Keeping the brain active has surprisingly positive effects on strengthening memory at any ageEd Powers
Memory gets stronger as we age and reaches its peak, stays there for a good while and then starts to wane.
Just like there are many ways of trying to remember, there are quite a few methods to prevent loss of memory. Here are some proven ways to sharpen and hold onto your memory at any age.
Learn Perpetually
Those with higher education remember more because upper qualifications demand retention and lengthier usages of faculty, aiding better recollections.
So stretch that brain with mental challenges & exercises. Read books, whatever genre; do crosswords, word / numerical / board games, puzzles - proficiency doesn't matter, sincerity of indulgence do. Pursuing hobbies / new skills - like music, art, origami, neighbourhood-volunteering - all can be beneficial in prolonging memory.
Sensory Connections
Involve all possible senses to work on your memory. Say, tuning to middle of a song on radio, wonder what's the title, the artist, trivia about song/artist, album name etc.
Knowing the answers - right, wrong or not at all is secondary, as long you honestly try.
Unhear The Myth
Science guys can remember better; memory fails all after a certain age; low retention runs in my family - giving in to negative stereotyping - your own or others - invariably muddles the confidence. As a result, the brain will automatically slack. Be positive and you'll fare better - in any case, there's nothing to lose.
Structure Usage
Don't clutter your brain with everything.
Be smart with remembering mundane things - phone number/address even names that you don't habitually encounter, bills etc. - use a notebook for that. Put your cards, keys (label them with a sticker, if it confuses you), passbooks, IDs in once place, etc.
If you maintain a diary to note down information, nothing like it - do visit them now and then.
Repeat
Utter new info out loud a few times or right it down to refer. If somebody says something too unusual, simply ask him to repeat. Trying to remember a new name you just met - repeat the name in the conversation, whenever possible
Bite-Size
Spaced intakes helps retain both quantitatively and qualitatively. Instead of shifting through the whole load at once, break complex/unfamiliar information/ assignment, into stages. Follow each stage with a mini-break, check back till your comfortable, then move to next.
For last moment exam preps - its better to remember most of what you studied (say, 80% of syllabus), rather than spotty and less of everything.
Compress
Use Mnemonic, Info-links and or Memory Palace methods as much as possible. Retain in such a way that will expand to greater information.
