Easy Ways to Improve Memory

SARAH LYONS

EVERYONE FORGETS THINGS from time to time, but it seems the more kids I have, the more forgetful I become. It’s frustrating, and sometimes costly, to forget an appointment or an important deadline, but when you notice it’s happening regularly, it’s time to get organized. Here are some easy tips to improve memory:

Write it down “I am a paper person. I have a spiral notebook I write everything in,” says mom Jean Janner. “I use them for menu planning, shopping lists, to-do lists, notes from phone calls and doctor appointments, and holiday and vacation planning. I write the date on the front so I can look back if needed.”

According to a study done at UCLA, taking notes, rather than typing on a laptop, improves memory. Taking notes during a meeting, writing to-do and shopping lists, and using paper calendars and planners may help you remember more easily.

There’s an app for that If you prefer to go paperless, there are great ways to use technology to help you remember what you have on your plate today. “Everything, no matter how trivial, goes on a list or calendar in an app I use on my phone,” says mom Kara Thomas. “I cannot imagine motherhood without it.” Many families like the ease of electronic

Fun Activities that

Improve Memory coordination like tennis or basketball contributing writer calendars because they can be easily shared with all family members. “My husband and I have a calendar where we store all our information, which is automatically shared,” says Holly Searls, mother of four. “I also utilize the alarm function on my phone.” This can be used for appointments, reminders to take medicine, or to grab library books for school. The key to using technology effectively is to be diligent about entering information as soon as it’s received.

Take care of yourself When you are overtired, hungry, or stressed it can be hard to prioritize, organize, and remember what needs to be done. A good night’s sleep can do wonders to help improve memory. Similarly, a healthy diet can help keep your mind sharp. Eating empty calories will cause you to feel sluggish, making it difficult to focus. If you are already eating and sleeping well, try adding cardiovascular activity to your day. Exercise can greatly improve memory. Start with 10 to 20 minutes of brisk walking each day to give yourself a boost. Mentally prepare for multitasking Parents become great multitaskers. We simultaneously pack school lunches, feed kids breakfast, watch the news, and go through a mental checklist for the day. While multitasking can be a very useful tool, it can also adversely affect memory. When our minds are occupied with multiple things at once it’s easy to forget one of them. Try sitting down for a few minutes in the morning and focusing on what needs to be done. Prioritize your tasks, set reminders on your phone, make lists, and check the calendar to ensure you don’t miss anything important.

Challenge yourself You can improve your memory by doing things you enjoy or by trying something new. One way to keep our minds sharp is to take on new challenges on a regular basis. Learn to play the piano or take up knitting, read a book, or work on logic puzzles. When we keep our minds active and sharp, memory

Learn to play an instrument Take up a new hobby Learn a new language Play logic games and puzzles Take up knitting or crocheting Do crafts and/or scrapbooking Read a book or magazine Listen to music or audiobooks Play games that involve hand-eye improves.

Play video games