This document discusses ways to improve memory through maintaining an active brain, using multiple senses when learning, having a healthy diet, repetition, mnemonics, and exercise. It explains that the hippocampus acquires and stores new memories, the amygdala reacts to emotionally powerful information, and the cerebral cortex stores information. Memory involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information, with different memory systems for short-term and long-term storage. The presentation provides tips like challenging the brain regularly, incorporating multiple senses, eating brain-healthy foods, revisiting information, using memory aids, and exercising for better memory and brain function.

1. Memory Man’s Best Friend? By Jamey Gelhar

2. Memory The purpose of this presentation is to give a very brief description of memory, and for the main emphasis to be about how you can increase and improve memory. Start out by watching this YouTube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grZuwo_YlY0 ENJOY!

3. Anatomy of Memory Hippocampus – acquires and consolidates new memories Amygdala – reacts to emotionally powerful information Cerebral Cortex – stores information Cerebral cortex Hippocampus Amygdala

4. Memory Systems Memory has three parts: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval. Encoding – the first memory process. This process involves the organization and transformation of incoming information so that it can be entered into memory Storage – the second memory process. Storage involves entering and maintaining information in memory for a period of time. The human memory system that stores information for brief time periods are called sensory memory and short term memory , while the more permanent system is known as long-term memory. Retrieval – the third memory process. Retrieval involves recovering stored information from memory so that it can be used.

5. The mind is very selective in what it stores It is also very distortive We sometimes “remember” our past experiences in a way that is different from what may have actually happened. Disagreements between past events from person to person

6. Improving Memory

7. Improving Memory Nobody can remember all the millions of things they hear, see, touch, taste, or smell. However, there are many things you can do to improve your ability to retain and recall memories. Keep Learning Use Your Senses Diet Repetition Mnemonics Exercise

8. Keep Learning Keeping your brain active is extremely important for retaining memory. Getting and staying in the habit of being mentally active. Challenge your brain with mental exercises. Brain activities are believed to activate processes to help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication

9. Use Your Senses Experiment With ceramics Smell the ingredients while cooking Your brain is more involved when you use more senses If you can incorporate touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing when learning new information, you will be more likely to learn and retain that information.

10. Diet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDeLf93JXoY Take a look at this YouTube video about diet and brain function There are several foods that have been found to aid in memory retention

11. Repetition/Mnemonics Repeat what you know Revisit learned information often and you will be much less likely to foget Mnemonics are a great way to remember things. Association Creativity

12. Exercise Those who exercise have been shown to have better memory and brain function than those who don’t. Cardiovascular exercise increases blood flow to the brain as well as other organs and also relieves stress

13. Conclusion As you can see, there are many different things you can do to improve memory and to benefit your learning abilities. A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!

14. Bibliography Association Between Mind-Body and Cardiovascular Exercises and Memory in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society; Oct2005, Vol. 53 Issue 10, p1754-1760, 7p, 3 http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?hid=122&sid=2a86a63c-f7f1-4a55-abfd-69fb26002b02%40sessionmgr4&vid=14 This source was an article from EBSCO that described the ways that exercise benefits brain function and memory. It had studies on adults who exercised and showed the results they found. Franzoi, Stephen L. “Essentials of Psychology” Thompson, 2008. “Memory” Ch 7, pp 244 This Psychology textbook was a great reference for the topic, although I focused on things that weren’t really included. It had great technical explanations of short and long term memory. “ Preserving and improving memory as we age” Harvard Women's Health Watch; Feb2010, Vol. 17 Issue 6, p1-3, 3p http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?hid=7&sid=2a86a63c-f7f1-4a55-abfd-69fb26002b02%40sessionmgr4&vid=12 This is the source that I used the most, because it was the most relevant to what I wanted to focus on, in relation to ways to improve memory and brain activity. This source described things you can do such as keep learning, health, positive outlook, etc.