Even with a good memory, you can inadvertently forget something important, for example, getting caught up with daily chores or thinking about equally important things. But you can make an effort to fix the situation. Here are some practical solutions in case you need help remembering what you need.
7 Practical ways to remember important things
1. Calm down
The first thing to do when you forget something important is to calm down, even if the information lost in the depths of memory is needed here and now. When you’re worried, your mind focuses on side thoughts, not what you’re trying to remember.
This leads to brain overload and condemns all your attempts to fail. When you calm down and relax, you will most likely be able to remember the moments that you missed. You should also tell yourself, “Never mind; I’ll remember everything I wanted soon.” This will help you feel easier.
2. Write about it
If you want to remember something in detail, for example, a birthday party, but you need clarification about details or need help remembering some important things, write a short story about it.
First, sketch out the “framework” of the best-preserved memories. Then, supplement them with facts that emerge gradually. Why does it work? The point is that when we write by hand, we make the brain work differently than when we try to reproduce thoughts in our head.
This helps to get more structured memories, as well as to restore details that seem insignificant. Focus on the moments of the event you are trying to remember and your emotions. By listing the feelings on paper, you will relive them again, making your memory work better.
3. Think about the context
To remember some information, think about the context. Ask yourself: is what you have forgotten a scientific fact? If so, to what branch of science can it be attributed? This focus helps you narrow your search and quickly recall information that has escaped you.
4. Go back to the place where the memory was formed
Imagine the situation: you were sitting in the kitchen and thinking about what to do in the living room, but you came there and forgot what you wanted.
If you fall into such a memory trap, go back to where the memory was formed, for example, in the kitchen, and think again about what you wanted to do. Our memory captures not only thoughts but also images. The environment can help you regain what you forgot and quickly remember what is needed.
5. Get some sleep
If you don’t need information urgently and can wait until morning, then it’s best not to torture yourself and go to bed. Due to mental overload, it can be difficult for the brain to restore what you have been looking for so long in memory. Sleep can be called a reboot of the body, after which it will be easier to remember what you forgot.
6. Get distracted
The brain stores much information that “intersects” in neural connections. Because of this, you may feel stuck while trying to remember something important. Also, when recalling what you need, you can involuntarily recall completely incorrect facts and things close to what you seek.
This turns into a vicious circle that drains energy and causes irritation. To avoid getting into it, get distracted by something. For example, remember the name of your grandmother’s cat, look out the window, and think about who a person walking down the street could work with. Then, go back to trying to remember what you need. After a break, it will be much easier to do this, as the mental stress will subside.
6. Recreate the stimulus
To recall an idea that was accidentally forgotten, it is necessary to recreate the stimulus that caused it to arise. For example, you could read an incredibly boring book and eventually develop something interesting but get distracted and completely forget about it.
Go back a few paragraphs or sheets, reread it, and maybe you can remember your idea. It works with anything that could be the reason for an exciting idea. You can listen to the same song you were playing when the idea came up to call the person you were talking to.
