Health Encyclopedia

Remembering tips

Alternative Names

Memory aids

Information

Here are tips to help you remember:

Associate, or link, the word or thing you are trying to remember to something else. For example, if Alex introduces you to Patty, you might remember them as A and P.
If you can't remember something at first, relax and try again.
Make lists, either on paper or in your head.
Read a lot if you have trouble remembering words. Keep a dictionary close by.
Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink. Alcohol can make it hard to remember things.
Repeat what you want to remember.
Take part in activities that stimulate the mind, such as crossword puzzles and board games. This helps keep the nerve cells in the brain active, which is very important as you get older.
Talk to your doctor about your medications. Certain drugs can affect your memory.
Think of faces when trying to remember names.

References

Verghese J, Lipton RB, Katz MJ. Leisure activities and the risk of dementia in the elderly. N Engl J Med. 2003;348(25):2508-2516.

Review Date:2/6/2008
Reviewed By:Daniel Kantor, MD, Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.