MAKING MEMORIES

Focus on one thing at a time: You can’t remember every fact that comes your way. Decide what’s really important to remember.

Be an active listener: hearing is not the same thing as listening. Some people find it useful to jot down notes or “play back” the gist of what they have just heard.

Eliminate distractions: When you are younger, it may have been easy to study with the television on or the radio blaring. When you’re old, you probably have to eliminate distractions for best mental performance.

Practice, practice, practice: Repeated exposure strengthens the brain’s electrical pathways and greatly improves recall. Remember how many hours you spent memorizing multiplication tables?

Put new information in context: It’s much easier to remember something meaningful than something abstract or random. For best retention, associate new learning with something you already know.

Reduce stress: Stress, whether in the form of anxiety or depression, can be a major impediment to memory.

Become a creature of habit: Fix one spot to leave your eye-glasses, keys, and wallet.