Simple Tips to Improve Your Short-term Memory

Each and every day we deal with a huge volume of information, and sometimes it is really difficult to remember some details. Short-term memory is the one that stores recently assimilated information, such as a phone number or a name. Some people have a very good memory, and they easily remember every detail, while others don’t. Short-term memory can be, however, enhanced by natural means.

A number of studies made by the University of Michigan analyzed the effects of walking in nature on cognitive functions. In the first stage of research, the subjects were required to repeat a series of numbers, in reverse order, for 35 minutes. Afterwards, they were asked to walk: a group near a forest, and another group in a crowded area of town. When they returned, they repeated the memory test. The results showed that the memory performance was more efficient by 20% for the group which walked in nature, and there was no change for the other group.

Another research done in 2005 showed that contemplating photos of natural landscapes has a comforting effect on cognitive function, too. There was an immediate improvement in memory after contemplating images of trees, hills and meadows, while there was no change after looking at photos of streets, industrial units or geometric shapes.

A real fuel for the brain which also improves short-term memory efficiency is soluble coffee. Recent studies have demonstrated that the amount of caffeine from a cup of coffee (60-100 milligrams of caffeine) stimulates thecognitive functions. Thus, there has been noticed a faster thinking processes, bettermemory and attention. The effects of coffee consumption are visible on both the information processing time, and the amount of information retained, caffeine increasing the memory speed with 10%.

Consumption of coffee is listed among the natural methods for a better memory and for an easier focus on the information that we have to remember. Caffeine shrinks blood vessels in the brain, so the metabolic functions take place faster, energizing the brain. Even if some people retain information more easily than others, practice can make each of us have an excellent memory. Along with coffee, we should eat and fish, vegetables and fruits and do sports at least 15 minutes every day.