How to Improve Your Brain

Never forget again!

Most people want to know how to improve their brain. Trouble is, most want improvement without actually having to do anything! And they want it NOW.

Well, there are some quick fixes that you can do today – and there are hints about some ways of doing things that will give you longer term improvement. No-one has to accept forgetfulness as a way of life, particularly if you are entering your 50’s and 60’s. Read more…

For a Youthful Memory, Just Say ‘No’.

Actually, to be polite, that should really be, No thanks.

Growing up in this day and age, there are so many crazy and amazing things out there to try and it’s a sure bet that most of you will have suffered from the odd hangover, or been tempted to de-stress using medication, marijuana or herbal substances. It’s really hard to say ‘No, thanks’ but if you are really serious about regrowing and rejuvenating your memory, then ‘No’ it must be.

Here’s why. Read more…

Test Your Memory, True or False?

I don’t know about you, but I’ve heard a lot a dumb things said about memory. Until I did a lot more study, I didn’t know what was true and what wasn’t – and, in truth, I didn’t really care! The other day, though, I was signing some checks when the phone rang. I chatted to my friend for a few minutes or so, arranged a time to meet for coffee, ended the call then promptly signed the next check with my friend’s name. I couldn’t believe it. What was I thinking of and where was my memory when I needed it? Read more…

Keep That Boomer Brain Growing.

It seems a long time since I was in grade school but I can remember having a science class where the teacher handed round a model of a human brain. It looked kind of creepy and I wasn’t keen to touch it. But I can still hear him talking about how we, at about eleven, had all the brain cells we’d ever have in our lives. Not only that but we’d lose about 10,000 of them every day. I had visions of me losing cells all over the classroom and my house! Read more…

How To Remember, 101

How To Remember in 4 Easy Steps.

Get these right and you won’t forget important dates again!

You mightn’t realize it, but your brain is designed to forget – that’s right, to forget!

No, it’s not a misprint – your brain is working hard all day forgetting things so that you are not having a brain overload malfunction.
Imagine what it would be like if your memory remembered every detail of every moment of your day. It would be like a camera clicking every nanosecond.

Your clever brain filters out everything it thinks you don’t need.

So you have to give your brain clear signals about the things you want to remember.
How do you do that?
Well, it’s a big topic to cover here (full story in Seven Second Memory) but grab these 4 easy ways to help you remember:

1. Focus on what you need to remember.

Don’t expect to listen or look for a second or so and expect to remember. You need to concentrate for seven seconds if you want to remember something later. Try it, it will seem a long time but, if you spend this time repeating, connecting or visualizing the data, you will remember it.

2. Use ONE diary.

Put everything in there so that you are not looking through several places each time you want to check something.

3. Get your surroundings organized.

Establish places for all of the items that you regularly lose, and use them! Hooks for your keys, drawer for your wallet, mobile, glasses and diary – all need a defined place where you put them. Concentrate while you place them there!

4. Give your brain some help!

To remember appointments ahead of time (using your prospective memory) give your brain as many ‘hooks’ as you can. In your mind , embed the details of the appointment in as many ways as you can. I’m meeting the accountant on Thursday at 9.30 am. What is his/her name? Where will I park the car? Which floor of the building is it on? What do I need to take? What questions will I ask? Where will I go once I have left that appointment at 10.30? Use as many senses as you can – visualize the clock, building and face of the accountant, ‘hear’ the questions you will ask, ‘feel’ the papers you will need to take, and so on. Are you already thinking that you haven’t a spare seven seconds to do this?? Well, think of how many minutes you waste trying to remember the time, day, location and name if you haven’t committed them to memory. It’s a no-brainer!

Forgetfulness can ruin your confidence and your life.

When you forget something important, you feel all at sea and your confidence can take a serious hit.

But this does not have to be the story of your life. Taking a few easy actions can quickly provide certainty in your memory, every day.

For many more tips and fuller explanations of how you can regain your youthful memory, get Seven Second Memory Plus Six Other Powerful Memory Techniques. Rewire Your Brain For a Youthful Mind. Dr. Allison Lamont, PhD & Gillian M. Eadie, 2009.

You’ll be glad you did!

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This article was reproduced with permission of its author Gillian Eadie, founder of the Brain and Memory Foundation. Gillian is an award-winning educator with more than 20 years as a principal at several prestigious private schools and is a Churchill Fellow. For more free help and personal advice on getting organized, never losing things again and improving your memory, please visit the Brain and Memory Foundation.