Tips on How to Improve Your Memory

Science says that the almost 100 billion brain cells or neurons are indefatigable. This is because they perform several functions even when we are asleep. It is the center of our central nervous system particularly the hypothalamus where stimuli are recognized and acted upon.

Without the brain, we could feel nothing, hear nothing, see nothing and sense nothing. Aside from these vital functions the brain is also responsible for memory retention. The brain is composed of cells, tissues and muscles and just like any other muscle; it should be exercised to retain its "tone and elasticity". In the case of the brain, to retain its ability for memory retention. The hippocampus is the specific part of the brain that should be exercised.

The scariest occurrence that could happen to a person is to lose his memory like in the case of Alzheimer's disease because of old age and genetic factors.

How can you improve your memory then? Of course, by exercising those brain cells! The more they are exercised, the more they'll grow stronger; the more they become developed and sharp. These are methods in which you can improve your memory.

1. Taking in multi-vitamins, specifically Vitamin E can be beneficial for the brain. This is because it is an antioxidant which helps to oxygenate the brain thereby improving brain function and consequently memory. In the same way that nuts, vegetables and fruits act as antioxidants too and are therefore helpful in improving memory.

2. The right hippocampus is specifically responsible for long term memories. It remembers things through association; emotions or sensations felt from an incident would associate it with the event and a person remembers. A scent would bring in memories and a sound could make one remember. That is why when you want to remember something, practice on remembering through association. Try to retain the feeling, sound, scent and sense of touch.

That is why events that evoke deep feelings and sensations are often most remembered than those that do not. We could never forget a person who had hurt us intensely.

Practice focusing on the feeling caused, if you want to retain the memory of that thing or event forever.

3. The left hippocampus is in turn responsible for short term memory, like name of persons, places, etc. This could be improved too through association and practice. Associate the face with something you are familiar with and you will remember his name easily.

4. Perform mind exercises, as previously mentioned; i .e. Let's say you wanted to remember the particular order that these words were mentioned to you; brain, hypothalamus and hippocampus. You could create a sentence like this: The "brain" accompanied " hypothalamus" to the camp called "hippocampus". This may sound funny but if you get used to it, you will find it helpful in improving your memory.

5. Solve crossword puzzles or any word game. This will exercise your brain cells. You could also play timed word games which will motivate you think fast and impromptu.

6. Play memory games like funmatch, memory pairs, memory solitaire and many more. These are easily available on line, most of them are free. You'll have a difficult time at first but once you've got the hang of it, your memory will improve by leaps and bounds.

7. Don't take in drugs that could make your brain fuzzy, like prohibited drugs (marijuana, heroin), or drink alcohol. Alcohol causes malnutrition which could lead to the deficiency of vitamins, proteins and essential nutrients for normal brain function.

Memory could be developed by utilizing the above-mentioned methods. It is however imperative that a healthy body should also be maintained as a healthy body denotes a healthy mind.