How to Improve Memory: Six Basic Techniques

Forgetting is easy, remembering is hard. Why is this? There are obviously a number of different aspects to consider before that question can be answered properly. However, there are simple tips you can use to start improving your memory right here and now.

This article covers some basic techniques to improve your memory.

1. You are not a circus elephant

Don't believe the myth. Believing that you have a bad memory is the first mistake. Don't convince yourself that you've got a bad memory by default, no matter what people say. All you need to do is harness the memory capabilities that are already there. People don't develop a bad memory all of a sudden; it usually takes time and effort to convince yourself of it. Take the circus elephant, for instance.

If you've ever been to a circus, you may know that elephants are often kept in chains from a young age. It is in the elephant's nature to want to escape, and it most certainly tries in the beginning. But after it has been chained up for a couple of years (it's pretty horrible when you think about it), it simply gives up. If you were to remove its chains, it would in most cases not try to escape. Why is this?

The elephant has convinced itself that fighting back is fruitless, so it still believes the chains are there. There's a lesson to be learned here. You need to remove the invisible chains that are keeping you from remembering things before you can go on to improve your memory.

2. Throw away the lifelines

Lifelines are the things you hold on to just in case you forget. For instance, if you go shopping with a grocery list, that's your lifeline. If someone gives you their number and you write it down, that's also a lifeline. By relying on these notes and apps, you make less use of your ability to memorize.

Obviously, there are times when something must be written down because it's important, but in most cases you can do without. So the next time you're out shopping or a friend gives you a number, don't write it down; try to remember it instead. The more you do this, the more your brain will start putting things into memory again.

3. Repeat it, repeat it

It's extremely difficult to remember something you've only heard once. Why do you remember your own phone number? Is it because it's "easier," or because you've said it out loud so many times that it has stuck in your memory? This is exactly what we want to achieve. If you have something important to remember, repeat it to yourself as often as possible, and if you can, talk about it often as well. When you discuss an idea, it's easier to remember than something that only stayed in your head.

4. Eat well, drink well

We all know this, but how easy it is to forget! Don't eat too much nor too little, or you won't remember this riddle. Moderation is the key. If you eat too much, you'll feel tired and drowsy, and if you eat too little, you'll feel hungry and fatigued. Both are obstacles standing in the way of a better memory.

5. Organize your life

Keep things organized. Your system doesn't have to look organized to other people, as long as it serves its purpose. The more organized you become, the better you become at remembering things. That's why I recommend making mental lists. Organizing information makes it easier to recall in the future. Always try to keep it simple and straightforward.

6. Practice

There's really no super simple technique that will drastically improve your memory. To improve it, you need both patience and a lot of practice. The more you practice, the better. When you're ready for more advanced methods, read our guide on how to memorize fast or try some daily memory exercises.