15 Exercises to Improve Your Memory

If you find that you are having trouble with basic memory and recollection, you have come to the right place.

Some of us have a tough time remembering even simple things like where we left our keys or what we had for dinner the previous night.

Generally speaking, the older we get, the worse our memories become.

However, just because you cannot stop the eternal process of aging, you can help keep your memory sharp over the years.

Today, we want to take a look at 15 exercises you can do to improve your memory.

15 Exercises to Improve Your Memory

1. Simple Repetition

One of the most effective exercises to improve your memory and focus is to engage in repetition exercises.

This exercise is not as much about general memory as it is about recalling specific facts. It has been shown that the act of repetition can and does aid in memory recall.

Simply put, the more times you repeat a fact to yourself, the more likely you are to remember it.

For example, when you study for a test, you might read the same text 10 times because the simple act of repetition and drilling that same information helps us remember.

2. Out Loud Repetition

Related to our previous point, another exercise that is shown to help us better remember things is out loud repetition.

Just reading a text or facts may not be enough to drill that information home. It has been shown that reading out loud is a more effective memory exercise.

This is because you are taking that information in through your eyes, and you are also forced to process it as you speak it out loud.

You are then forced to process it a third time as your ears hear it. For people who have trouble remembering, reading aloud is a great way to help solve this problem.

3. Record and Listen

Yet another exercise that can help you recall facts better is by recording and listening. The fact of the matter is that not everybody is the same.

Some people learn best by reading, some by writing, and some by hearing. If you are one of those who learn best by reading, you should try recording info on your phone or a tape and then playing it back to yourself.

This works just as well for driving directions and cooking recipes, and remembering essential facts for the big exam. You can also engage in mass repetition by doing this.

You can keep recording new audio and then listen to it over and over again. This way, you speak and hear the information, making it easier to remember.

4. Write it Down Several Times

The next exercise that can help improve your memory, particularly your ability to recall specific facts, is to write down that information several times. As mentioned above, people are different, and you might learn best by writing the information down.

Studies show that writing information down by hand, with pen and paper, is much better for general memory recall than using a computer or tablet.

Either way, the simple act of writing down the information forces you to process it twice, once as you read it and once as you write it. You can then also engage in repetition by repeating this process over and over again.

5. A Game of ‘Hide the Keys’

This memory exercise focuses on improving your general memory rather than improving your ability to recall specific facts.

When you come home, you probably have a particular spot for your keys. You put your keys in that same spot every time, so when it comes time to leave the next day, you don’t have to look for them or think about where they are.

However, if you want to improve your general memory, every time you get home, put the keys in a slightly different place. Find various spots in your home to put the keys in.

Start with simple locations that are easy to remember, and then slowly increase the difficulty, always finding harder and harder spots to remember.

This will help keep your brain alert and force you to engage your recollection skills to remember where the keys are.

If you cannot remember where your keys are day after day, maybe a brain-boosting supplement such as SynapseXT might be of help.

6. Cooking Recipes from Memory

Another exercise that can help improve your memory and general cognition is to cook. Specifically, you want to cook without looking at the recipe. The first time you cook something, you will obviously need the recipe.

However, as you cook that same dish repeatedly, you should be able to remember more of the ingredients and steps.

You can start with simple dishes that are easy to remember, foods with just a few ingredients, and cooking steps. As your memory and cooking skills improve, you can move onto more complicated recipes.

Not only does this help improve memory by getting you to remember specific recipes, but it also forces you to use various cooking skills. These will test your ability to remember them correctly.

7. Learn to Play an Instrument

When it comes to exercises for improving memory, one of the most effective is learning to play a musical instrument. Learning to play music involves several aspects that will test and train your ability to remember.

First, you have to learn to read and interpret sheet music. You then need to learn to play a specific instrument. You then need to learn to convert that sheet music into the notes on your instrument. Finally, you then also need to remember different pieces of music.

All these factors come together to give your brain a workout. Learning to play music and a specific instrument is excellent for your memory.

It’s great for improving focus and concentration. As with everything else, you can start with a very simple instrument and basic music pieces, and then gradually advance in difficulty as your skills improve.

8. Act Along with Movies and Shows

For all of you out there who love to watch TV and movies, mainly repeats of your favorite movies, this exercise is for you. Watch a movie or TV show and focus on a specific scene. Pay attention to the dialogue of a single character.

Try to memorize just a few lines. Then, a week later, watch the same scene and see if you can say the character’s dialogue along with them at the same time. As you get better at it, you can memorize more extended scenes with more dialogue.

This is a very unique memory exercise. You won’t find much talk about it in many other places, but it definitely works. Suppose you want to memorize an entire movie.

In that case, we recommend enlisting the help of an effective brain-boosting supplement such as SynapseXT.

9. Take Different Routes Home

Something else that can improve your memory is taking different routes home from work, school, or from the grocery store every time you drive home.

When you go home the same way each time, your brain gets so used to it that you could probably drive home with your eyes shut if it weren’t for traffic.

The point is that after a certain number of times, you don’t have to remember the way home at all anymore.

Therefore, to help keep your focus, concentration, and memory working at full capacity, try taking a slightly different route home each time. This will force you to remember the geography and the layout of the whole area to get home a great memory tester.

10. Draw Maps

One of the more unique exercises you can do to improve your memory is drawing maps. The first time you draw a map by hand, you will need to look at the original map.

However, as you draw that same map, again and again, you should be able to remember specific details, routes, and structures without having to look at the original map.

Do it enough times, and realistically, you should be able to draw the majority of that map without having to look at the original. It’s a great way to test your memory.

We would say that this is one of the more advanced memory exercises for large and complex maps. Still, it is a proven memory improvement exercise.

11. Learn a New Language

Learning a new language is also very difficult, and the older we get, the harder it becomes. This is why learning a new language is excellent for training our memories.

Of course, learning a new language involves many different aspects, and it can take years to do.

However, learning a new language is great for your memory, vocabulary, and general knowledge. It also helps make you a more cultured and diverse human being.

Having to remember all the new words, pronouns, language rules, and more will stimulate and exercise your brain.

12. Meditation and Relaxation Exercises

If you want to improve your memory, one of the best things you can do is meditate and engage in general relaxation exercises.

On its own, meditation is excellent for memory, focus, and concentration, because it forces you to look inwards and to clear your mind.

Moreover, meditation is well-known for being a stress and anxiety reliever. Of course, remembering anything when you are under stress or feeling anxious is not easy.

13. Crosswords

Although very simplistic in nature, crossword puzzles are a great way to improve your memory. They can be simple or extremely complex. They ask questions, and you provide answers in the appropriate field.

It may not be the most advanced memory improvement exercise, but it does teach you little facts. The simple act of writing them down can help you learn and remember them.

14. Memorizing Phone Numbers

Yet another excellent exercise for improving memory is memorizing phone numbers. The days of us needing to memorize phone numbers of our friends are gone; smartphones have taken care of that for us.

However, although they are called smartphones, some might argue that they are making us dumber. The simple act of having to remember a litany of 10-digit phone numbers is sure to kick your brain into gear.

15. The ‘What’s Missing Game’

Our last exercise to improve memory is the ‘what’s missing game.’ Take a picture of an outdoor scene, such as a park.

Take a good few minutes to analyze the picture and try to memorize everything present. Then, the next day, go back to that same spot and take a look to see what’s new and what is missing.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are plenty of exercises that can help improve your memory.

These exercises come in many forms, so you should find one that works for you, or several if we are realistic. Remember, if you want to boost your brain into overdrive, a brain supplement such as SynapseXT could help.