#9 Things to Do Every Day to Improve Your Memory

   It's not uncommon to sometimes fail to remember names or places, telephone numbers or directions. If we are writing a note or e-mail or speaking on the telephone and someone interrupts, we may lose our concentration and focus and forget what we were saying. In order to avoid such things and save yourself from any embarrassment, there are certain things you can do every day to improve your memory. If you practice these tips on a regular basis you'll see how much it will help you gain the memory skills that were lost, and even help you develop a phenomenal memory.

Learn to concentrate and give undivided attention to your surroundings

   Whenever you are doing something or listening to someone, do not get distracted. Pay attention to what you are doing, and make sure to give your full attention to the person you're talking with. Try to focus on what you hear and make sure you understand by rephrasing what was said. This will help you remember more clearly later. Avoid multitasking as studies show it minimizes your concentration on the individual tasks, and may even confuse the situation.

Observe your environment and place yourself in it

   Keep your eyes and ears open by being aware of what is going on around you. Try to link the information you gain from your senses so that it helps you remember later, especially events and incidents you need to recall. Keep yourself updated by reading newspapers and books, and keep up a level of general knowledge of current affairs by listening to or watching the news. If you are aware of your place in the world, it will be easier to recall the events that take place around you.

Use mnemonic techniques

   Try creating acronyms with the items on your grocery list, and learn phone numbers in chunks or groups of three and four numbers. If you have a longer text to recall, visualize how you want to remember it and use your imaginations and link the words together on a mental map. Similarly, you could create another type of map, where you "travel" along a route where you have mentally placed actions or objects, to help you remember them in that particular order.

Play brain games

   There are online games and memory software programs like Ultimate Memory which use scientifically-proven techniques to improve your memory. Board games like chess also help in the creative decision making process, which increases your brain's flexibility. These games keep your brain active and exercised. By keeping your brain active, you will encourage the development of new neurons and connections, which will contribute to your ability to remember and recall information.

Keep memorizing to improve your phenomenal memory

   One way to memorize something is to explain it to someone else. This requires you to think about the information in a different way and engages several parts of your brain at once. After memorizing something, bring it to mind as often as possible at first.

Eat and stay healthy

   A good memory requires a healthy body and mind. Eat a balanced diet including foods rich in vitamins as they keep your body fit and your brain mentally sound. Be sure to get enough sleep and do everything you can to lower the amount of stress in your life. Maintain a lifestyle that will keep you happy and motivate you to keep working on improving your memory.