| How's your memory? Have you ever forgotten | | | | the goal. Playing video games can improve |
| where you left your car keys? Or which area | | | | your short term memory skills while you have |
| of the parking lot that you parked your car? | | | | fun and exercise your brain. Most card games |
| Or the name of the person you were introduced | | | | require a strong level of recall ability. |
| to just seconds ago. Memory is a general term | | | | Even simple games from childhood can help |
| used to describe a variety of brain | | | | improve short and long term memory. Most |
| functions. It is the ability to recall both | | | | people will be familiar with the card game |
| recent events and events that occurred many | | | | simply called "Memory" where all the cards |
| years ago. Some level of memory loss is a | | | | from a deck are placed face down on the table |
| normal part of the aging process for some | | | | and each player attempts to find matching |
| people although many people retain extremely | | | | pairs. This old game is a brilliant way of |
| sharp memories for their entire lives. | | | | improving your memory. And the more you play |
| Recently, there has been encouraging research | | | | the better you get. Another memory and recall |
| reported by Harvard Medical School that | | | | game from childhood is to look around the |
| suggests that the brain continues to develop | | | | room then close your eyes. With your eyes |
| new cells and makes new connections between | | | | still closed you must recall all the blue |
| them. This capacity for rejuvenation | | | | items, or all the red items. Open your eyes |
| introduces the potential for future medical | | | | and see how well you remembered what you had |
| treatment to reverse memory loss. In the | | | | previously seen. This game not only improves |
| meantime there are many options to help brain | | | | your short term memory, it stimulates the |
| function and improve memory as we age. | | | | brain and improves your observation skills. |
| Remember the adage: "use it or lose it" ... | | | | This memory game also teaches participants to |
| this certainly applies to memory. Often we | | | | think in pictures. It is generally agreed |
| learn best when we aren't aware that we are | | | | that people with photographic memories think |
| learning! An example of this is when we are | | | | in pictures so this is an excellent memory |
| having fun or playing games. Many games can | | | | habit to develop. When you're looking for |
| help you improve both your short term and | | | | games to play to improve your memory it can |
| long term memory. Crossword puzzles can be | | | | be fun to check out your local toy store. |
| both challenging and fun. They often force us | | | | Look at the range of board games available |
| to delve into our longterm memory to recall a | | | | and you're sure to find many games that will |
| word. They keep the brain active and | | | | be helpful in improving your memory. Use your |
| stimulate thought processes and recall | | | | imagination and you may be able to develop |
| ability. Video games are an often overlooked | | | | your own games to improve memory while having |
| source of improving memory. Many games will | | | | fun! |
| require that you negotiate your way through a | | | | |
| mapped course ... you will be required to | | | | Alison Stevens is an online author and |
| remember where you have been, who you have | | | | maintains How To Improve Memory Website to |
| seen and recall landmarks. Without good | | | | offer knowledge and advice to anyone seeking |
| memory skills it can be impossible to achieve | | | | to improve their memory. |