Memory

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I'm looking for ways to improve memory. What are some recommended exercises, books to read and foods for improvement. Any success stories?
 

D_one and done

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try playing brain age for the nintendo DS. ive heard it helps with memory. im guessing theres a reason its one of the most popular and best selling games in japan among almost every age group. not so big in america though for some reason lol
 

Mem

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I've taught myself certain tricks. If I write out bills at night and have to mail them in the morning, I make sure they are in the floor in front of the front door. I do the same thing if I know I have to remember to bring something with me when I go.

I also find that keeping things in a specific place helps. I never lose the scissors if I always put it back where it belongs after I use it. I also always keep my keys and wallet in my pants pockets. When I change pants I always get them ready the night before and make sure everything is in them.

One thing that many people forget is their cell phone when they charge it overnight. I always put pants for the next day underneath them while it is charging.

I've always been bad at remembering people's names. One time at a dance club I had to introduce two people to each other. I forgot one of the people's names so I just said "why don't you two introduce yourselves to each other" and walked away.
 

Mem

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Is anyone else having trouble with this thread? After I read it it stays bold on the Etc. page.
 

B_dumbcow

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^ It's fine for me, mem

There are many different techniques for improving memory. I have read many books on the subject about how to remember lists and other things. However, the best techniques are very long and I can't type them out here.
Your local library should have books about improving memory in it.
 

Rubenesque

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I think it depends what you're trying to remember.....

if you're trying to remember a list of items, a good method is to form a map of the rooms in your house and then go through the list, mentally placing each item in the rooms in order, and have them in a weird or particularly memorable situation. For example.... if your list is...

Eggs
Milk
Sugar
Bread
Cheese

I'd do it like this...

Bedroom one - a chicken laying eggs on my bed
Landing - slipping over on milk
Bedroom two - can't open the door because of a huge pile of sugar
Bathroom - loaves of bread filling the bath
Staircase - having to step over slabs of cheese on each step

etc etc

that seems stupidly random, but you can do it with anything, and it means you remember the things in the right order too... try it, write a list of ridiculously random things, work out the route around your home, take some time to put the items in the rooms (in your head lol) and then write the list again on a clean piece of paper... bet you get them all right! If you've got a big long list of things, just go around the house twice, or move onto another house you're really familiar with! lol
 

B_dumbcow

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I think it depends what you're trying to remember.....

if you're trying to remember a list of items, a good method is to form a map of the rooms in your house and then go through the list, mentally placing each item in the rooms in order, and have them in a weird or particularly memorable situation. For example.... if your list is...

Eggs
Milk
Sugar
Bread
Cheese

I'd do it like this...

Bedroom one - a chicken laying eggs on my bed
Landing - slipping over on milk
Bedroom two - can't open the door because of a huge pile of sugar
Bathroom - loaves of bread filling the bath
Staircase - having to step over slabs of cheese on each step

etc etc

that seems stupidly random, but you can do it with anything, and it means you remember the things in the right order too... try it, write a list of ridiculously random things, work out the route around your home, take some time to put the items in the rooms (in your head lol) and then write the list again on a clean piece of paper... bet you get them all right! If you've got a big long list of things, just go around the house twice, or move onto another house you're really familiar with! lol

That one is very useful!

Another way of memorizing long lists is to join the words.

Umbrella
Cat
piano
glass

That list can be remembered by linking:
First image is a cat holding an umbrella
Second - cat playing piano
Third - piano made of glass

These lists can go on for ages and as long as the links are strong enough to remember, it is a really good technique,
 

quintessence

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Memory by Association is a good technique - basically you associate something you want to remember with a "trigger" object, phrase or picture etc.

For example say you want to remember how to count from 1 - 5
1 - is a tree trunk
2 - is a pair of gloves or socks
3 - is the number of legs on a stool
4 - is how many legs a dog/cat has
5 - is the number of digits you have on one hand.

Simple example but it can be applied to a lot of different things
i.e. I learnt hirigana through this technique in about 1 week, 48 characters with 48 associations.

Another one I inadvertantly discovered as a memory technique was "storing" a memory. I imagine putting an important memory into a cardboard box for storage I visualise doing this, it may sound strange but it does work.

Also, it doesn't have to be a box it could be clipping it onto a notice board or attaching it to a fridge with a magnet, whatever works for you. Just as long as you can visualise doing it, and you can step yourself through the process.

Just a couple I can think of off the top of my head.

Q.
 

Mem

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I always had trouble with Memorial Day and Labor Day and would get them mixed up. I knew that one started the summer Northeast beach season and the other ended it, they were both Major Monday holidays when most people had off from work.

The way I remembered that Memorial day came first was that alphabetically Labor day came first but chronogically it was the other way around.
 

Mem

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I learned right from left by telling myself. I write with my right.

I also learned the word for right in French (droit) by remembering that it was an R in it.