In just a couple of months, you will be taking your final exams. Whether you need to prep for weekly quizzes now, or you’re mostly concerned with finals, you might be wondering about ways to boost memory power. Yes, there are some safe and natural ways to do this.
Get more vitamin D. Vitamin D is linked to cognitive function, and many of us suffer from low levels. Your body will manufacture its own vitamin D in response to sunlight exposure, so try to spend more time outdoors. Some foods, like dairy, are also fortified with extra vitamin D.
Exercise. Kill two birds with one stone, as the old saying goes, and get some exercise while you’re outdoors. Studies have shown that even short bursts of exercise can boost memory and cognitive performance.
Cut back on refined carbs. Refined carbs, like those found in packaged vending machine foods, white breads, and sweets, lead to a short-term blood sugar spike. Shortly after, blood sugar crashes, leaving you feeling lethargic and moody (and probably craving another snack). The crankiness and fatigue will effect your memory, too. Lay off the refined carbs and sugar, and eat whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats instead. Keeping your blood sugar levels more even keeps your brain functioning at optimal levels.
Consider a fish oil supplement. Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and a substance called DHA, known to boost memory and improve brain health overall. As with any supplement, discuss this with your parents first.
Try meditation. Meditation reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, helps your brain build gray matter, and can even boost memory. Set aside just fifteen minutes per day to practice meditation (you could combine this with a yoga practice if you wish).
Get adequate sleep. You might be running short on sleep due to a heavy study schedule, but sleep deprivation impairs memory. Therefore, you’re undermining your own efforts if you don’t get adequate sleep! Go to bed each night at the same time, and make sure to sleep for at least 8 hours (9 is better for teens).
Exercise your brain. If you enjoy gaming, try online crosswords, Tetris, or word-recall games. Some games are even designed specifically to boost memory and are marketed as such. Must like exercise strengthens the body, even just 15 minutes per day of targeted effort can improve your cognitive processing powers.