Five tips to improve your memory
A great memory is fundamental to performing well atuniversity. Tackling exams,assignments and assessments can be difficult but there are ways to boost yourmemory storage, and most of them have nothing to do with studying.
Here are five different areas that have a profound impact onmemory retention.
Sleep
Getting plenty of rest is important but Rapid Eye Movement (REM)sleep is especially crucial. Making up to 25 per cent of a cycle, REM normallyoccurs about 90 minutes after falling asleep and is responsible for theconsolidation of special and procedural memory. The majority of dreams alsooccur during REM sleep.
Exercise
Exercising plays a surprisingly large role when it comes tomemory. Physical activity increases cell production in the hippocampus, thesector of the brain associated with memory, but it also serves as a usefuldistraction when studying to give your mind a rest. Going for a run, hittingthe gym or kicking the football can go a long way.
Train your brain
Learning how to play the guitar or mastering a new language are both examples ofexcellent brain-boosting activities. By developing new skills, the brain isstimulating additional neural pathways that assists in the rapid recall ofinformation, which not only offers short-term gain but may help to reduce thelikelihood of severe memory loss later in life.
Diet
What you eat can also have a significant influence. Dietsrich in antioxidants, omega-3, vitamins and minerals not only strengthen memorybut boost energy levels and help prevent brain disease. Due to its high volumeof vegetables, wholegrains and fish, the Mediterranean diet is suitable forfighting off memory loss, with salmon, avocado, walnuts, extra virgin oliveoil, blueberries and green leafy vegetables among the most retention-friendlyfoods.
Tea
Renowned for its health benefits, green tea is linked withweight loss, reducing anxiety and defending against cancer cell growth. It alsoenhances the ability to remember information by intensifying the relationshipbetween the frontal lobe (which specialises in advanced thinking) and theparietal lobe (sensory information and language).