By Crystal Linn

In today’s society most people seem to be bombarded constantly each day with information including facts, opinions and requests, as well as dealing with the emotions involved. It can be challenging to recall everything we need to remember.

To start off this New Year here are some fun tricks for helping us to remember things easier. These can work for anything from a grocery list to memorizing a poem.

Add emotions: The brain remembers emotionally-charged words quicker than calmer words. Think of how quickly you recall your last argument.

Cartoon it: Draw cartoons or stick drawings of the thing(s) to memorize as the brain remembers silly visuals easier.

Chunk it: This is a fun term which means to break things down into bite-size pieces. Phone numbers which are divided into three sections are perfect examples of chunking.

Create acronyms: This has proven to be a fun and easy way to recall facts. One example is HOMES – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior for the names of the Great Lakes.

Create motion: Use simple gestures to act out the thing to memorize as body movement creates brain patterns.

Find the patterns: The brain loves patterns as they help it to organize itself.

Link it: Connect the item to remember to something else like balloons for a child’s future birthday or remembering to buy carrots as rabbits like them.

Make a memory palace: Mentally picture a building with various rooms and then mentally place one item to remember in each room.

Sing it or rhyme it: Music and rhymes go into the brain through a different portal, making things ‘stick’ in the brain easier.

Write it down: This works as a multiple memory trick as the actual physical action of writing combined with visually seeing the thing(s) to remember helps the brain recall easier. Then the paper can remember the item(s) for you.

Not every one of the tips listed above will work for every person because different personalities do better with different techniques. This is a short list of fun ideas and there are many more available.

Here are three additional activities which researchers have discovered are critical for improved memory retention. These three are obtaining quality sleep, physical activity and eating brain-enhancing foods.

During the non-REM sleep cycle the body flushes toxins out of the brain and during REM sleep the brain rearranges and strengthens memories.

Physical movement is important as the more a person moves the more blood flows to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients for improved brain function.

The best brain foods are ones which contain omega fatty acids, antioxidants and choline, along with fiber and boron. A few examples are berries, eggs and leafy greens. Olive oil, salmon and walnuts are also excellent brain foods. Do your own research and enjoy the wonderful healthy brain foods available.

Email us and let us know which memory tips work best for you. I personally answer every email. Info@WellnessWithAge.com.