Memory Tips, October 2015 Back Issue

This is the October 2015 back issue of my Memory Tips email newsletter. To learn more about this free newsletter or to start receiving it in your email, please visit the Subscription Page. A list of back issues is available on the Back Issues page. I send out the newsletter once a month, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

So much to remember, so little time

Welcome to the OCTOBER 2015 issue of my free Memory Tips email newsletter. Below are powerful strategies for improving your memory. Ready to boost your brain power?

Below are powerful strategies for improving your memory. Plus I've included links to free online brain games that can strengthen your thinking skills.

In this issue:

Read Out Loud (to Someone) to Improve Retention
Solitaire Card Game Boosts Working Memory
Double Your Focus with Pomodoros
FREE Brain Games: Improve LOGICAL THINKING skills

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My goal is to help you learn faster and remember more. That's why I created Memory-Improvement-Tips.com and this email newsletter.

The secret to a more powerful brain is two-fold: 1) improve your brain health, and 2) learn memory techniques. This can lead to more success and fulfillment in life!

Read Out Loud (to Someone) to Improve Retention

Previous research has shown "reading aloud" can improve your memory of the material. According to a new study, you can recall the information even better if you read it out loud to someone.

Reading aloud works powerfully as a memory technique for some people, and it may work for you.

Saying words out loud taps into what scientists call the Production Effect. When saying the information out loud, you "produce" the words yourself rather than reading or listening passively.

Producing words creates an additional pathway to long-term memory. By addressing someone else when doing it, you boost this effect.

The read-aloud-to-someone technique can help you memorize school work or information needed for your job. Or commit shopping lists, phone numbers, details from news articles, and other everyday facts to memory.

Abraham Lincoln would read out loud as his go-to memorization technique. He was famous for his impressive memory.

You may want to limit what you read out loud to the hard-to-remember details. As researchers have pointed out, we best remember what stands out.

Make the difficult material stand out by speaking it verbally out loud, preferably with an audience. Save this trick for the items you have most trouble mastering, especially when you have a lot to information to memorize.

The good news is that, unlike memory skills such as the phonetic-number method that require preparation such as pre-memorization, reading aloud is easy and can be done by anyone at once.

The next time you encounter information you want to memorize and remember, try speaking it out loud to someone. Give it a try!

References:

- Repeating Out Loud May Boost Memory
(http://www.universityherald.com/articles/24543/20151007/repeating-aloud-may-boost-memory.htm)
- Say It Out Loud - I'm Creating a Distinctive Memory
(https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/ulterior-motives/201005/say-it-loud-i-m-creating-distinctive-memory)

Solitaire Card Game Boosts Working Memory

Working memory is the gateway to long-term memory and intelligence, according to many researchers. You can boost the power of your own working memory by playing the simple solitaire card game outlined below for 10 minutes a day.

All you need is a deck of 52 playing cards. The game itself is called "Number, Color, Suit".

Start by shuffling (mixing) the deck. Now hold the deck of cards face-up in one hand.

With your other hand, lay down each card from the deck one at a time. As you lay down the first card, say it's number (value) out loud.

Say the color of the second card. Then say the suit of the third card.

Lay down the rest of the cards one at a time, repeating the number, color, suit sequence out loud. That's it!

For example, suppose the first three cards are the 3 of Hearts, Ace of Clubs, and 10 of Diamonds. You would say "3", "black," and "Diamonds."

The Number, Color, Suit game forces you to hold the desired sequence in short-term memory while at the same time examining individual cards one by one. This multidimensional activity exercises your working memory.

A more powerful working memory can help you ignore distractions and stay focused. Being able to hold more items in short-term memory can also enhance problem-solving and learning ability.

References: - Working Memory: The New IQ
(http://equippingminds.com/working-memory-the-new-iq/)

Double Your Focus with Pomodoros

Isn't it frustrating when that project at work takes longer than it should? Or if you're a student, don't you hate it when you run out of time when studying for an exam?

The best way to get a task done right and in the shortest amount of time is to focus on that one thing. But without a time-management system, interruptions and distractions (such as emails, phone calls, and Facebook) cause us to work inefficiently.

We need a tool to keep our minds on track. One focused task at a time, without losing concentration.

If you're not currently using a time-management tool, I've got just the thing. It's free, I use it myself every day, and it's called the Pomodoro technique.

The Pomodoro is a timer-based method for getting more done with less stress. Pomodoro is Italian for tomato, named after the type of kitchen timer used by Francesco Cirillo, the inventor of the technique.

Here's how the Pomodoro technique works:

Set aside 25-minute intervals during which you work only on a single task, whether it's writing a research paper, studying for a chemistry exam, or tackling a project for your job. Refuse to be distracted by anything or anyone during this 25-minute time block.

Then, rest your mind for 5 minutes. Get a drink of water, check the news, walk around.

When 5 minutes are up, start your next 25-minute Pomodoro. The split is 25 and 5.

You can use a kitchen timer as Francesco did originally. Or you might prefer an electronic web-based Pomodoro application like Moosti (the one I use), or a smart phone Pomodoro app of which there are several to choose from.

Benefits of Using the Pomodoro

The 25-minute intervals keep your attention on the task at hand. This limits the number of disruptions of your focus and flow, greatly enhancing your efficiency.

The 5-minute break helps refresh the mind in preparation for the next 25-minute focus time. According to some researchers, these breaks may also aid in assimilation and learning.

This remarkably simple time-management tool is also remarkably effective. I wouldn't be surprised if you tell me it doubles the amount of work you get done, with much less stress.

In addition, the Pomodoro technique has been shown by studies to improve mental agility, a brain skill that allows you to solve problems and work more creatively under stress.

So not only will you get more done, you'll strengthen important brain skills at the same time.

References: - The Pomodoro Technique
(http://francescocirillo.com/pomodoro-technique/)

FREE Brain Games: SHORT-TERM MEMORY

There are 261 free online brain games on my website, Memory-Improvement-Tips.com. You can play them online anytime.

No restrictions, no logging in. Just pick a game, go to the game page, and start playing.

Below are links to three of the online games that strengthen logical thinking, an important brain ability. Logical thinking is used to understand new information and during problem solving.

Play these free games now to give your brain a boost:

Epic Rail. This is Epic Rail, a game where you are traffic control director of the railroad. Your goal is to drop off the passengers from each train at the correct stations. Empty all the trains as fast as you can to earn medals.

Racehorse Tycoon. Race Horse Tycoon is an online horse game that will test your strategic thinking and logic skills. Skillfully manage a thoroughbred racehorse and turn a profit if you can!

Goodgame Empire. Goodgame Empire is the most detailed strategy game on my website. Build your castle and defend it against attacks from real players. Did I mention that it's free? My character has reached Level 52 so far (a pretty high level), and I haven't paid a dime.

That's all for now, and thanks for reading. For lots more tricks and strategies to improve your brain, visit the Get a Better Memory page on my website.

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