regular basis. They not only enhance memory but also protect from short term memory loss.
[Also Read: How to Get Rid of Brain Fog Naturally]
1. Coconut oil
Why does it work?
The fatty acids present in coconut oil are believed to improve memory and even boost brain function in Alzheimer’s disease patients. Coconut oil contains boosting ketones which improves cognitive functions.
How to use and how much to use?
Food can be cooked in coconut oil on a regular basis to fulfill the everyday quota of coconut oil intake required for a healthy brain.
As per experts, a minimum of 35 grams of coconut oil should be consumed in any form to enhance and improve memory.
2. Blueberries
Why does it work?
Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which serve as antioxidants that act against oxidative stress and inflammation. This helps in improving communication between brain cells and helps in delaying short term memory loss.
How to use and how much to use?
Blueberries must be made a part of your daily diet. You can either aa a handful of them on your breakfast cereal or make a smoothie out of it.
[Read: Coconut Oil for Alzheimer’s Disease]
3. Coffee
Why does it work?
Coffee contains caffeine and antioxidants that help in increasing alertness, improving mood, and sharpening concentration. Even the risk of having diseases like Alcheimer’s and Parkinson’s can be reduced to a great extent by consistently having coffee over a long term.
How to use and how much to use?
It is good to have a cup of coffee early in the morning or during the day time. However, coffee should be avoided during late evenings.
‘Love at first sight’ is a fabrication of the human brain |