Does it feel like new information has been sliding in one ear and out the other? Or that events and faces have started to blend together like a blurry movie montage from the ’70s? To sharpen your memory and feel more present day to day, follow these tips: Lighten your load. Your information load, that is. News, facts, and figures pour in from all angles these days, including from that tiny computer you’re probably clutching right now (your smartphone!). This can send your brainpower on a downward spiral: With information bouncing around in your mind like popcorn, and constant clicks reducing your attention span, you become less “present” in the present. Set the tone for the day by meditating for 10 minutes in the morning, and carve out information-free times throughout the day. Walk around the block without your phone, sit in silence and breathe deeply for a few minutes, or do some gentle stretches far from the TV or computer. Jog your memory. Or walk, bike, or swim…for at least two hours a week. Regular exercise creates chemical changes that boost brainpower on many levels, including memory. And if you’re preparing for a test and happen to have a flexible schedule, you may want to exercise precisely four hours after studying. A recent study showed that doing so may be especially good for retaining information. Prioritize shut-eye. Sleep is to memory like…oxygen is to breathing? Maybe so. Sound shut-eye is essential for retaining information. Since research shows that memories are consolidated during sleep, resist the urge to burn the midnight oil, whether you’re trying to finish a work project or get through the last few episodes of your favorite show (two…four…who’s counting?). When bedtime arrives, remind yourself that your brain has work to do and start winding down! Make memories — and keep them! Retain more information, and savor your experiences with these three strategies.
25 Wednesday Jan 2017