If you often forget things, doing this one simple thing might just make the biggest difference

According to her, “teaching others” also works. After learning something, ask the child to explain it to someone else, like a friend or even a parent. When they teach, they organise their thoughts, understand the topic deeply, and remember it better. “This happens because teaching requires recalling, understanding, and applying the information, which strengthens memory more than just reading,” she explained.

Repetition, when done the right way, also helps. Reading the same material many times is useful only if done actively. Reading silently without thinking may not help much. But if the child reads, recalls, writes, or explains it each time, memory improves faster.

She also suggested making notes in your own words. “Writing in your own words forces the brain to process the information instead of just copying. The brain stores processed information more effectively, making it easier to recall later,” Dr Anuradha told indianexpress.com.

Finally, short, frequent study sessions are better than long hours of study. Studying in small chunks with breaks helps the brain store information in long-term memory. Sleep is also crucial because the brain consolidates memory during rest.

In short, these habits improve memory by making the brain actively process, store, and strengthen information rather than just passively reading.

After learning something, try to explain it to someone else, like a friend or even a parent. (Source: Freepik)

Some other strategies to improve memory

Dr Kadam Nagpal, head of neuroimmunology and senior neurologist at Salubritas Medcentre, shared a few more strategies to help you improve your memory:

Stay organised: Keeping a daily planner helps prevent forgetting important tasks and reinforces memory by requiring individuals to write down information. Writing stimulates the brain to remember things in greater detail.

Get adequate sleep: Aim for 6 to 8 hours per night to support memory consolidation. Sleep strengthens memory retention by allowing the brain to process and store information.

Focus and minimise distractions: By paying attention to the task at hand and avoiding multitasking, individuals can ensure that the information they’re exposed to is retained correctly in memory. This prevents the cognitive overload that can result from divided attention.

Practice mental exercises: Brain-stimulating activities like puzzles, reading, or learning new skills can improve memory by promoting brain activity and strengthening neural connections.

Regular physical activity: Exercise improves blood flow to the brain and supports neurogenesis, enhancing memory retention and cognitive function.

Reduce stress: Managing stress through relaxation techniques or mindfulness can improve memory by reducing the negative impact of stress hormones on the brain.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.