If someone was to read a list of words to you, it’s most unlikely that you willremember all the words in the list. You’ll be able to recall most of the words at the
beginning, some at the middle, and a few at the end. These effects are known as primacy
(words at the beginning) and recency (words at the end).
The only way that a normal person can effectively recall all of the words in the list, is
if he applies a mnemonic technique to help him remember. You’ll also find that it’s easier
to recall a word if it’s repeated several times in the list, or if it’s related to the other words in
any way, or if it stands out among the other words (for example, the word “ruby” will stand
out from a list of vegetables).
To take advantage of your primacy and recency, you must find a middle ground. If
you are doing something that requires a lot of thinking and you do this non-stop for hours,
you’ll find that the dip in the recall between the primacy and recency can be quite
considerable.
If, on the other hand, you stop to take breaks too often, your brain will not really
reach its primacy because it keeps on getting interrupted. In a more practical application,
instead of continuously studying or working for hours, you might want to try pausing and
resting after 30-50 minutes of working, just to give your brain time to refresh itself and to
maximize the time when your primacy and recency are balanced.
Contrary to popular belief, memory or good retention. You don’t have to force yourself to study and understand more in order to improve your memory; the key is actually in your lifestyle, your attitude, your
diet, and your habits.
You Are What You Eat
It is often said that your brain is probably the greediest organ in your body, and it
requires a very specific type of nutrition from your diet. It shouldn’t be surprising then that
your diet affects how your brain performs, and it performs well with a steady supply of
glucose. Before you go out of your house in the morning, it would be great if you can give
your brain the fuel it needs by eating a hearty breakfast. A salad packed full of
antioxidants, including beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, should also help keep your
brain in tip-top condition by helping to reduce damaging free radicals (damaging
molecules). As you grow older, your brain has lesser capacity to defend itself from daily
threats like free radicals, inflammation, and oxidation. That’s why aging people need more
nutrition than younger ones.
Free radicals are like cavities to your teeth; they slowly build up if they’re not
cleaned out. As the brain cells grow older, they sometimes stop communicating with each
other. As an effect, it slows down essential processes like thinking, short-term memory
retrieval, and regenerating new cells. Therefore, anti-oxidants are essential to maintain
not only good health, but a good memory as well. Good sources of anti-oxidants are:
*Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Carrots, spinach, cantaloupe, winter squash

*Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, broccoli, strawberries, tomatoes
*Vitamin E: Nuts, seeds, vegetable oil, wheat germ
Studies show that fatty food that causes artheosclerosis (clogging of arteries) are
also the same type of food that disrupts neural activities. Cut back on the fat and replace it
with foods rich in anti-oxidants. Nothing will replace a well-balanced meal, but to make
sure that your body doesn’t lack any of its nutritional needs, it would be a good idea to take
food supplements. As the name implies, they’re supplements, and not replacements.
Scientific research also indicates that eating fish can indeed sharpen your memory.
Most fish fat contains the polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA, which performs a significant
part in the brain development of young children. Tests show that kids who consume
adequate foods containing DHA score better on IQ tests than those who take lesser
amounts of DHA. Fish also contains omega-3 fatty acids which opens up new
communication centers in the brain’s neurons. This allows your mind to operate at its peak
performance.
Another significant finding suggests that smoking can affect the ability of the brain
to process information properly. Chain smokers have higher risks of impairing their visual
and verbal memories. So the next time you think of smoking, remember that it’s not only
dangerous to your health, but you are sacrificing your memory functions as well.
Caffeine and alcohol causes anxiety and nervousness. This may hamper
information from properly entering your mind because memory works best when you are
relaxed and focused.Reduce Stress
Medical researches show that people who are always anxious produce “stress
hormones” like cortisol, which damages brain cells. Make it a point to do something that will relax you everyday. Try meditating, yoga, drinking tea, taking a long bath … whatever works for you. A very effective method to reduce stress is deep breathing and visualizing the expected outcome of any situation to turn out well. Don’t forget to get enough rest.
Poor memory is often a result of poor self-image. After all, it all starts and ends in
the mind. So to have a healthy mind, believe that you can achieve anything you desire.
Boost your self-esteem and be confident in your abilities. Your attitude should be
supportive of your goals.
Cardiovascular exercises like walking improves blood circulation and are good for
the heart and brain. Research also indicates that walking helps release hormones that aid
in regenerating new brain cells. If you’re bored with just plain walking, engage into sports
that you love. Play basketball, volleyball, tennis, or anything that excites you. By
exercising, you can lessen your chances of developing high blood pressure which
contributes to memory loss when you get older. So get up and get moving. Not only will
you be getting a fit and healthy body, but you’ll also sharpen your memory and improve
your creativity. Not to mention the fun and camaraderie you’ll be getting with your
teammates and competitors.
Just like any muscle, you also need to exercise your brain so that it doesn’t
deteriorate. Engage in games that will help you think. Talk to people, read informational books, listen to educational tapes, and make it a habit to continuously learn and practice them all.







