Content
To improve memory capacity, it is essential to sleep 7 to 9 hours a day, do specific exercises like word games, reduce stress and eat foods like fish, because it is rich in omega 3, which is important to keep the brain healthy and functional.
Other tips for improving memory can be
- At the end of the day, remember the activities that were done throughout the day;
- Make a shopping list, but try not to use the list when you go to the supermarket, trying to remember what you wrote;
- Keep the brain fed, eating meals every 3 hours, to be always active and ready to memorize;
- Drink caffeinated beverages, such as green tea or coffee, for example, because caffeine keeps the brain on alert and facilitates the capture of information to memorize;
- Eat foods such as eggs, nuts, milk, wheat germ, cashews and tomatoes, as they have substances in their composition that make it easy to record information and avoid forgetfulness;
- Use the non-dominant hand to perform activities in which the right hand is generally used, such as writing, brushing teeth, leafing through a book or opening a door for example;
- Go to work and / or return home in other ways than usual;
- Change the location of some objects that are used a lot in day-to-day, such as the trash can or house keys, for example.
In addition, it is very important for the person to be focused when they want to memorize something. For example, it is more difficult to memorize an address when driving and talking on a cell phone than if the person is trying to memorize the address without doing another activity at the same time.
Stress and anxiety also make it difficult to memorize, because the brain is busy with many thoughts and has difficulty concentrating to memorize.
Test your memory
Take the test below and assess your memory and concentration in minutes. The test is quick and consists of just 12 questions:
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Pay close attention!
You have 60 seconds to memorize the image on the next slide.
Start the test
60 Next 15 Are there 5 people in the image?
15 Does the image have a blue circle?
15 Is the house in the yellow circle?
15 Are there three red crosses in the image?
15 Is the green circle for the hospital?
15 Does the man with the cane have a blue blouse?
15 Is the cane brown?
15 Does the hospital have 8 windows?
15 Does the house have a chimney?
15 Does the man in the wheelchair have a green shirt?
15 Is the doctor with his arms crossed?
15 Are the suspenders of the man with the cane black?
What to eat to improve memory
Food is also important for improving memory, and foods rich in omega-3s, such as salmon, sardines and flaxseeds, for example, and antioxidants present in fruits and vegetables, contribute to maintaining the brain. functional.
In addition, one should avoid foods rich in simple sugars, such as cakes, cookies and chocolate, and choose to eat whole carbohydrates, such as bread, pasta and brown rice and / or oats, for example.
To learn more examples of foods that improve memory, watch this video:
What to avoid
Stress and anxiety impair memory because the brain is occupied with worries, hindering the ability to concentrate and, later, remembering later what was read or heard. Therefore, stress and anxiety must be avoided, which can be done with the help of meditation and physical exercise, for example.
In addition, there are some medications that can also affect memory, and in such cases, if the person experiences memory difficulties or realizes that he or she forgets things a lot, he / she should talk to the doctor.
Exercises to improve memory
Exercises to improve memory are essential, because if the brain is not stimulated, it becomes "lazy", decreasing the ability to memorize. Some of these exercises can be word search, sudoku or putting together a puzzle, for example. Learn more about memory exercises.
Created by: Tua Saúde Editorial Team
Bibliography>
- LANE -COMMUNITY COLLEGE. Strategies to Improve Memory. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Aug 2019
- QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY AT KINGSTON. IMPROVING YOUR MEMORY. Available in: . Accessed on 27 Aug 2019