In our fast paced society, we are constantly learning new information and we need to have a better memory to retain it all. Students need a better memory for studying and passing tests. People need a better memory to be good at their job, and we all need better memories to remember important dates and facts. However, most people have trouble recalling new ideas and facts. Memory deficiencies often transpire as we grow older, but there are numerous factors that affect our memories, such as stress, fatigue, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to enhance your memory using easy mnemonic devices and hypnosis and memory enhancement. 

Mnemonic devices are valuable memory retention techniques. They come in the forms of words, pictures, or any other associations that help you link concepts and information to each other. Acronyms are a common mnemonic device formed using the initial letters of words or word parts in a phrase or name. For example, let's say you want to remember a list of cheese, ham, eggs, soap, and salsa. You could use the acronym "CHESS" for cheese, ham, eggs, soap, and salsa. The acronym and the effort you put into thinking of it help you remember the list. 

Acrostic sentences are very much like acronyms. You can use acrostic sentences to remember ordered lists or sequences of events. In an acrostic, you use the first letters, syllables, or words of a phrase to remember another message. One acrostic sentence students learn in mathematics is "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" to remember the order of operations (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction). 

Another famous mnemonic technique is called the "Method of Loci." The Method of Loci was used in ancient times to memorize speeches. In this technique, you link information to visual cues along a path. First, you think of a physical path you know well, such as a walk through your house or the commute to work. Imagine yourself moving along this path, and identify specific landmarks that you pass by. Each landmark will correspond to something you need to remember. Once you have identified your path and landmarks, you mentally associate a piece of information with each landmark. Another technique is the "chunking" method of memorization. This method is helpful in committing to memory a series of numbers, such as social security numbers, phone numbers, and dates. For example, you probably remember your social security number as a set of three, two and four digit numbers, or three sets of three digits. Using the chunking technique, you break up a large amount of information into "chunks" that are easier to manage and remember. You can also put information into categories to help you remember more complicated things. 

Now that you know these techniques, you can utilize them when you are trying to remember information. To successfully form a memory, focus on what you need to remember, taking a few seconds to process the information. You should eliminate distractions from your surroundings that divert your attention from what you want to learn. Write down the information, read it aloud to yourself, and try to engage all of your senses when you are learning new information. If you can experience or associate the information with all of your senses, you will remember it better.

Stress can impair your ability to concentrate and memorize information, so you must remain calm! To cope with stress, you may be interested in using hypnosis to improve concentration, memory and recall abilities. Although memorization tricks are beneficial, stress and lack of focus are the top reasons why people struggle with memory problems and can hamper your success using the techniques. If anxiety and concentration problems are causing your memory problems, you can use hypnosis to improve memory and recall abilities significantly. Your memory will be greatly enhanced by combining memorization tricks with hypnosis and memory improvement techniques. Hypnosis memory improvement techniques will help you relax and concentrate on information. Hypnosis and memory techniques will enhance your short-term memory by increasing your awareness, so you never forget things such as where you left your keys or wallet. Hypnosis and memory enhancement will also help you cope with anxieties that interfere with your ability to remember things, such as anxiousness before an exam or a presentation at work. Many students suffer from test anxiety, but this can be overcome by hypnosis therapy. Likewise, many people "freeze" and forget things during public addresses, a problem that can also be overcome by self-hypnosis memory improvement techniques. 

Hypnotherapy is the best way for people to commit information to memory because it calms the mind and increases the ability to focus. You can make hypnosis and your memory work together to eliminate your memory problems. One day, hypnosis and memory may become inseparable as people learn how hypnotherapy can make their lives better.

Alan B. Densky, CH has specialized in the practice of hypnosis and Neuro-Linguistic Programming since 1978. He offers NLP MP3s for concentration, memory and recall. Visit his Hypnotherapy MP3 Downloads site for free resources & MP3 downloads, and his Hypnosis Video Blog for tips & tricks.

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