Remember Where You Left Your Charger? Here Are Six Ways to Improve Your Memory

This post is presented in partnership with PINPOINT Bright Brains.

We've all been there: You've got five minutes to leave the house and you're trying to figure out where you put your wallet. Or maybe you were supposed to pick up something important from the supermarket but you only remember as you walk through the front door. Or maybe it's a multiple-choice question in an exam that you studied for the day earlier and when you try to rack your memory for the answer, you come up blank.

We get it. However, before you give up on your trusty old brainbox to remember things and start investing in some Black Mirror-like technology to replace your memory, did you know there are actually some scientific-y ways to improve it?

To make things a bit easier for you, we've collated a bunch of methods and lifestyle changes to help you on your way to having scary-good memory.

Eat Healthily

Unfortunately, all those late-night fast food runs aren’t giving you the nutrients you need to remember where you put your charger. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever eat junk food or chocolate (which I consider separate from regular junk food) again; it just means you should be making sure you balance your diet better.

In fact, studies have shown that certain foods are linked to improving your memory. Foods filled with Omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruit are great for learning and memory, and have even been linked to a decrease in mood disorders like depression.

Foods such as broccoli, spinach and potatoes also have a proven effect on improving memory deficits.

And, not to be the fun police, but foods high in saturated fats and sugar have actually shown to decrease cognition and learning ability. So, maybe save that burger for after your exam. If you know it's healthy, it's likely to benefit you in some way.

Consider Natural Supplements

While we try our best to have a balanced diet, sometimes we get a little obsessed with certain food categories or types of foods over other ones. When this happens, we often miss out on important nutrients that our body needs for healthy functioning.  

The best source of these nutrients is, of course, from the original source (the food) themselves, but when that's not possible, sometimes turning to natural supplements can really help out in the short term. 

One of these options could be PINPOINT Bright Brains. Each capsule contains an extract of Bacopa Monnieri which is apparently a useful herb for enhancing memory, focus and concentration.

It's important, however, to read the labels and only use as directed.

Exercise

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if your daily exercise routine consists of moving between the kitchen, the couch, your bed and the toilet, then it's probably not going to cut it.

Again, our trusty friend science has explained to us non-scientific plebs that the 'brain fog' you might experience when trying to remember somethin' can actually be mostly fixed with a healthy dose of exercise.

But don't panic; exercising, while being many people's number one fear, doesn't have to be a horrible journey. In fact, you can start with these six no-frills moves (or these gym-less ones) to help you transition into a more regular routine. If you're still needing motivation, check out these quick tips to help you get over the initial hump that is movement. We know exercising can be harder than taking a rocket science exam, but we've got you.

Get Better Sleep

What's something we all love and want but can never get enough of? Sleep.

Well, that's something we need to fix ASAP because a lack of sleep affects us pretty drastically in two ways. First, when we're tired, we don't learn efficiently. Secondly, a good night's sleep actually helps us to remember the lessons of the previous day. That's why some people suggest studying just before sleeping (but, see the first point again: do that before you get tired).

So, how much sleep do you need? Most teenagers will need around eight to ten hours of sleep while those over 17 need around seven to eight. Obviously, everyone is different, so it's best to trust your body on this one and see what feels right... unless that's more than 12 hours.

Start small by having a consistent sleeping schedule and not looking at your screen for about 45 minutes before bedtime. We have some good news too: Midday power naps are actually recommended to help with mood and health.

Use Mnemonics

While you may not know what mnemonics are (the word itself is derived from Ancient Greek, meaning 'memory'), you’ve most certainly used them before in some form or another.

Mnemonics are a memory device that—surprise!—help you to remember certain things by associating the information with cues. Have you ever used highlighters? Have you tried remembering the months of the year through a rhyme? Have you ever had to remind yourself that "i comes before e except after c"? Then you have used mnemonics to remember something.

Mnemonics are a bit of a no-brainer when it comes to remembering things. If you need help in the more immediate sense, using mnemonics to study subjects for an upcoming exam will likely increase the chance of recalling that specific fact.

Train Your Brain

Now, it should be noted that so-called 'brain-training' apps such as Luminosity or Elevate don't actually have any scientific backing, but they might inspire you to take some of the previous steps.

If you do like the idea of training your brain through fun problem-solving, a study has actually shown that reading and solving arithmetic puzzles every day will, indeed, help your brain get the workout it needs. To get started on that, you could just buy a book with a bunch of problems and solve a few each day.

Easy, right?

Just because you tried all these tips over a period of two days does not mean you'll suddenly be able to remember the first solid meal you had. With a balanced and healthy lifestyle, and by employing some techniques and habits, you'll slowly improve your overall memory. Only then might you be able to remember where you last left your phone charger. Maybe. 

This post is presented in partnership with PINPOINT Bright Brains. The writers at Student Edge are not medical professionals, so it is best to do further research and consult your doctors when necessary. 

PINPOINT Bright Brains supplement was developed, with Bacopa Monnieri extract BOD68, to help enhance mental focus and cognitive function. Learn more here.

Photo: Columbia Pictures