Improve Your Memory by Jane Thurnell-Read

It can be totally infuriating when you can't remember something that you could remember perfectly clearly an hour ago or yesterday or last week, but what to do about it?

Sometimes memory lapses are caused by trying to think of too many things at once. When you want to remember something, be present with what is happening. Sometimes the reason you can’t remember something is simply because you didn’t pay enough attention initially.

One reason we may have problems remembering things is because we have too much to do. Our minds are clogged up. It often takes less energy to do a niggling job than spend energy continually remembering that you have to do it. So get some of those little jobs done, so your brain can remember the important stuff more easily.

Gary Small, a psychiatrist at the University of California, Los Angeles, says that stress hormones have been shown to reduce short-term memory. If you find you are forgetting things more than you want to, consider whether it could be down to too much stress in your life and ask yourself what you can do about it. Try our simple stress relief tip too.

Do you get to the supermarket and find you have forgotten something important that you intended to buy? Do you phone a friend and can’t remember what you were going to say? These sorts of small situations can be extremely annoying, but, rather than getting cross with yourself, think back to where you were when you first had the thought. You’ll probably be surprised how often  it pops back into your head.

Packing for a trip can be very fraught and lead to you forgetting things. Making lists always seems like a great idea, but one that I personally hardly ever follow. Over the years I’ve evolved a strategy that works well for me. Before I go I fast forward the trip in my mind waiting to experience the moment when I think “Oh no I’ve forgotten X”. Then I go and pack whatever X is and try it again to see if I can “recover” anything else.  Bizarre as this seems it does really work, give it a try.

A study, published in Psychological Science and conducted by University of Michigan researchers, found that when people spent time in nature, as opposed to an urban environment, their attention and memory improved. Thirty-eight students participated in the experiment, in which they had to listen to a string of numbers and then repeat them backwards. This task served as a measure of the participants’ ability to focus their attention, and also tested their working memory. After completing this task, the participants were asked to walk through either downtown Ann Arbor (USA) or an arboretum equally distant from the campus. Once they returned, they performed the task again.

Most people feel that their memory is bound to get worse as they get older, but the Harvard Medical School newsletter says:"Myths about aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do worse on memory tasks when they’re exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and memory, and better when the messages are positive about memory preservation into old age."

Many people have problems remembering if they’ve taken their medication or nutritional supplements. Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that doing something unusual, like knocking on wood or patting yourself on the head, while taking a daily dose of medicine helped seniors remember whether they've already taken their daily medications.

Nutritional supplements may also be helpful in improving your memory. A shortage of vitamin B complex in your diet can lead to memory and concentration problems, as well as a host of other problems such as asthma, headaches, mood swings and tiredness. Ginkgo biloba is a herb that has traditionally been used to help the memory particularly in older people. Star flower oil capsules may help particularly if you also have dry skin and/or arthritis. Coenzyme Q10 supplements may help older people. Our bodies production of CoQ 10 slows as we get older, so supplementation may be worth trying if you feel you are getting older and more tired and forgetful.

Copyright 2010 Jane Thurnell-Read
Get a different health and happiness tip delivered to your inbox every day.