Improving Both Long and Short Term Memory

Memory can be sorted as short term and long term. In short-term memory, the mind stores information for a short period of time that can last for a few minutes. This type of memory is natural and delicate. The brain is trained to discard it fast. The brain can hold at least seven short-term memories. This is an estimate and that is why you normally remember your cell number but you need your credit card when you are shopping online.

On the other hand, the long term memory involves information that needs effort in order to remain in your mind. The information needs to be there for a long-term period because it is important, such as personal information, family details, and work data. Data that you store for a long-term memory requires an effort for you to retain.

A common technique in concept mapping data for editing is to make an exact or a color coded narrative or memory map of the information you need to remember. This will greatly assist you to observe the whole map of the information and can show you the association between the pieces of data. A good information map can be very useful and beneficial mnemonic or memory device.

However, the major mistake in using a concept map is that there are chances to forget the entire label on a certain part of the map. A better method is to get the concept map, and break it down into a numbered list of specific points. This peg-like technique can be used to remember the items on a certain list. Also, the journey technique can be used for longer lists. This technique is a slight version of the roman room technique in sorting ideas and remembering objects.

There are many ways to improve your memory such as:

Practice – Memory can be improved with regular mind practice. Such exercises include reading, solving puzzles, games and doing logic.

Mnemonics – by using special methods such as mnemonics, you can learn information without any extra effort to learn the entire material; most of the mnemonics are humorous such as acronyms and rhymes. As an example, while remembering the colors of the rainbow in proper order, many people use the mnemonic ROY G. BIV (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet)

Roman Room System – this method is normally employed in learning a new foreign language. Words can be learnt by visiting a town with common things that are visually available. New nouns can be learnt if you visit the town square and try to be familiarized with the counterpart of common names.

When you want to memorize things for a longer period, you must associate the new data with the data you already know. Remembering information and storing it in your long-term memory stores information for longer intervals.

It is very important for everyone to improve our memory. As everyone needs to think every day, memory is very important. It can be utilized when we want to remember the number of a friend, search the number of our locker number or to prepare for an exam. An improved memory also gives us opportunities and an extra edge in doing our jobs. A sharp memory can also give us security.

If you do not remember what medicine to take and there are chances of taking the wrong drug instead, you are in grave danger.