How to increase your memory

The memory is one of the key functions of the Brain. Even if you have other brilliant characteristics of having a brilliant mind-power and brain-power, if your memory is not upto the mark, you may not be recognized as a brilliant person. However, it is also true that having a very good memory is not a true factor of having a very good level of IQ. But the layman recognizes one's IQ from his memory first and other things next. Some great philosphers and scientists are known to have poor memory, perhaps in their later stages of life. A general question that pops up in every body's mind is whether it is possible to increase one's memory.

In fact, in my view, everybody has same type of memory, but the reason why some persons who have less memory as compared to others may be mental tension, worries, lack of practice, etc. On other reason as per my view could be having lesser knowledge. This may look strange, but you can see the justification of this argument from the fact that one of the factors now known for increasing memory is linking a particular information to other things of facts. If you have more knowledge about things and facts, you will be able to link the facts to more of them, so that you will find it easier to remember. Let us now, without arguing more on this aspect, try to see whether the linking factor can be useful in helping us remember the information longer than normal. Let us see for figures. In order to link each figure to a particular item, let us allocate some items to each figure as base information:

1 - Gun 2 - Shoe 3 - tree 4 - door 5 - hive (Beehive)

6. chicks(chicken), 7 - heaven, 8 - gate 9 - line

Now suppose, you want to memorize a figure 35449392

First of all arrange a sequence of items allocated to each word as follows

tree, hive door door line tree line shoe

Now create some story type event. For example, you can imagine that there is a large
mango tree(3), one which there is a big beehive(5). Nearby the tree, there is a beautiful house having two doors (44). When you go from one door to another door in a line (9), you will find another similar tree (3). then proceed further in the same line (9)and you will find a very big shoe (2).

Once you memorize such a sequential picture in you mind, you can remember it longer and can decode the information into figures as per the allocation of items made to each figure. The above if only an attempt to make out a picture in your mind. You can, in fact, make out more interesting pictures which may be difficult to forget.

These are only a few attempts to invent some ways to memorize things. You can invent more way outs as per your circumstances and preferences, as such methods work best when they suit your personality and circumstances.

In addition, there could be certain foods and medicines which could be helpful in enhancing memory. Indian Brahmi is also believed to enhance memory.

One other way to memorize some difficult words or figures could be to read them loud in a singing way, better if you can mould it into some musical tune, known to you. Once you repeat the tune three or four times,your brain accepts it into its system and it is very easy for you to remember it longer.