The elements that affect memory and thinking have also been studied. Cognitive training, pharmacotherapy, nutrition, managing stress, and activity are just a few effective methods that enhance remembering, and each method may lead to impairment in its unique manner.
Memory Improvement refers to various techniques and external support that can help a patient to improve memory. These techniques do not show instant results, but they are known to be effective in the long duration. There are hundreds of techniques that have been tested to improve memory, and however, only a few of them have proved to be effective. This blog will cover various methods to help a patient improve memory effectively.
Major factors that affect memory improvement are −
The brain, particularly its cognitive processing, has been found to suffer from long-term exposure to stress. The continual release of adrenal steroid anxiety chemicals might cause permanent damage to the hippocampus. The stress hormone cortisol is produced in greater quantities in reaction to increased glucocorticoids, and glucocorticoids are recognized to impact memory. Decreased hippocampus volume and abnormalities in accessory drive memory (such as poor declarative, temporal, geographical, and contextual memory function) have been linked to chronic anxiety and elevated cortisol.
Quick and working memory functions, including selective attention, retention of information, and protracted potentiation, are all reduced by the adrenal hormones released in response to acute stress, the more prevalent kind of stress. A human's poor memory is restricted, leading to a state of the ongoing stimulus−processing contest. Divided attention and other cognitive control mechanisms help mitigate this rivalry by determining which mental activities have the highest priority. Paying close attention is essential for effective recognition memory as it improves memory encoding and retention. For this reason, the key to effective memorization is paying attention to the most pertinent details and ignoring the rest.
Strategies for memory improvement are −
The origin of psychological treatment may be traced back to the discovery that the brain is malleable and open to new experiences. Clinical groups with memory and learning impairments may benefit from cbt, which has been shown to enhance memory task effectiveness and cognitive abilities and functions. Concentration, speed of processing, biofeedback, multitasking, and sensory training are all areas that might benefit from cognitive training. Memory and other cognitive skills gained via training be enhanced for as long as five years afterward. One study used three distinct types of instruction to test the hypothesis that cbt improves cognitive abilities in older persons. Gains in mental capabilities persisted over the term and benefited users in their day−to−day lives. These findings imply that education might be useful for enhancing memory since it can lead to rapid and long-lasting gains in all forms of cognitive capacity.
Mind mapping is "a graphical representation of a network of ideas, in which the nodes are important concepts, and the links are words." They focus on a central theme or concept and radiate outward to provide more details. Each line then has fresh material at the conclusion, expanding on the previous notion or idea. These associations are often little more than a word or two long, providing the bare minimum for easy recall. Connections between concepts may also be made at each line's terminus. Since this has the potential to attract attention, it might prove extremely valuable. Making these charts is helpful because it promotes the development of analytical and synthesis skills essential to achieving deeper and more lasting knowledge. In addition to making it easier to commit information to good memory, visualizations may also reveal gaps in knowledge in a clear, visual format. Evidence shows that visualizations may increase one's efficiency in tackling novel problems.
Following are some of the major methods of memory improvement −
Sticking to the same schedule every day.
Maintaining a routine by always storing a set of essentials in the same spot.
Keep scheduled meetings, due dates, and bill payments by writing them down, typing them into a spreadsheet, or using a physical calendar.
Attempting to pick up a new interest or talent.
Keeping mentally active by doing things one like.
Holding down a full social calendar.
Developing good nighttime routines.
Around a nightly average of 7 hours of sleep.
Spending at least two hours every week working out.
Maintain good health by consuming a balanced diet.
Keeping one's weight within a healthy range.
Deciding to put down the cigarettes.
Cutting down on or eliminating one's use of alcoholic beverages.
Reduction of tension via restorative practices like yoga, meditation, or taking a stroll in the park.
Managing high blood pressure and cholesterol through diet, exercise, and medication may reduce or eliminate these health problems.
Receiving therapy for emotional problems such as sadness, stress, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
If the medicine interferes with memory, speak to one's doctor about switching prescriptions.
Undergoing the necessary and suggested periodic examinations and testing for health.
Cognitively taxing activities like reading as well as playing video games.
Holding down a full social calendar.
Suppose an individual is having trouble remembering things or feels that one's memory is affecting one's everyday life or overall happiness. The development of serious cognitive problems is not always associated with becoming older. Individuals with severe memory problems should see a doctor get an evaluation, diagnosis, and therapy. Neurocognitive impairment patients should see their doctor often to detect any alterations in their mental status early.
Research on individuals and animals has shown that this exercise boosts effectiveness in memory−related activities, including encoding and retrieving information. Exercising mice performed better than sedentary rodents in the Morris water maze and radial arm swimming maze tests. They also demonstrated better recall for the placement of an exit platform. Similarly, human studies have demonstrated that increasing physiological arousal may boost brain abilities by speeding up brain processes and enhancing memory recall and storage. Consistent exercise programs have been shown to improve better memory in both old and young people.