Ever been in an exam room and forgotten everything you’d learnt, or looked everywhere for your pen only to find it’s sitting behind your ear? Everyone has forgotten something at some point in their lives, it’s normal.

The brain is one of the most powerful organs the human body. It has thousands of brain cells, called neurons, working tirelessly to make sure we function at our optimum. The area of the brain responsible for memory and learning is called the hippocampus. It stores and makes new memories, and allows for learning to occur. In a process called neuroplasticity, the brain forms new neuronal pathways, which adapt and react to many different stimuli. The pathways can help us retrieve short- and long-term memories.

Here are six simple things you can do to boost your memory.

1) Become more active & watch what you eat 

The remedy to most of our bodily aches and pains is exercise; this we cannot deny. Exercising improves blood flow throughout your body, including your brain. Increased blood flow means more oxygen. The brain is the largest user of oxygen above all the other organs and, therefore, requires a constant supply. Exercise also helps increase the general functioning of the brain. This doesn’t have to be anything too hectic though. Doing anything that improves blood circulation, like walking, swimming or dancing, could improve your memory.

A balanced diet rich in minerals and nutrients could be just what your brain needs to get back in the memory saddle. Green leafy vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants that protect your brain cells. Complex carbohydrates like whole wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal fuel up your brain. Try and include the healthy fats in your diet too, as they are good for brain functioning.

2) Rest is essential

The brain is probably the hardest working organ of them all. It controls everything and also has to maintain itself; it is bound to get tired. A good eight hours sleep is sufficient to get those brain cells powered up again.

Stress is also a major factor that restricts your brain’s ability to retrieve and interpret memories correctly. Any form of stress, whether be it anger, anxiety, or depression, slowly eats away at the hippocampus. Try and find ways to alleviate your stress, like hanging out with friends and laughing (proven stress reliever), reading a book, or taking a walk to the park.

3) Try Mnemonics

Mnemonics use visual images and associations to help us remember things more easily. Remember ROYGBIV, the easy way to remember colours of the rainbow. Well, there are many different types of mnemonics and you might be using them without even noticing. According to helpguide.org the different mnemonics include visual imagery, acronyms, rhymes and alliteration, and chunking, etc.

4) Challenge your brain

The brain is like any other muscle, it needs to be exercised. Exercise your brain by giving it tasks to which it is unaccustomed. A healthy brain can help you remember more things.

5) Find what works best for you

Some people can concentrate with loud music playing and some people just can’t. Some students prefer studying in the library while other like sitting on the grass while studying. Find what works best for you. What your brain needs is for you to focus, pay attention, and understand the information you are taking in. If you are finding it difficult to concentrate in one spot then move, your brain could be telling you it needs a change in environment.

6) Practice, practice, practice …

Practice makes perfect, it’s as simple as that. It has been shown that repeating a task over and over again can help you remember things easily. Make sure you practice what you’ve learnt on the same day you learnt it and you are sure to get maximum results.

About the Author: Zimasa Mpemnyama is fresh out of university, so she still knows the best techniques to help you study; all you have to do is practice them.
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