Therapy Talk – Improving your memory

Memory

The older (and busier) we become, the more the issue of memory (and lack thereof) becomes a point of frustration.

From simple tasks, like losing keys and forgetting names, to serious errors of memory at work and at home, remembering everything seems to be getting harder and harder.

Current research suggests that an overload of information might be more to blame than age. In the information-era, we are simply carrying too much

information at any given time. In our defence, our brain makes executive decisions about which information to retain and clear away.

To our frustration, sometimes the wrong information gets cleared away. As a remedy, experts suggest what is called, ‘controlled forgetting’. This is the conscious process of having a thought, identifying it as irrelevant in that moment, and deliberately letting it go.

Sleep and exercise have also proved highly effective in boosting memory. If you are unable to take a power nap during a busy day, ensure that you are getting enough sleep every night, and that you avoid high concentration tasks during mid-afternoon when your brain is naturally in a slump.

Regular exercise is also important, but if you can’t make the gym, walk while you are on the phone or when having a meeting, regularly clench your buttocks at your desk, perform squats during your break, or use a stress toy.