As the years go by, you might feel your memory starting to slip a bit. Who among us hasn't struggled to recall the name of something that's on the tip of our tongue? You might also find yourself easily able to recall the name of your first grade teacher, but can't remember what you ate for dinner yesterday. It happens to the best of us...and yet, what if we could take action to improve our memory? Great news; you can. Here are seven, easy-to-follow tips on how to do just that!
Repeat information. We retain information better if we repeat it in some fashion, committing it to memory. That's why written notes can be so effective in the learning process. Speaking aloud can also prove effective. Just learned someone's name? Use it in a sentence. Need to remember a sequence of numbers for later? Say them out loud a few times over for better recall. Or maybe you're like me, so entrenched in routine, that you can't remember if you locked the door when you left the house. Next time, declare to yourself "Door is locked!" as you're heading out. You might get a glance from your neighbor, but it will seal the task within your memory.
Avoid multitasking and too much screentime. At any given moment in a day, we have multiple things on our plate. Your memory will improve (as will your productivity) if you force yourself to focus on one task at a time. This means you should avoid distractions, if possible. Our phones, with their many social media platforms and opportunities for infinite scrolling, have trained our minds to observe one thing, then instantly forget it as we move onto the next hit of dopamine. Try not to spend too much time on your phone; replace the infinite scrolling with a good book or a walk in nature. Your mind with thank you for it.
Try mnemonic devices. Mnemonic devices are useful hacks to aid your memory. Techniques include acronyms, rhymes, chunking, and many more. Most likely, you used these devices in your school days. Singing the alphabet to music is probably among the first mnemonic devices you learned! "My very educated mother just served us nine pizzas," is another one, meant to aid in remembering the planets. Sometimes, coming up with your own personal mnemonic devices can help you remember what's important to you. For more examples, check out this article from Verywell Health.
Add brain foods to your diet. Certain foods are wonderful memory-boosters, and we have a blog post to back it up. Fish, nuts, legumes, grains, berries, and leafy green vegetables all contribute to brain health. Along with improving memory, they can also ward off cognitive decline. Don't forget to stay hydrated, too! Water makes up a large percentage of our brain. It will shrink if you're overly dehydrated, affecting your ability to recall.
Avoid sugar and other unhealthy foods. On the other side of the coin, try to avoid too much sugar in your diet because it can cause inflammation in your brain and make you feel sluggish. Too much fat and sugar are proven to impair your memory. Stay away from overprocessed foods, fried foods, alcohol, and lots of salt, too. A healthy diet goes a long way for both your body and brain!
Manage your stress. Stress never leaves us feeling our best. This is because your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which impairs your mind's memory process. You're more likely to forget important things when suffering from too much anxiety. Worst of all, chronic stress can actually damage your hippocampus, the part of the brain that stores memories. It's important to manage your stress, especially in the ever-stressful legal career. Get plenty of sleep, take time to self-care, and be sure to check out this past blog all about stress management if you find yourself struggling.
Never stop learning. Our brains grow tired from the monotony of day-to-day life. Like our bodies, they need to be active to stay in shape. You can keep yourself sharp by learning new things and taking on new experiences. Try learning an instrument or picking up a new language. Read a chapter of a book each night before bed. Or make time for that new hobby you've been interested in. Too busy for any of those options? Then take five minutes in your morning to attempt Wordle, a crossword puzzle, or another brain teaser that gets you thinking.
The world is huge, and we've got limitless technology at our fingertips--the opportunities for learning are endless! After all, lawyers never stop learning. That's why PBI is always here to bring you the timeliest topics in top-notch CLE. See what's coming up and start scoring those credits today!
