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Everyone, from time to time, encounters brief memory lapses - those annoying situations when you forget someone's name or completely forget what you're supposed to be doing next! It affects young and old alike, although older people are more prone to forgetfulness and tend to suffer more frequent occurrences of memory loss. It is all too easy simply to "blank" when placed in a stressful situation. For instance, you return to where you parked your car, only to discover that it has been stolen. You panic and try to phone home, but can't even remember your own telephone number! It is only when you calm down and the fog of panic recedes that your memory returns. Most people who lead busy lives (and even those who don't) will understand the frustration and embarrassment caused by temporary lapses of memory. We should not become too obsessed with what are, after all, only natural human limitations. There are several practical things that we can do to boost our memory in everyday situations.
* For a start, it is important to put memory lapses into perspective. It happens to everyone, particularly those of us who find ourselves in stressful situations. Don't panic and think you're "losing it" or suffering from senility! Just think of the memory lapse as a temporary "blip". Reassure yourself that next time you find yourself in a similar situation, you will probably sail through and remember exactly whatever it was that has so annoyingly abandoned you on this occasion.
* Devise a memory pattern that suits your personality. People are different. What works well for one, may not do so for another. Work out how you are best able to absorb and process information. Is it from a book, a computer screen, listening to a cassette, or just as a result of scribbling ideas on a piece of paper? Let whichever method suits you best dominate your approach to learning and those situations where your memory is put to the test.
* Try to place a clear mental dividing line between one activity and the next. For example, a brief pause between the end of a conversation and the beginning of your next task, gives your brain the chance to process the information you have just absorbed during the conversation
* Whenever you have the opportunity, try to play silent memory games with yourself. We think nothing of going to the gym to work out our bodies, so why shouldn't we take time out to exercise our minds? The games don't need to be complex or clever. Simply try to remember a list of objects by weaving them all into a story. You can build up to an intricate string of events by linking them all together. This exercise, practised regularly, certainly helps to fine tune the memory.
* Think about how your brain processes everyday information. Do you respond best to visual, verbal or written stimuli? Develop associations for the important things in your everyday life - the sillier the triggers, the better you will remember them.
* Make an effort to prioritise the things that really matter in your daily routine. The brain tends to blank out anything that isn't a priority. We are all inclined to retain more detail and information about someone or something if we think that they are important to us.
* Don't skimp on sleep. Experiments have shown that lack of sleep can seriously affect one's memory and the ability to recall and analyse information.
Finally, bear in mind that your memory functions best when you feel self-confident and relaxed. Try to remove as many unimportant aggravations as you possibly can from your life. Silently praise yourself for the astonishing amount of information that you have absorbed during the course of an ordinary day at work or at home. Just being able to think positively about your achievements will actually help you to reinforce and boost your memory.
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