7 Tips on How to Train Your Brain and Improve Your Memory

Our memory is the part of the brain where we encode, store and retrieve information. There are two types: our short term (or working memory) and long-term memory. Short-term memory is how we remember things temporarily, and it is thought that we can hold around seven items here at any one time. When we no longer need this information however, it leaves us – unless it makes it to our long-term memory. When we keep coming back to information, this can be committed to a more permanent part of our brain.

There are many ways that we can boost our brain power and improve our short and long-term memory, so here are seven ways that you can start today!

Eating brain foods

There are some foods considered to be better than others for our memory, and therefore the preservation of our brains. According to research, the following “superfoods” can help:

Green, leafy vegetables: These, as well as other plant-based foods, can potentially help your memory. This is because they are rich in healthy nutrients that are thought to slow cognitive decline.

Berries: We hear a lot about flavonoids when it comes to our brain, which are the natural plant pigments in berries. In a 2012 study published in the Annals of Neurology, researchers found that women who consumed two or more servings of strawberries and blueberries per week were able to delay their memory decline.

Omega-3: Fatty fish offers a lot of Omega-3 acids, which are healthy unsaturated fats thought to improve memory. It is recommended that you try to eat fish at least twice per week, but choose those low in mercury such as salmon, cod or canned tuna. Alternatively, if you don’t like fish, talk to a medical professional about taking a supplement instead.

Exercising regularly

It sometimes feels like the answer to everything is exercise, but it really does help in every way. Not only does it improve our fitness and get those good endorphins flowing – but the secretion of neuroprotective proteins could also help our cognitive abilities. In fact, research at the University of British Columbia has found that regular aerobic exercise could boost the size of the brain area that helps us with memory.

Utilising brain training apps

However, not everything we do has to be about eating healthy and exercising. Why not give your brain a workout instead? One trial found that people who did 15 minutes of brain training activities 5 days per week were able to see improvements in their brain function. There are many great ways you can try this, including the likes of websites Lumosity and Game Show.

Playing board games

What could be better than boosting your brain power and improving your memory, while having fun with friends or family? In fact, it seems boards games could well be a winning combo. Firstly, the areas of the brain responsible for memory formation is the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are what we use when we play. Secondly, board games have the added benefit of being sociable, and one study suggests that those with very active social lives have the slowest memory decline. And considering a recent survey has shown the top emotions evoked when playing board games was satisfaction (82{54c12dad2cc2b53ae830e39915b1a3e70288dbcbbeb8bbf8395437c5dc3c512c}), friendliness (81{54c12dad2cc2b53ae830e39915b1a3e70288dbcbbeb8bbf8395437c5dc3c512c}) and enthusiasm (76{54c12dad2cc2b53ae830e39915b1a3e70288dbcbbeb8bbf8395437c5dc3c512c}), it seems game playing is beneficial all round.

Becoming mindful with meditation

One way to improve your memory is through meditation. A recent study found that just a couple of weeks of meditation training can better your cognitive abilities. This is not surprising really, since so much of meditation is about focusing for longer, without letting other (less important!) distractions in. There are many ways that you can learn meditation, even doing it from the comfort of your own home using apps such as The Mindfulness App, Headspace or Calm.

Sleeping for a scheduled amount of time

Some people make the mistake of skipping on sleep to cram more into their day. However, this doesn’t only compromise your physical and mental wellbeing, but your creativity, problem-solving and memory skills, too. According to Harvard, adults need 7.5-8.5 hours in order to be at their functioning best. There are some rules you can put in place to help; try to go to bed at the same time every night, as well as avoiding any devices before bedtime, particularly those that emit a blue light.

Finding a new hobby

Finally, brain exercises should involve something you need to learn, rather than something you’ve already mastered. Choose a new hobby – whether that be learning an instrument, a language or even a craft. Challenging tasks that require you to work through levels or stages offers the perfect opportunity to push yourself a little further each time, in turn, expanding your memory.

Sources:

‘How Memory Works’
https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/how-memory-works

‘Your Short-Term Memory Can Only Hold 7 Items’
https://curiosity.com/topics/your-short-term-memory-can-only-hold-7-items-but-you-can-use-this-trick-curiosity/

‘Foods Linked to Better Brain Power’
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/foods-linked-to-better-brainpower

‘Role of Exercise on the Brain’
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5091051/

Regular Exercise Changes the Brain to Improve Memory, Thinking Skills
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

‘Mental Exercising Through Simple Socializing’
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0146167207310454

‘Playing Board Games, Cognitive Decline and Dementia’
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/8/e002998

‘Top 10 Health Benefits of Board Games’
https://howgameareyou.com/health-benefits-board-games/


GET THE BOOK BY
ERIN FALCONER!

Erin shows overscheduled, overwhelmed women how to do less so that they can achieve more. Traditional productivity books—written by men—barely touch the tangle of cultural pressures that women feel when facing down a to-do list. How to Get Sh*t Done will teach you how to zero in on the three areas of your life where you want to excel, and then it will show you how to off-load, outsource, or just stop giving a damn about the rest.

44 Responses to 7 Tips on How to Train Your Brain and Improve Your Memory

  1. Stephenpep says:

    goodrx viagra canadian pharmacy viagra generic viagra without a doctor prescription

  2. GeorgeTef says:

    viagra price viagra viagra without a prescription

  3. JeremyUrgem says:

    how long does 20mg cialis keep in system cheap cialis fda warning list cialis

  4. EdwardOpeta says:

    generic viagra without a doctor prescription cheap viagra viagra prescription

  5. Samueleledy says:

    non prescription ed drugs prescription meds without the prescriptions ed treatment pills

  6. Rogergaisk says:

    cheap viagra online canadian pharmacy generic viagra canadian pharmacy generic viagra
    carprofen without vet prescription

  7. Rogergaisk says:

    generic viagra india viagra canada non prescription viagra
    ed treatment pills

  8. Rogergaisk says:

    when will viagra be generic viagra canadian viagra
    mens erection pills

  9. Rogergaisk says:

    viagra amazon buy ed pills online how to get viagra
    online drugs

  10. PeterATROX says:

    canadian viagra cialis buy cialis how long does 20mg cialis keep in system

  11. PeterATROX says:

    legitimate cialis by mail cialis $200 cialis coupon

  12. ThomasFub says:

    canadian drug pharmacy ed medications online over the counter ed remedies
    best erectile dysfunction pills

  13. ThomasFub says:

    ed medication canadian drugstore online levitra without a doctor prescription
    ed trial pack

  14. ThomasVah says:

    where can you buy valtrex how to get valtrex prescription online

  15. ThomasVah says:

    zantac zantac

  16. ThomasVah says:

    generic zantac online generic zantac recall

  17. Roberttup says:

    sildenafil pharmacy sildenafil for sale

  18. Roberttup says:

    payday loans cash advance

  19. Roberttup says:

    instant online payday loans personal loans for bad credit

  20. Roberttup says:

    cheap sildenafil sildenafil for sale

  21. Douglasgot says:

    drug medication https://sildenafilxxl.com/ where can i buy viagra

  22. BrianSlupt says:

    anti fungal pills without prescription canada drug pharmacy erectile dysfunction treatment

  23. BrianSlupt says:

    what type of medicine is prescribed for allergies canada drugs online erectile dysfunction remedies

  24. BrianSlupt says:

    best online pharmacy cheap generic drugs from india website

  25. BrianSlupt says:

    no prescription viagra generic viagra mail order viagra

  26. BrianSlupt says:

    top ed drugs best canadian pharmacy ed medications online

  27. Philipvax says:

    cheap erectile dysfunction: cheap pet meds without vet prescription best male enhancement pills

  28. DanielGog says:

    cialis ingredient generic cialis black 800mg which is better – cialis or viagra

  29. DanielGog says:

    natural ed pills canadian pharmacies shipping to usa buy prescription drugs without doctor

  30. DanielGog says:

    cialis maximum dosage low cost cialis nose congested when taking cialis

  31. DanielGog says:

    viagra online usa viagra online usa amazon viagra

  32. DanielGog says:

    viagra 100mg price how much viagra should i take the first time? online viagra

  33. DanielGog says:

    canadian viagra cialis how much does cialis cost at walmart how often to take 10mg cialis

  34. DanielGog says:

    natural cures for ed canadian online pharmacies online drugs

  35. Thanks admin for sharing this useful information

  36. Tech Apk PC says:

    Great article. This blog is filled with unique and high-quality articles.

  37. Jennifer says:

    These tips are really helpful for anyone looking to boost their memory. I’ve tried a few techniques like regular exercises and mental games, and I noticed an improvement in my focus. It’s true that our brains can get better with practice. Thanks for sharing these insights.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.