If you are like most people, you could use some tips on improving your memory. Most of us have at one time or another lost our car keys, forgot where we parked our car, forgotten an item at the grocery store, or forgotten someone’s name. There are things we can do however, that will help us remember important events, as well as everyday chores and appointments.

Here are five tips to help you improve your memory:

1) Pay attention. This means being aware of your surroundings, being conscious of where your park your car in a parking lot, where you put your keys and really listen when being introduced to someone new. Repeat their name out loud to help you remember it for the next time you meet.

2) Make visual clues. If you have an important appointment coming up or have something important that you must remember, place a colorful sticky note on the steering wheel of your car, the receiver of your telephone, your bathroom mirror, or your shoe; anywhere where you will be likely to find them. Don’t place just one note, place several of them around the house or in your office.

3) Use a timer. Timers can be a wonderful tool to use when we want to remember to make a phone call, catch the rinse cycle on the washing machine, or record our favorite television show.

4) Carry a notebook to use when you are away from home. Keep it in your car, wallet or purse. When something comes up that you need to remember, jot it down and transfer the event into your calendar when you get home.

5) Use a calendar for birthdays and anniversaries. Write down your loved ones’ names, birthdates, and anniversaries on this calendar. You can even go one step further and in January, look through the calendar and purchase all the cards you will need for the coming year along with stamps and envelopes. That way you will not have to rush out at the last minute buying cards and getting them into the mail a day late!

Improving your memory takes some time and effort, but if you make a habit of doing even just one or two things from the above list, you will find you will have a better memory and you will never forget a birthday or a name again; and you will always get what you need from the grocery store!

The brain, just like the rest of the human body, needs the appropriate nutrients to function properly. It is subject to deterioration as the cellular tissues undergo wear and tear with age. The brain needs the correct vitamins and minerals to replenish damaged cells. By eating the right kinds of food, you can help repair these damages and enhance your memory in the process.

There are many foods and vitamins that help improve memory. These include:

-Vegetables, especially spinach and onions. According to studies, spinach is known to prevent and reverse memory loss. Eating ½ cup of cooked spinach helps meet 2/3 of your daily folate requirements. Many Alzheimer’s patients include spinach in their daily diet. Onions have a natural chemical called fisetin that stimulates neuro-pathways that enhance long-term memory.

-Omega-3 acids. A study published in the April 2007 Journal of Neuroscience showed that a diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the development of memory loss. Good sources of omega-3 include fish (especially salmon and herring), flax, and eggs. Including these foods at least three times in your weekly diet will greatly contribute to maintaining a healthy brain and body.

-Berries, such as blackberries and strawberries, are a good source of antioxidants that help boost memory power. The antioxidant in blueberries is anthocyanin, which aids in improving brain function. Strawberries are rich in fisetin, just like onions. Other fruits and vegetables rich in fisetin include cantaloupe, black currants, kale, tomatoes, grapes, sweet potatoes, and oranges.

-The B vitamin family, especially B6, B12, and folic acid. These vitamins prevent neurons from breaking down, forbidding toxins to pollute the brain. They are also responsible for the formation of red blood cells and proper blood and oxygen circulation.

-Vitamins A,C, and E are rich in antioxidants that destroy free radicals in the body. When present, free radicals destroy healthy cells and tissues. If not neutralized, they will eventually make their way to the brain. Foods that are rich in antioxidants include broccoli, nuts, and citrus fruits.

-Coffee. Some studies show that coffee can help you focus and stay alert. Intake should be limited to one or two cups daily. Also, coffee has antioxidants that could be beneficial to the body.

When choosing the right type of food, it is important to take note of what your brain needs in order to function properly and efficiently. A diet filled with fruits, vegetables and vitamins is essential for retaining and storing memories, as well as enhancing short term and long term memory.

Studies have shown that the brain can retain millions of bits of information. It is compared by experts to a computer that can easily store everything. Unlike any computer, however, boosting your memory can’t be done by adding a chip. Improving your brain requires some effort.

The memory of a human being is the mental activity that is responsible for recalling information that an individual has acquired through learning and experience in his/her day to day activities. Enhancing the brain to have a better memory is like putting your brain into an exercise routine. The more you use your brain the more it will be able to process information and recall and retain memories.

One way of enhancing your memory is to constantly challenge your brain to do
things that are out of your ordinary routine. Like muscles, the mind adapts to routines and needs stimulation. In this way you are able to challenge the synapses of your brain to stay alert.

Example: Instead of using your sense of sight when walking through your house, try to walk with your eyes closed. The neurons of your brain will try to recall where each piece of furniture is located in order for you not to get hurt or break anything.

This way the brain cells that have not been used are able to stay active and healthy. This type of mind stimulation is called Neurobic exercise. It enables the brain to use synapses and brain cells to function better by retrieving stored memory and recall details.

Here are some additional ways to improve your memory:
- Pay attention to details
- Involve all your senses in learning
- Connect new information to that which you already know
- Organize information efficiently

Be motivited to learn new things and exercise your mind daily!