Name: Edgelle Mae A.

Ejercito

Short term memory allows you to retain a small amount of information for
a shortamount of time. Think of it as a temporary workspace where information is
consciously registered before being processed into long term memory.

A lot of short term data is thrown straight out and is never committed to long
term memory. But when we immediately throw out data we want to remember, it
becomes a problem.

So how can we retain the important stuff so that it sticks when we really want
to remember something? In this article, we'll look at the causes of short term memory
loss and how you can actively improve it through daily brain training, mnemonic
devices, an ultimate memory improvement software and memory supplements.

What Causes Short Term Memory Loss?

There are many things that disrupt your conscious processing of new
memories. For example, if you can't absorb new information properly, then you have
no hope of remembering it later.

It's quite normal to forget things committed to recent memory, like what you
had for breakfast or where you put your keys. This is a sign of aging, and its the
biggest cause of short term memory loss.

Your brain stops growing and starts shrinking in your 20s, and so you have
fewer brain cells as you get older. While it doesn't usually affect your active memory
(minutes), it does affect your recent memory (hours).

However, other types of short term memory loss can be a cause of concern. It
is associated with a whole host of diseases and disorders, including:

 Alcohol abuse  HIV/AIDS

 Alzheimer's Disease  Huntington's Disease
 Atlantic mussel food  Hypothyroidism
poisoning  Lead poisoning
 Cerebral tumor  Marijuana abuse
 Cerebrovascular Disease  Mental illness
 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  Morgellon's Disease
 Chronic Stress  Normal pressure
 Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease hydrocephalus
 Dementia  Sleep deprivation
 Depression  Smoking
  Drug abuse  Stroke
 Encephalitis  Syphilis
 Head injury  Vitamin B12
deficiency

If you feel your short term memory loss is not directly related to aging, you
should check out the section on The Wider Causes of Memory Loss.

However, depending on the underlying cause of your short term memory loss,
there are some practical techniques you can use to help restore it...

How To Improve Your Short Term Memory

Most people compensate for short term memory loss by keeping notes and
writing lists of important data. This may provide a quick solution but it doesn't
challenge your brain to remember more - if anything, you're using your active
memory even less. Automatically storing all your numbers in a cell phone or PDA
doesn't exactly help either.

Instead, it's far better to:

1. Perform Brain Training

2. Learn Memory Techniques
3. Take a Memory Supplement

All of these will optimize your brain to perform better naturally - without any
artificial aids which will ultimately make it lazy.

1. Brain Training

It's important to keep your mind sharp as you age. Studies have found that
seniors who do crosswords, puzzles, read, write and play card games delayed the
onset of dementia. You only need do this kind of mental exercise twice a day in order
to help prevent your mental powers from stagnating. The other good news is, brain
training is fun!

For memory improvement games, I recommend Lumosity online brain

training. It is free to begin with so you can get a taste of what's available, offering a
wide range of simple and scientifically-proven memory games designed for all ages.
By practicing daily, you can track your performance and monitor your level of
improvement. It is a great resources for anyone serious about sharpening their
working memory skills.

2. Memory Improvement Techniques

Take a look at some of these memory improvement techniques, designed to

help you store more dry data and flex that memory muscle of yours...

EXERCISE A - CHUNKING

Studies show that most people can comfortably store 7 random digits. In order
to make this a lot easier we naturally use a technique calledchunking - separating
the data into smaller blocks, such as hyphenating
phone numbers.

Some people stretch this technique to

remember their 16-digit credit card number, broken
down into chunks of 4 digits. Can you do this? Don't
worry if not, most people have simply never tried.
After all, we do have this mentality of writing things
down instead of making the effort required to
remember them.

So next time you need to remember a phone number, try the good old method
of chunking and committing it to memory first. Repetition and writing it down will help.
But the aim of this exercise is to recall the number from memory later on in the day -
and not have to refer to a cell phone or scrap of paper.

EXERCISE B - MNEMONIC DEVICES

A mnemonic device is a verbal or visual memory improvement technique that

makes it easier to remember a host of seemingly unrelated data. It works by evoking
vivid and unusual mental imagery and emotions, thereby giving dry data meaning.
 Simple mnemonics can be as basic
as a rhyme or acronym to create a
reference point for the data you're trying to
learn. For instance, My Very Easy Method
Just Sums Up Nine Planets tells us the
order of the planets in orbit is Mercury,
Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn,
Uranus, Neptune, Pluto. Don't worry Pluto,
you are still a planet to me!

We have all used simple mnemonics

like this before - but there are many more
This mnemonic device will remind
clever mnemonic devices to enhance your
you to call your angry gorilla-like
memory. My favorite are the ones involving
boss today.
colorful visualizations (like a ton of garbage
falling down on my head when the clock chimes six) reminding me to take the
garbage out.

Whether you are battling aging memory loss or super-charging a healthy

student memory, mnemonic devices are an excellent habit to form. You will soon be
able to quickly memorize long lists of items, tasks, or important facts and recall them
from your short term memory with ease. These can also be translated to long term
memories if you wish.

These powerful techniques can be applied to everyday life and not only help
you recall data more easily, it is also another great form of brain training.

3. Memory Vitamins

Sometimes memory loss can be attributed to a nutritional deficiency in the

diet. Experts recommend eating more nutrient-rich foods or specific vitamin
supplements to restore balance. This provides the brain with all the nutrients it needs
to function properly, including the way it forges and retrieves memories.

If you are looking to improve your short term memory, you may find it helps to
take a memory supplement, in addition to eating a healthy balanced diet. Using the
latest memory research, I have compiled a list of the best memory vitamins. These
include vitamins B, C, E and Omega-3 fatty acids.
 Long term memory is the ongoing storage of unconscious and conscious
information. It exists beyond your awareness but can be called into focus as needed.

This type of memory can last for days - or decades. It is created from short term
memories which are replayed and reconnected several times.

We can break down long term memories into two categories:

 Declarative memory resides in your conscious mind. It can either be episodic

(such as your first day at school) or semantic (such as the capital cities of the
world) and requires your conscious effort to recall.

 Procedural memory is a largely unconscious or automatic response to your

environment, such as how to ride a bicycle or play the piano. You can recall
procedural memory without consciously thinking about it.

In this article, we'll look at the causes of long term memory loss and how you can
actively improve it through brain games, memory supplements, and simple lifestyle
changes.

What Causes Long Term Memory Loss?

Long term memories naturally fade as you get older - this is completely
normal. Generally the effect is exacerbated by stress and illness, so it pays to create
a healthy, low-stress lifestyle and keep your immune system strong to fend off
disease.

However, serious long term memory

loss can be caused by brain injury, for
example as the result of a car crash. You may
have trouble processing and storing new
information which makes it hard to form new
long term memories. Or you may have
difficulty remembering certain tastes, smells
and sounds - it depends on what part of the
brain has been affected.

Other causes of serious memory loss

are neurodegenerative diseases - including Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia,
Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. For more
information see The Wider Causes of Memory Loss.
How To Improve Your Long Term Memory

Here are some powerful ways to improve your long term memory:

1. Exercise Your Body - Research has found a clear connection that exercise
not only keeps the body fit and strong, but reduces the chances of developing
dementia. That's because it improves the
function of your cardiovascular system - it
keeps the heart pumping fresh oxygen to the
brain. It also helps regulate blood sugar levels
(essential for diabetics coping with memory
loss) which affect the size of the hippocampus,
part of the brain which is critical to memory.

2. Exercise Your Brain - Another study

has found that seniors who do crosswords,
puzzles, read, write and play card games
delayed the onset of dementia. It's
recommended you do this kind of mental exercise twice a day in order to help
prevent your mental powers from stagnating.

For memory improvement games, I recommendLumosity (right). They offer a

huge range of simple and scientifically-proven games designed for all ages.
By practicing daily, you can track your performance and monitor your level of
improvement in terms of memory, attention and creativity. It's an excellent
website for young and old to sharpen their memory skills and improve their
mental performance all-round.

3. Sleep Well - Ever noticed how babies sleep far more than adults? That's
because their brains are rapidly developing, allowing their neuronal
connections to be remodeled during sleep. So if you are sleep deprived, you
are also depriving your brain from essential remodeling work and memory
consolidation.

4. Avoid Stress - When you are stressed, the brain releases a chemical called
cortisol which adversely affects your memory and other brain functions. So if
you are frequently stressed out you will find it tough to recall long term
memories - you'll have that feeling that your mind has gone blank - even when
the answer should be obvious. Cortisol also diverts glucose in the blood to
 muscles and away from the brain, so your hippocampus is again deprived of
oxygen.

5. Eat Well - Sometimes memory loss can be attributed to a nutritional

deficiency in the diet. Experts recommend eating more nutrient-rich foods or
specific vitamin supplements to improve memory. This provides the brain with
all the nutrients it needs to function properly, including the way it forges and
retrieves memories. To find out what supplements may work best for you,
see Memory Vitamins.

6. Concentrate More - Don't allow your brain to rot away by letting information
and opportunities wash over you. Take an interest in the task at hand and
give it your full attention. If you are not mentally challenged by your job, find
new ways to stimulate your brain by taking up a hobby or learning a new skill.
It's essential that you actively engage your brain in challenging tasks every
day.

7. Use Mnemonics - A mnemonic device is a clever way of engaging the brain

and improves your long-term memory at the same time. It works by evoking
vivid and unusual mental imagery and emotions, thereby giving dry data
meaning. In my article onMnemonic Devices I explain various systems
including The Linking System, The Name Game, The Loci System and The
Peg System. They can all help with long-term recall tasks like remembering
news and phone numbers.

8. Replay New Memories - If you are studying for an exam, review all your data
several times at different intervals to cement it in your long term memory. For
example, spend a few minutes reviewing your data about 10 minutes after the
initial lesson. This will keep it fresh for about 24 hours. So review again the
next day. Then again after one week. And finally review again after one
month. By this time it will take little effort to recall the information from your
long term memory.