There was once a time in your life where you were undoubtedly sharp as a tack, able to recall information with ease. As you get older, the ability to soak up and retain knowledge so readily falls by the wayside. You can work to get your memory back, however; you just have to use some great tips like the ones listed below.

Color code information to help you memorize it. Color coding helps the left and right sides of your brain to work together, and better allows you to commit material to your long term memory. The color also plays as an association to the word or phrase you’re working to memorize.

One thing that has been proven to help maintain your memory and brain function over time, is socialization. Having a strong social group and lots of interaction and conversation with family and friends will help to keep your memory flowing freely both now and as you age too.

In order to have a better memory, you will want to have different interests, and try new things. This will keep your mind sharp and open for new memories. In addition, these new neurons will connect to existing neurons, which will then give you a new approach as to how to look at something.

The more difficult the information is, the harder it’s going to be to retain, so you have to break down tough information into smaller tidbits. Breaking the whole down into segments and then reassembling them in your mind not only allows you to retain the memory, but it also creates a road map to allow you to recall the memory.

Memory games are a good way to keep your memory sharp. Some of the memory games available are a lot of fun to play, and they will enhance your memory skills no end. On top of memory, the games can also assist in improving both your attention and concentration skills also. There are a lot of games you can find and play online.

Try to avoid food high in salt and saturated fats, including fast food. It has been scientifically proven that these foods can lead to carotid artery disease, which cuts off the brain’s oxygen supply. Losing oxygen prevents the part of the brain that holds memory from learning and obtaining information.

Getting more of your senses involved will greatly aid you in remembering! Studies suggest speaking and hearing something will reinforce your memory of it so try reading things out loud to yourself if it is important for you to remember or as a general exercise for your memory. You will see the information, say it and hear it thereby tripling your sensory exposure to it!

Improve memory with mnemonics. Use an acronym to remember lists of related things. For example, ‘Homes’ is used to remember the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior. The first letter of the words in a sentence can represent a list of letters that you have to remember. For example, “Every good boy does fine” can be used to memorize the notes on the lines of a treble clef: E,G,B,D and F.

A good tip that can help you improve your memory is to make sure that you’re keeping your stress levels in check. Too much stress has been shown to severely impair memory functions. Take some time to relax and unwind if you are looking to improve your memory.

If you need help retaining a difficult concept or remembering the massive amount of information you studied the night before that big college exam, get up and get moving. The brain, like other parts of our body, requires energy to work, and it gets that energy from oxygen and other nutrients carried through the bloodstream. Spending long, unbroken hours in a chair, pouring over books or staring at a computer screen, causes the blood to congeal and deprives the brain of that needed energy. So get up and go for a brisk walk or a swim, anything to get the blood pumping and moving through your body. It’s a proven fact that the more physically active you are, the smarter you will be too.

A great way to help you improve your memory is to start taking alternative driving routes. Taking different routes will keep your mind active by keeping you guessing and alert. Keeping your mind active like this can go a long way in improving your ability to remember things.

Fortunately, you do not have to sit by and allow your ability to remember suffer any more than it already has. If you can follow these simplistic tips listed above, you can work to strengthen your knowledge retention and ultimately improve your overall ability to remember practically anything you put your mind to.

Useful Ideas For Keeping Your Memory Strong was originally published on Spring