what can I do to improve my memory? (particularly short-term memory)?

Question

I cannot remember anything that i just did. I am an artist and I am struggling to remember even the songs that i just wrote. I write several songs a month and listen to them over and over and still not remember all of the words. This is not the only thing that I cannot remember, just the major thing, right now. I am only in my twenties. (seriously) This has hendered me getting to do live perf's like I would like to. What is there that I can do the improve this short term memory loss? It seems like it takes forever to remember things. And to be totally honest, I feel like my short term memory is completely gone. It feels like a struggle to remember things that I just did or need to remember to do. I spend more time trying to remember not to forget to remember something. I am just wondering what to do to improve upon this. It is one thing not to remember what some else (does) has done, but when it is something you do every day, it becomes very worriesome/ debilitating issue.

Answer 1

Hi,

As a registered znurse who has wokred with Dementia and Neurological memory loss for many years, the first advice I have is have it checked out by a neurologist.

No insurance, find a medicaid medical clinic through social services in your area. I have seen lots of memory loss from young ages to old and the first screening is ALWAYS medical. You could, for instance, have a congenital abnormality from a blood disorder to a physical change in your heart that is causing low oxygen levels that is causing memory loss. No, low oxygen levels would not neccessarily mean you also have breathing problems, they are different, I am referring to anemia.

The most important thing to remember is that MEMORY LOSS
IS NOT ALWAYS PROGRESSIVE OR LONG TERM, so many causes can be treated. BUT YOU have to find the cause and that begins with a medical check-up. ,One other caution, if is is not just your anxiety talking and it is as bad as you percieve it to be, try not to wait any longer, a manageable problem can become less manageable if neglected too long.

Take care of yourself, there are probably others in this world who want you to be around and to remember their names.

A caring Mom, Mary

Answer 2

There are some good memory improvement programs out there. My mother bought one, and I tried it just for the fun of it, and found (to my amazement!) that it worked quite well...that I could train my memory to remember better.
I also made a point to stop trying to remember everything, and let my calendar, my datebook, etc, do a lot of the remembering for me...I think that I was overloading myself. Maybe you could let yourself off the hook a little, and make sure that all the words are written down, and get yourself a snazzy music stand to use in your performances. People want to listen to your music...I don't think that whether or not you remember the words is a reflectin of what kind of musician you are.
My brother uses a digital recorder, about the size of a business card. He carries it in his front pocket, and says that he uses it for the trivial things so that he won't have to waste his mental energy...saving it for the good stuff, I guess! I bought his on E-bay.
There are some good ideas at this site:
http://www.memoryzine.com/
Also, have you had a physical, and made sure that everything is OK with your health? Your memory problem doesn't sound like a typical one, and you should check to make sure that something else isn't going on. I absolutely thought that I was getting Alzhymer's, and went to the neurologist, and found out that the medication I was taking to help me sleep caused memory loss in some people!!
Good luck!!

Answer 3

Attention and Intention. Pay attention to what you're learning, and decide to remember it. We learn and retain information best when we have a strong motivation for committing the material to memory.
Relate to what you know. How does the new information relate to concepts with which you're familiar? Decide whether to emphasize memory devices, visualization, or reciting. Storage seems to increase if we pronounce the names of the items out loud—especially if they are grouped rhythmically. Grouping items into threes or fours also seems to aid recall.
Become the teacher. Grasp the basic idea and explain it to someone else in your own words.
Organize. Make notes, and remember that 7 items is the maximum your short-term memory can hold at one time. Categories with 7 or fewer items will work best.
Visualize. Your brain thinks in both words and pictures, so give it both: diagrams and charts, as well as pictures of what you need to know, such as a log cabin with Lincoln's birth date above the door.
Talk to yourself. Reciting as you read and reviewing notes out loud increases attention and motivation, and creates a stronger neural trace of memory by utilizing more senses.
ASAP review. If you go over what you've learned for just five minutes immediately after you've learned it, your retention will be far higher than if you skip this valuable step.

Answer 4

Apart from a healthy diet, practise yoga regularly. Following asanas are good for the memory: Sun Salutation, (Surya Namaskara), One-Legged Prayer Pose (Eka Pada Pranamasana), Dancing Pose (Natarajasana), Headstand Pose (Sirshasana), Shoulder Stand Pose (Sarvangasana), Humming Bee Breath (Bhramari Pranayama) and Concentrated Gazing (Trataka). Rishi, Yoga Teacher, Divine Wellness, Delivering yoga at your home.

Answer 5

If it is that bad try talking To a doctor, it may be more than simple annoying memory problems..

Write things down, that always helps unless of course you forget where you put the paper...

You can try Thought association, what ever it is you want o remember... think of something that is easy to remember that is associated with it

Answer 6

Carry a large or small notebook with you. It's been proven that the process of writing things down commits them to memory, even if you never look at the list or notes again.

Otherwise, get a small pocket voice recorder.

Stress and/or depression can also cause this distractibility. Or maybe you had adult ADHD.

Answer 7

Ok, this is not normal. We all go through brief moments of forgetfulness, but you have something wrong. You need to see a doctor. Go to your family doctor, explain the situation. They will probably send you to a neurologist for further testing.

You've got to do it. There is nothing you can take that is going to fix this. No herbs, no vitamins....nothing like that. You need some brain scans. I don't think it's anything like a tumor (so don't go there).

Answer 8

Do crossword puzzles, math problems, and study a foreign language. These are all exercises for the brain. If the problem continues, see a neurologist.

Answer 9

Ginko biloba and blueberries ( super brain food) also there is a new study out that says smoking marijuana dramatically slows down the progression of alzheimers.

Answer 10

Talk 2 ur doctor , i know that there are pills for that kind and stuff.. and some exercisers to improve ur memory :)