How To Deal With Short Term Memory Problems: 11 Proven Strategies
In today’s article you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to deal with short term memory problems.
If you have ever come to the end of a ladder without knowing why you came down, you have a brief term memory problem. Whether your problem is the result of a medical condition or simply carelessness, here are some strategies to live by. Until you can use these ideas in your daily life, print them out or place a bookmark on these pages to help you remember.
How to Solve Short Term Memory Problems:
1. Visualize.
Picture in your mind what you need to do, visualize yourself as you perform the action, in as much detail as possible. If you need to remember to lock your door, for example, imagine closing the door and seeing your hand on the handle. Then imagine taking your key out of your pocket, putting it in your lock and turning it over, removing it, and putting it back in your pocket. The more you get into the details, the more likely the action will go to your head.
2. Make complete notes.
When you are in class, at a meeting, or simply for private reasons, take notes. Even if you never read it again, the act of writing it down will help you remember the information. And if you ever need to refresh your memory, you will know where to look.
Use a different notebook for each topic, project or interest. Choose them in a wide range of colours and shapes to help you differentiate between them. If you decide to take notes with your computer, a desktop search engine such as Google Desktop or Copernic can help you find old notes by looking for keywords. This means you will spend less time keeping it tidy.
3. Create several action plans.
For example, if you’re cooking for your family, write down a menu for each day of the week. Once you have written a plan, stick with it. In this example, go and buy the items you need for all the week’s meals and prepare them each day.
4. Put the object in a visual place.
If, for example, you keep forgetting fresh vegetables to rot in the cabinet, hang them on a shelf in a transparent bag.
If you must pile up quite a lot of stuff on your desk to remember, do it. Use baskets or containers if you want to make the room look tidier. If you need to take things with you when you are someplace, leave them in your bag when you are not using them. There are cheap bags, so get one for each activity you must do.
Make sure you do not need to remember it. If you at all times leave your shoes at the foot of the bed, or by the door, put them where you normally leave the receptacle and make room for your shoes.
5. Prepare a calendar or planner where you can write down the things you need to do each day.
Remember to write it down right after you are notified and check your calendar every day. Use only one calendar for work and private commitments.
6. Be careful.
Many short-term memory problems can be related to your ability to concentrate rather than your brain’s ability to remember. If you have forgotten the name of somebody you have just introduced, it may not just be a memory problem.
Did you listen as you were introduced or did you consider what to say next? Next time, look him in the eye when you shake his hand and repeat his name out loud. Then silently repeat several times. Make a conscious and active effort to watch out when you know you might forget something.
7. Make a to-do list.
If there’s something you do regularly, write down the order in which things must be done. They can be easy actions like a sequence of things to do to get ready for the morning, or more complex actions that are embedded in your job. You can write your list on an electronic device or on a piece of paper in a plastic folder.
8. Create a system.
Leave the object in place visible and leave it in view until you use it. This could mean placing items upstairs at the bottom of the stairs, placing bills in a prominent place until you pay them, or placing cat food on the cookie rack you use for breakfast.
This can help you combine certain actions with days of the week or actions you perform regularly. For example, if you have a cactus that needs to be watered every two weeks, do it every time your soccer team plays at home.
We all know the power of habit, why not use it to your advantage? Create habits to help you do things instinctively, so you are not just depending on your conscious mind to remember. Connect a new habit to an old habit, such as taking medication every time you brush your teeth.
9. Write.
Anything you want to remember, make it a habit to write it down. Use a whiteboard, chalkboard, notebook, palm of your hand or whatever you have on hand. Write down a shopping list, your commissions, your appointments, and even what you need to get off if necessary.
10. Use a computer.
There are programs and websites that let you create digital calendars where you can write down your commitments and reminders.
11. Believe in yourself.
Memory has a lot to do with trust. If you think you may have memory problems, there’s a high likelihood that this problem will reoccur. This is particularly true if you are attempting to remember something. Your lack of belief will keep you from remembering. Build confidence by congratulating yourself every time you remember something you would normally forget.
Thank you for reading this article on how to deal with short term memory problems and I actually hope you take action on my advice. I wish you good luck and that I hope that its content has been a good help to you.