6 Natural Ways to Improve Your Short-Term Memory

Have you ever started a conversation but then forgot what you wanted to say? Or walked into the supermarket only to forget what you wanted to buy?

If you answered yes to these two questions, your short-term memory may need some improvement.

Short-term memory is the mental process of storing information for about 15-30 seconds. Now, you don’t have to remember every single bit of information. But forgetfulness can be frustrating. And it can even pose danger when performing daily tasks like cooking or driving. 

The natural ways to improve memory listed below may not help you memorize a deck of cards, but they’ll help you remember names of people you’ve just met or where you’ve kept the keys.

NATURAL WAYS TO IMPROVE SHORT-TERM MEMORY

1. Eat ginger.

Research shows that ginger can treat memory loss and dementia. This study on healthy middle-aged women found that taking ginger supplements can improve attentiveness, working memory and reaction time.

There are many ways to eat ginger. You can cook with it or try these ginger drink recipes.

2. Practice meditation.

Meditation can help improve both short-term and long-term memory. Even better, people who have never practiced meditation can improve their memory in 8 weeks, research shows.

It’s worth mentioning that people who practice meditation report to lose short-term memory when they fall off the wagon.  

3. Avoid sugar and foods with added sugar.

Researchers say that sugar can ruin short-term memory. It raises blood sugar levels which consequently reduces attention span and ruins mood. Sugar is in almost every processed food. So reduce intake of processed foods and avoid using table sugar.

4. Use supplements.

Some supplements have been proven to improve short-term memory. They include:

• Curcumin: Is a compound found in turmeric. This study found that curcumin improves memory and attention span.
• Magnesium l-threonate: Has been proven to boost short-term and long-term memory.
• Ginkgo biloba: One of the best brain supplements. Research shows it can greatly improve short-term memory.

5. Get 8 hours of sleep.

Data show that almost half of Americans don’t get quality sleep at night. And this is bad news because lack of sleep lowers brain function. According to research, we can remember up to seven bits of information at a time when we get quality sleep. But people who are sleep deprived can only remember one or two bits of information.

6. Eat dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate doesn’t just suppress appetite, it also improves memory. The compounds in dark chocolate improve: blood flow to the brain, responsiveness and attention span. In one study, researchers found that your memory can improve by 30 percent for 2-3 hours if you drink 2 cups of hot chocolate.