Volume 25 · Number 2 · Winter 2008
Memory tips from the experts
• To remember important new information, link it to things you already know.
• Use memory tricks, such as bizarre images, to link a name to a person you recently met.
• Exercise your memory by doing interesting and challenging things in your daily life. “Definitely, it’s use it or lose it,” said Beth Ober, professor of human and community development and the Center for Mind and Brain. “To the extent that you can keep exercising your memory skills, that really is going to help you.”
• Keep track of special appointments/obligations with sticky notes, either the paper kind or the digital ones on your computer.
• Engage in regular physical activity to improve memory and cognitive functions. “Some retired people have a tendency not to do much, physically and socially, and that’s not good,” Ober said. “Being active is really important.”
• Reduce disorder — have a place for everything.
• Minimize stress. “Stress is well-known to impair cognition, especially memory,” Ober said.
• Ask your doctor about the medications that might cause cognitive impairment.
• Eat right. “Good nutrition practices — not over-the-counter memory pills — are good for your health,” Ober said.
• Regularly check your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol. Take prescribed medication; follow doctor’s advice. “Live the healthy life that we talk about, which involves moderate exercise, and control your weight and diet,” said Charles DeCarli, neurologist and director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Center.
• Get enough sleep. “Of course, if you are sleep deprived, that makes it hard to pay attention and will undoubtedly reduce your ability to remember events,” said Charan Ranganath, associate professor of psychology and member of the Center for Neuroscience. “But there is also quite a bit of evidence suggesting that, during sleep, our brains are active, solidifying our memories of the previous day’s events. In fact, some evidence suggests that even a nap can help improve your memory.”