How to improve your ...um what's the word???? Oh, memory!

Have you guys ever experienced this???

Well if so, you have experienced the 'tip of the tongue' phenomenon (not a very clever name, right?)
Although this may be one of the few times your memory "fails" you, your memory is actually amazing. It may sound silly, but do you know what memory is?? It is the ability to encode, store, and retrieve information and experiences at any given moment. I am sure if I asked you for your birth date you would answer automatically as well as if I asked for your name, age, or mother's name. This information was probably told to you by your parents at one time and you successfully encoded, stored, and can now retrieve it on the spot.

First, there are many different types of memory.

Here is a brief summary in the three main types of memory.

   

  Sensory Memory: This is the shortest type of memory that is detected by the senses (touch, taste, smelling, hearing, and seeing). It only lasts about 1 second!! It can either be ignored or perceived and that is what makes it so short.

     Short-term Memory (STM) or Working Memory (WM): It used to describe events that have just occurred and are currently manipulating or thinking about. While it is short lasting as well, it can last around 30 seconds to a minute, but beware once you stop focusing or become distracted it is gone forever.

     Long-term Memory (LTM): This is typically the type of memory we think of when we remember our 8th birthday party, first kiss, learning to drive, or graduation. It refers to memories that happened further back and have been encoded, stored, and available for recall. We are able to store unlimited amount of information for infinite amount of time. 

Here is a good video summary on the types of memory as well as tips to improving your memory.

 

Easy ways to improve memory

1. Paying attention

       - As obvious as it sounds giving your full attention to a task helps.

2. Coffee

       - helps because as a stimulant drug it increases levels of arousal making it easier to retain the information.

3. Exercise

       - Other than for memory exercise is good for many things (health, mood, alertness...) as well.

4. Sleep

       - Studies have shown if you take a break during studying your brain can consolidate and solidify information. 

Nap anyone?

5. Chewing gum

       - It increases activity in the hippocampus, a very important area for memory.

       - Increases oxygen levels.

6. Meditating

       - It increases the cerebral cortex, the area responsible for concentration.

7. Chunking

       - You have probably used this before such as when you read a phone number or your SSN. It helps because you put the information into more manageable pieces.

8. Use imagery

        - When you're going grocery shopping use imagery when thinking about what you need.

Try these and see what works for you!

References:

Kalat, J. (2012). Biological psychology. Cengage Learning.
http://www.businessinsider.com/research-tested-ways-to-improve-your-memory-2014-3
http://www.human-memory.net/types.html