The truth of the matter is that people are terrified of losing their memory permanently. With things like Alzheimer’s and dementia, we know that there’s a distinct possibility of not even being able to recognize those closest ones to us one day. Help fight against memory loss by using the tips below.

Break complex information down into smaller, more memorable pieces. This simple trick is regularly used to help people remember large numbers. For instance, your credit card numbers, phone number and social security number are all broken down into smaller, hyphenated sections to make them easier to remember. You can do the same thing with any complex data that you are trying to recall.

Engage your mind regularly in activities like puzzles or brain teasers to improve your memory. Not only are these activities fun, but they also improve attention and concentration while keeping your memory skills sharp. Brain games train your mind to work more efficiently and help form different thought patterns, enabling better retention of memories.

Write important appointments or events on a calendar, and make sure that you look at the calender every day. If you are a cell phone owner, most cell phones have a daily reminder or calendar in which you can program upcoming events.

A great technique to help you memorize new material is to read the information out loud. Research has shown that this simple act significantly improves the memory of this material. Research has also divulged that teaching a new concept to others will also increase understanding and recall of the information.

In order to remember important things, you may want to enlist the help of family or friends who have good memories. Tell them the important information you want to remember, so that you can ask them at a later date to remind you of this information. Just do not rely on someone else who has a bad memory!

Try to memorize things in sets of 7. According to studies, the human capacity for Short Term Memory, or (STM) is 7, add or minus 2. This is why humans memorize things best in groups of 7. This is also why, for example, your phone number is seven digits.

Utilize all of your senses. You may have already heard that smell is a powerful sense in relation to your memory. This is true. When trying to recall something, don’t just look for a picture of it in your mind. Try to remember how it smelled or felt or even tasted.

Draw a picture! If you are having trouble remembering something – try doodling! Drawing relaxes your mind, opens it up. It doesn’t matter if you are a terrible artist. Just scribbling on a piece of scrap paper will do. Your thoughts will feel more organized and memories will come to you much easier.

Try to use all five of your sense when trying to remember things. By using as many of your senses that the situation calls for, you will have a better time remembering it. If it is a location you are trying to remember, picture the way it smelled and the sounds associated with the area.

Make your own outline to assist you as you study, as it can help you to retain the information you want to learn. If you keep the information organized into related parts, you will find it easier to remember. Any type of organizational system you choose here would suffice. It doesn’t have to be a specific type of outline. Just go with something you’re comfortable with.

Paying true attention can go a long way when you try and recall things. When you are first introduced to someone, picture the spelling of their name in your head, or ask about the spelling. For example, check with them whether they spell Jodie with an “ie” or a “y”. Then, make a statement about their person’s name in order to keep it in our memory. Over the course of the conversation, repeat this measure to ensure that you store the information for the next time.

Do not cram information before an exam or a test. You will remember better if you study regularly. You can improve your memory by making it work on a regular basis, and you will remember something more easily if you go over it everyday instead of focusing on it for a few hours only.

Approach memory improvement from the perspective of educating your brain in a new way to think. Learning something new is a great way to keep your brain working at peak capacity. Learning the rules to a new game will help keep your brain and memory active.

It has been proven that using tips like the ones you’ve just read can help you to greatly reduce your risk of contracting diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Training your brain and performing little memory exercises will help your all-around memory in great ways. Don’t neglect to implement these tips today.

Strengthen Your Memory With This Great Advice was originally published on Spring