Six easy ways to improve your memory

Are you blanking on names? Do you often leave your phone in a cab? These latest science based tricks will really turn your mind into sharp thinking ahead of you.

1. Play brain games

Puzzles such as Sudoku or crosswords can improve your memory and delay brain decline, but experts are not yet sure why. It is a chance that playing them activates synapses in your whole brain, including the memory areas. Some studies have found that, while doing crossword puzzles makes you better at remembering the capital of any country, there is little evidence they will boost your performance at more general tasks, such as remembering where you put your keys. But a 2012 study showed that participants who played one of computer games for 6 years improved their concentration so much that they had a 53 percent lower rate of car accidents. So you can decide to try an online brain training program; creators of these programs always claim that 96 percent of users improve their memory in just 9 hours of playing time. First you should answer a few questions to identify which of your cognitive processes, including memory, can use a little help. Then you receive a personalized training regimen. A ten-minute daily series of games is free and a more advanced program is available for some price. The games are very fun and are based on what researchers have found to improve concentration and different cognitive skills.

2. Eat the right foods

According to doctors memory super-foods should be rich in antioxidant, colorful vegetables and fruits, which protect the brain from harmful free radicals. They also are enthusiastic about low glycemic carbohydrates, such as oatmeal and everything with omega-3 fatties. In fact, one recent study found that people with low levels of omega-3s have brain that appears to be a full 2 years older in MRI scans. That is incentive enough for people to follow the memory enhancing diet, which claims it works in just 2 weeks. As the Mediterranean diet, it is heavy on produce, legumes, nuts and fish. It is low on meat, since meat’s omega-6 fatty acids can contribute to brain inflammation, a possible mechanism for Alzheimer’s disease. Such sugars produce a similar effect, so they are also out. Eat a farmers market’s worth of blueberries, spinach, avocado and beets and consume enough fish to sprout gills. You can also take 2.5 micrograms of vitamin B12, the standard recommended dose as studies show people with low levels perform poorly on memory tests, and international units of vitamin D, to boost cognitive function.

3. Get more sleep

Researchers have discovered that losing half your night’s sleep on just 1 evening can erode memory. One journal recently reported that the way to slow decline in aging adults is to improve the length and quality of sleep. Having a deep eight hour sleep helps your brain to shift memories from temporary to longer-term storage.

4. Master a new skill

A recent Swedish study found that adults who learn a new language show improved memory for people’s names, among same things. Any activity which is practiced diligently, like skiing or knitting, will definitely have the same effect.

5. Hit the gym

Researchers recently discovered that a little workout might yield big mental benefits. They had a group of people ride stationary bikes for 6 minutes, while another group cooled their heels. In the end, the active group performed significantly better on a memory test. The researchers think the boost might be tied to an exercise induced brain chemical that has a strong influence on memory. Exercise is the best memory aid of all. It can increase your brain size and the bigger your brain is the greater is your capacity to remember. It is recommended at least 20- minute-brisk walking a day.

6. Quit multitasking

Main reason most of you can’t remember where your keys are- you are not paying attention when you put them down. When you put them down, stop and say out loud, ‘I’m leaving my keys wherever you are placing them. Studies show that it takes 8 seconds to fully commit a piece of information to the memory, so concentrating on the task at hand is important.