- Nov 19, 2021
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One of the lingering after-effects of CoVid-19 was the thought that brain fog–and its impact on our mind and long term memory–were terribly real. Everybody that came out of it began to second-guess whether they were still as sharp as they were before the virus hit. And while most of us might not really get the answer to that worrying question, there is definitely a solution for it. According to a series of studies and research by Harvard University, it’s not a hard thing to do to sharpen your mind with simple things you can do every day. Whether it's sprucing up your memory or challenging your mind to do things differently, these tricks will help you hone that brain power like nobody’s business.
1. Learn A New Game Or Skill
Think of it as flexing your mind muscles. Every time you put yourself to the task of acquiring a new skill–say, learning a language or how to cook something a little more complex than instant noodles–you stimulate your brain cells and the communication between them. If you don’t have time to master Russian or a Veal consommé, don’t fret. Even doing a tricky jigsaw puzzle or memory game can keep your mind active.
2. Challenge Your Senses
Studies show that the more of your sense you engage in the process of learning something, the better the chances of retaining that memory. In one study that Harvard did, the focus group was shown a range of emotionally neutral images, each of which was also presented with a smell. No instructions were given about trying to recollect what they had seen. Later, they were shown a series of pictures, this time without the aromas, and asked to pinpoint which ones they had seen before. The subjects had excellent recall for all scent-paired images–particularly those associated with pleasant scents. Brain imaging showed the piriform cortex (the main odor-processing region of the brain) started to be active when people saw things paired with smells.
3. Say Things Out Loud
The simple act of hearing words aloud makes them more likely to stick with you–as does the process of repeating them. This works especially well when you just learn something–like meeting a new person. If you’re introduced to somebody new, and you use their name a few times in the first conversation you have with them, you’re likely to link their face and their name and recall it with far greater ease later.
4. Break Information Up Into Pieces
The greatest example is trying to learn a phone number (even though, with cellphones, we’ve not had to in years). You’re unlikely to remember a cell number if you think of it as a ten-digit number. But break it up into parts; 3 digits, 3 digits, 4 digits, or 5 and 5 digits, and you're more likely to remember it by heart. Break information down into pieces and process it versus doing it as a whole and you’re likely to find yourself retaining much more of it.
5. Connect Old Information To New Information
Whether it's using mnemonic devices to improve your recollection or linking pieces of new information to the things that already exist in your life, this works as building blocks for a stronger mind and memory. The more tethered different information is to each other, the stronger and more unbreakable it's likely to be in your mind. If you make an effort to connect new information to things that are already relevant to your life, you have a good shot at remembering both.
6. Brush Your Teeth With The Opposite Hand
Brushing your teeth is an example, but basically trying to be ambidextrous (if you’re not), pushes your brain to work harder to do the same tasks, making it more active. You could try writing, eating, or even texting with your left hand (if you’re right handed–or vice versa), just to get into the habit of using both. This challenges your mind to make different connections and prevents (to some degree only, of course) deteriorating with age.
7. Cultivate A Social Life
Not necessarily raging into the am on the regular, but there’s enough material to suggest having friends is good for the mind in myriad ways. Meeting people and engaging in social interactions is considered far more kosher than a life of social isolation–which also can link to depression. Meeting friends also means conversations and healthy debates, including learning new facts and liaising with opinions that differ from your own.
Have a Good Day BHW Family
1. Learn A New Game Or Skill
Think of it as flexing your mind muscles. Every time you put yourself to the task of acquiring a new skill–say, learning a language or how to cook something a little more complex than instant noodles–you stimulate your brain cells and the communication between them. If you don’t have time to master Russian or a Veal consommé, don’t fret. Even doing a tricky jigsaw puzzle or memory game can keep your mind active.
2. Challenge Your Senses
Studies show that the more of your sense you engage in the process of learning something, the better the chances of retaining that memory. In one study that Harvard did, the focus group was shown a range of emotionally neutral images, each of which was also presented with a smell. No instructions were given about trying to recollect what they had seen. Later, they were shown a series of pictures, this time without the aromas, and asked to pinpoint which ones they had seen before. The subjects had excellent recall for all scent-paired images–particularly those associated with pleasant scents. Brain imaging showed the piriform cortex (the main odor-processing region of the brain) started to be active when people saw things paired with smells.
3. Say Things Out Loud
The simple act of hearing words aloud makes them more likely to stick with you–as does the process of repeating them. This works especially well when you just learn something–like meeting a new person. If you’re introduced to somebody new, and you use their name a few times in the first conversation you have with them, you’re likely to link their face and their name and recall it with far greater ease later.
4. Break Information Up Into Pieces
The greatest example is trying to learn a phone number (even though, with cellphones, we’ve not had to in years). You’re unlikely to remember a cell number if you think of it as a ten-digit number. But break it up into parts; 3 digits, 3 digits, 4 digits, or 5 and 5 digits, and you're more likely to remember it by heart. Break information down into pieces and process it versus doing it as a whole and you’re likely to find yourself retaining much more of it.
5. Connect Old Information To New Information
Whether it's using mnemonic devices to improve your recollection or linking pieces of new information to the things that already exist in your life, this works as building blocks for a stronger mind and memory. The more tethered different information is to each other, the stronger and more unbreakable it's likely to be in your mind. If you make an effort to connect new information to things that are already relevant to your life, you have a good shot at remembering both.
6. Brush Your Teeth With The Opposite Hand
Brushing your teeth is an example, but basically trying to be ambidextrous (if you’re not), pushes your brain to work harder to do the same tasks, making it more active. You could try writing, eating, or even texting with your left hand (if you’re right handed–or vice versa), just to get into the habit of using both. This challenges your mind to make different connections and prevents (to some degree only, of course) deteriorating with age.
7. Cultivate A Social Life
Not necessarily raging into the am on the regular, but there’s enough material to suggest having friends is good for the mind in myriad ways. Meeting people and engaging in social interactions is considered far more kosher than a life of social isolation–which also can link to depression. Meeting friends also means conversations and healthy debates, including learning new facts and liaising with opinions that differ from your own.
Have a Good Day BHW Family
