I Told You I Was Sick

If you want to know how to increase concentration and memory, this article may help. No matter what your age, loss of memory and difficulty concentration can make working and living a pain in the neck. Learn some common causes of poor memory and some natural ways to boost it.

What Causes Poor Memory?

Poor memory can be caused by a wide variety of different factors including age, vitamin deficiencies, poor diet, media bombardment, mental illness, gluten intolerance, ADHD and Asperger’s syndrome. If you’ve “always had a poor memory”, one or more of these factors is likely to be the culprit.

Supplements to Improve Memory

Memory and diet can sometimes go hand in hand. Poor diet devoid of nutritional value can cause the brain and nervous system to become sluggish and slow. Reaction time, concentration, coordination and memory can all be affected by a diet of fast and processed foods. Supplements can help improve memory naturally.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

You may have heard somewhere that fish is “brain food”. Unfortunately, the high mercury content in fish may cause more health problems than it solves. This is where krill oil comes in.

Unlike fish oil, which can quickly turn rancid on the shelf, krill oil is a stable, sustainable source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. These acids are absolutely critical to the proper functioning of the human brain. The Standard American Diet contains very little of this essential nutrient, which can lead to premature memory loss. In addition, lack of omega-3 fatty acids can lead to mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

B Vitamins

According to research, B vitamins improve memory naturally by protecting the neurons around the brain. They also aid in the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the brain. B6, B12 and folic acid are the three most essential B vitamins to boost memory.

Herbs to Improve Memory

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a stimulant herb designed to boost memory naturally. Widely used in Europe for treating patients with dementia, this herb has also shown promise in naturally relieving the effects of ADHD.

Ginseng

Ginseng is another herbal stimulant that can be used to improve memory naturally. Ginseng tea, tincture and caplets are the most common methods of taking this herb.

Activities to Improve Memory

Dancing

A comprehensive 21-year study of elderly patients aged 75 and older revealed dancing to be an effective way to improve memory naturally. Dancing improves memory by creating new neuronal pathways in the brain. Plus, it’s fun, social and a great way to keep in shape!

Paying Attention

It sounds like a no-brainer (no pun intended) but a lot of memory problems are actually attention problems. The information we’re so desperately seeking at the right moment isn’t there because it never was to begin with.

The next time somebody is talking, listen. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak. Really listen. Absorb what the person is saying and repeat key points in your mind. Connect those key points to images. Respond by repeating back those key points. It will help your memory and help keep you better focused on conversations.

Believing in Yourself

You can also increase concentration and memory naturally by simply believing you have a good memory. It’s all about the Law of Attraction. What you think about, you bring about. Start believing in yourself. The next time somebody tells you something you need to remember, simply say to yourself, “I’ll remember this.”

Associate the information with a strong visual image and repeat it several times to plant it firmly in your memory. Another trick is to associate the information with a strong emotion. It may not always be the best approach but it’s another great way to improve memory naturally.

Playing Puzzles and Games

I’ll be the first to admit, I do not like puzzles or anything that makes me use my left brain. I’m guilty of believing I don’t really have one. My ability to understand these things is limited and puzzles and games only frustrate me because of my Asperger’s symptoms. However, I have gotten into some right-brained games such as matching and memory puzzles, which boost my confidence in myself.

The best way to improve memory naturally is to try to figure out what’s causing your poor memory in the first place. After that, supplements, herbs, dietary changes and memory-boosting activities can go a long way in improving your focus and recall.

Just remember (again, no pun intended) to take caution when using supplements, especially stimulants. Start with a small dose at first and gradually work your way up. If you have a serious medical condition or are taking any prescription medication, contact a health professional before trying herbs.

Having a poor memory can make work and social life difficult. Others may believe your forgetfulness is purposeful or that you just don’t care. If it makes you feel better, gently inform people to the contrary. You’re a good person. You can’t help forgetting things. Just do the best you can and take good care of your health. The rest will follow.

Next: What Causes Brain Fog?