Memory Exercises that Work to Improve Memory

memory exercises

Whether it’s riding a bicycle, using a typewriter, or ironing a shirt, we take for granted most of the skills we learn throughout our lives that are life’s memory exercises. Yet, for each of these routine activities, we had to build slowly upon basic steps to master a more complex activity. The same holds true for memory skills. Just as we systematically learn how to master everyday basic tasks – driving a car, using a handheld organizer – we can systematically learn memory exercises and incorporate them into our daily routines.

Organization is essentially the process of systematically arranging information according to structures, patterns, and groupings. Learning to organize daily activities effectively can make the difference between successes, mediocrity, or out-right failure. For maximum recall performance, organizing information according to obvious patterns facilitates quick memory storage and retrieval.

One of the more effective organizational memory exercises involves “chunking” — basically dividing a large group of random items into separate chunks with a common characteristic. Attempting to remember 6 random items at the market is going to be more difficult than trying to remember 3 cereals and 3 dairy products.

With the advent of cell phones, fax machines, E-mail and pagers, many baby boomers find themselves suffering from numerical technology overload, or too many darn numbers to keep straight. The Peg Method was developed as a system for remembering phone numbers, addresses, or numerical sequences by visualizing objects as opposed to rote memorization of the numbers themselves. Just as a peg is something that pins down or fastens things, this technique helps us to systematically pin down or fasten bits of information.

The western approach to medicine has traditionally emphasized curing illness rather than maintaining wellness. Nearly all long-term studies on aging and memory have focused on markers that predict decline and loss. This trend, however, has been slowly changing. Scientists have begun focusing their investigations on successful aging and late-life health.

Successful aging means not only living longer, but living better – avoiding disease, remaining engaged in activities, and maintaining optimal physical and mental health.

Many of the lifestyle changes we need to consider for keeping our brains young are the same habits that will help us to maintain physical health and fitness including moderate physical activity – at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week; eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day; and avoiding tobacco, illicit drugs and alcohol abuse.

We’re often asked at what age it becomes too late to change bad habits, start taking care of one’s body, and thereby help to protect one’s brain with memory exercises. The answer is: It is never too late. As soon as you start to change your lifestyle for the better, you’ll begin to repair yesterday’s damage. A previously sedentary 40 year-old who begins a walking program of just 30 minutes a day, four days a week, can achieve the same risk of heart attack after six months of conditioning as a 40 year-old who has exercised conscientiously for decades.