Cognitive stimulation is just as useful for training your memory as physical exercise is for training muscles.5 A memory “workout” can mean engaging with a cognitive training program like Lumosity, or it can be something as straightforward as playing an occasional game of Solitaire. You could also deliberately take the time to challenge your memory in the same way you might challenge your body.

This could mean trying to perform math equations in your head, or writing down a to-do list and trying to recall the items on it after an hour has passed. Keep up with any regular exercises you engage in, and you will see the results – you’ll remember your old scores and realize how much you’ve improved!

Other things you can do to get better at memory-related tasks include taking care of yourself physically and mentally. Research into the memories of mice, for example, reveals that those who exercise regularly experience improved memory function, suggesting that physically fit people probably can see similar results.6 Taking a walk, jog, or even just making some time to do some jumping jacks can have a remarkable effect on improving one’s memory power.

More recent studies also indicate that mindfulness can play a powerful role in maintaining neuroplasticity in this way; in 2019, a team of researchers found that “even brief periods of mindfulness can help people improve important areas of learning with relatively little investment before the learning process begins.” Even a little meditation can go a long way towards improving verbal learning and memory

In this way, eSmartr can help with memory retention as well; our sleeves are designed to stimulate nerves in the forearm that signal the brain to be more open to accepting and storing new information. Not only does this make learning easier, it also makes meditation and mindfulness practices easier, enhancing the process of getting better at memory and related tasks.

There are no shortcuts and no quick fixes; if you want to know how to “get better” at memory, it’s something you will need to work at to see results. Aids like the eSmartr Sleeve and Lumosity can help to speed things up, but the bottom line is that the more work you put into your brain power, the more brain power you’ll have. Start with mindfulness, cognitive training, and physical health; these are great places to begin seeing improvements that can help launch you forwards into enhanced learning.