Improve Memory: 8 Tips To Sharpen Your Memory (PHOTOS)

Have you ever found yourself in mid-sentence when suddenly you've forgotten the point you were trying to make? Do birth dates or simple tasks (like DVRing one of your must-see TV shows) sometimes slip your mind? You're not alone -- these random acts of absentmindedness are normal and can be due to tiredness, anxiety and stress (along with age, of course).

But here's the good news: Research shows there are simple strategies that can boost your brainpower -- no matter how many candles will be on your birthday cake this year. 


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Next time you're looking for some extra brainpower, go mow the lawn. After years of research, neuroscientists at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, discovered that the scent of fresh-cut grass triggers two sections of the brain -- the amygdala (which deals with emotions) and the hippocampus (which deals with memory). As a result, taking a whiff of this outdoorsy aroma can help relieve stress and boost memory. But Australian scientists weren't completely surprised that these reactions occurred simultaneously, since chronic stress is directly associated with forgetfulness. Don't feel like doing yard work? Lighting a scented candle or fragrant oil that smells like fresh-cut grass should also do the trick. 
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Next time you're looking for some extra brainpower, go mow the lawn. After years of research, neuroscientists at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, discovered that the scent of fresh-cut grass triggers two sections of the brain -- the amygdala (which deals with emotions) and the hippocampus (which deals with memory).

As a result, taking a whiff of this outdoorsy aroma can help relieve stress and boost memory. But Australian scientists weren't completely surprised that these reactions occurred simultaneously, since chronic stress is directly associated with forgetfulness.

Don't feel like doing yard work? Lighting a scented candle or fragrant oil that smells like fresh-cut grass should also do the trick. 



More From Aol Health:
Memory Loss More Common in Men Than Women
Doodling Improves Memory
Tricks to Delay Alzheimer's

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That's silly Bingo

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Comments

[Chuck Pope]

11:45 AM on 01/07/2011

I don't know that fresh cut grass will trigger any more memories than any other scent. It has been known for a long time that smells can trigger memories that bring us back to earlier times. The main reason people have a hard time remembering is simply because we have too much information to process on a daily basis. Not to mention the dumbing down of our brains do to the excessive amounts of chemicals in our food. Our brains do lose some of it's ability starting around 20years old, but just as any other organ we can exercise it and keep it functioning properly. But when you spend your days in front of the boob tube or focused on one task for months at a time then you lose some of it's functionality to recall things you knew as a child. How many people can still do their multiplication tables like they did when in school? Not many, because we just don't think about it as often. So as the old saying goes"use it or lose it".

[GonzoFactor]

10:48 PM on 01/06/2011

Freshly cut grass? Not for people with allergies to fescue and other grasses.

[SaraSH]

01:08 AM on 01/06/2011

My Neurobio prof once said tapping your feet helps a lot and I always do that and it honestly makes me memorize and focus better...and I am sure it annoys those who share a table w me!

[rjaxone]

12:14 AM on 01/06/2011

...and don't forget to visit the library--provided you can remember where it is.... You might even volunteer to mow the lawn; then go inside and take a nap...

[FerFer1958]

11:16 PM on 01/05/2011

when I chew gum the muscles in my forehead are moving. of course this must give the brain a light massage and it should work better. People with Alzheimer should chew gum to improve brain activity. They should also do stationery bike. These 2 things will give them more blood circulation on the brain.

[hippy26ish]

10:42 PM on 01/05/2011

at least these suggestions were not another litany of: consume blueberries, or anything from the berry family, meditate, destress.... and while these have been proven to assist for the engine of recall, after a while they become cliche. i have such a difficult time retaining long term information that it makes it difficult right now that im a student. ive consumed so much from the berry family and the omega3's that im just bereft of tricks to assist in memorization. now, ill have to try the grass trick and chewing gum to summon up information next time.

[Suntio]

11:48 AM on 01/15/2011

I was thinking of trying to squeeze in a nap between classes at lunchtime, with headphones on listening to a lecture.

[yill danniel]

08:06 PM on 01/05/2011

I can't stand the smell of mow grass so I'm going to pass on this method.

[Murphdogg]

03:17 PM on 01/05/2011

Sniffing fresh mown grass gives most people a "hayfever" allergic reaction, which in turn slows down mental processing. Doh!

[maxfax]

03:49 PM on 01/05/2011

Americans spend way too much time indoors compared to a couple of decades ago, we contribute to our unhealthiness.

[Murphdogg]

04:33 PM on 01/05/2011

No doubt. I'm just saying not to stick your snoot into some new mown grass and expext positive benefits.

[Chuck Bluestein]

02:17 PM on 01/05/2011

I have heard that certain scents can have a good effect on a person. It is called aromatherapy. As far as a power nap to help memory, the majority of people do not get enough of sleep. That means that they are not operating at full mental or physical capacity. Sleeping is one thing that you cannot do do too much of.

Now you can eat too much of a healthy food, exercise too much, get too much sunlight at one time so why can't you sleep too much? That is because it is not under your concious control. If it were, then most Americans would not have trouble sleeping. If you do not need sleep, you will not be able to fall asleep. Of course I am not talking about that new division of sleep called stage 1 sleep where you are lying down resting and trying to fall asleep.

Some people need 24 hours a day of sleep. They are in a coma. Sleep is not a waste of time but very important to how you feel and look. The only way that you get enough sleep without a nap is where you go to sleep and your body wakes up without an alarm. An alarm wakes you up before you have gotten enough sleep.

[Laurence Girard]

01:42 PM on 01/05/2011

That's really interesting how smelling grass affects the brain! I'll have to try that! I also think the idea of chewing gum is great, but it doesn't work for everyone. Cutting back on calories is a GREAT idea. Whenever I eat a lot blood rushes to my stomach and away from my brain. People don't realize that once and a while they need to give their stomach a break! Sometimes I fast for 24 hours twice a week and that seems to help me quite a bit. Another thing I like to do is drink water, that helps so so much with concentration. I take a magnesium supplement myself and I think it's great. Adding fats to your diet is great, as long as they're healthy fats. I stick to nuts and fish. This was really a great article because it addresses mental health, even though it's an article about how to remember things. Mental health is an aspect of health that is really neglected by a lot of people. One of my friends is depressed and he refuses to see a doctor because he doesn't think it's a real disease! There's really no point in having your physical health if you don't have your mental health. I wrote an article on my blog that has some tips for reducing stress and improving mood on my health blog. Here it is -> http://applebananacoconut.com/tips-to-reduce-stress-and-improve-mood
Laurence
[e-mail]

[breakingrocks]

12:16 PM on 01/05/2011

Wow! I really need something to sharpen my...uhh, what was it again?

[Lena McFarland]

12:11 PM on 01/05/2011

cool.