Resources

Did you know? Over the past couple of decades, studies have been done on the importance of forgetting. We are often focusing on remembering, but how does forgetting play a role in our memory?

“In a world buzzing with information, it is essential to be able to turn down the noise and discard useless details, so they don’t interfere with access to new learning or ideas. Without our awareness, and particularly during sleep, the brain is constantly sorting out which memories to keep and which can be purged and forgotten. The ability to forget helps us prioritize, think better, make decisions, and be more creative. Normal forgetting, in balance with memory, gives us the

This week’s fun fact is all about our furry friends! According to recent studies, pet ownership can help slow cognitive decline and prevent dementia in older adults. One study suggests that owning a dog may lower dementia risk by up to 40%! These studies state that pet ownership helps reduce isolation, increases exercise by promoting dog-walking, and improves overall daily function/routine.

 Read more here:

Did you know? Vocabulary is one of the only brain skills that gets better with age. Go ahead, be sesquipedalian. (throwback to a previous Wordy Wednesday!)

One of the best ways to increase your vocabulary is through reading! Try to set aside some time each day to read. It is a great way to mentally stimulate and exercise your mind while also learning vocabulary. Having trouble reading the font? Go to your local library or bookstore and inquire about large font books.

Did you know? Utilizing storytelling can be a big help for memory recall. Instead of just trying to remember a few facts, get creative and make a story out of them.

‘Our brains are better able to recall narratives because we have a sequence of events to follow. For example, you might need to recall Newton’s Three Laws of Motion for your physics class. You might create a story about a futuristic hero, Captain Velocity, who explores three planets in the Galaxy of Motion. The different planets could represent the laws of inertia, force, and action and reaction.’

Read more about how to use storytelling for memory recall:

This week’s fun fact should hopefully inspire you to learn a new skill!

Your brain has the ability to learn and grow as you age — a process called 𝑏𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦. This means that you can train your brain at any point in life!

“One key to keeping your mind young is to keep it busy and challenged through lifelong learning and stimulation. Traveling, learning new languages, picking up a musical instrument, taking art or cooking classes, doing puzzles, playing board games — all these things promote the growth of new brain cells and help the brain forge new pathways.” 

Did you know? Testing yourself on information is better than simply rehearsing or re-reading it. Some of us may shudder at the thought of a test, but this brain fact actually refers to low-stakes testing of yourself to improve recall and memory.

“Rather than constantly being spoon-fed the information by re-reading it in the same book, testing forces us to confront gaps in our knowledge and makes the brain work harder to retrieve a piece of information. In doing so, it actually strengthens those neuronal connections and makes it easier to retrieve in future.”

Whether you’re studying, or trying to remember something important, why not implement some mini tests for yourself to recall the information?

Did you know? One of the most integral aspects of cognitive function is hydration. Not only is drinking enough water necessary for the rest of our body, it also has a huge impact on our brains’ capabilities. “Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills.”

If you feel your brain may be getting foggy while doing a task, or you’re having a hard time paying attention in class, ask yourself when was the last time you drank water. While dehydration isn’t the only reason for decreased cognitive performance, it is certainly a good place to start.

Source: Adan A. Cognitive performance and dehydration. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012 Apr;31(2):71-8. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2012.10720011. PMID: 22855911.

In this age of technological advancements, most of us have given up the art of handwriting for typing- whether that be on mobile device or actual keyboard. Nothing wrong with that switch. Right?

Turns out, “giving up this slower, more tactile way of expressing ourselves may come at a significant cost, according to a growing body of research that’s uncovering the surprising cognitive benefits of taking pen to paper, or even stylus to iPad — for both children and adults” (NPR).

Even though both handwriting and typing involve movement from our hands and fingers to create words, handwriting actually creates a deeper engagement of the brain by requiring more fine-tuned coordination between motor and visual systems.

Given handwriting’s shown cognitive benefits, it is w

This week’s fun fact about memory should be especially exciting for all the chocolate lovers out there. Did you know that dark chocolate can help you study better?

The flavonoids found in dark chocolate with high-cocoa content have been shown to improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. An online article from Harvard states that “several studies demonstrated evidence of improved brain blood flow, oxygen levels, or nerve function” in those who consumed cocoa drin

Did you know? “Sixty percent of the human brain is made of fat. This makes it the fattiest organ in the human body. These fatty acids are crucial for your brain’s performance, so make sure you’re fueling it with healthy, brain-boosting nutrients.”

Here are a few examples of good “brain food”:

-Salmon 

-Eggs 

Did you know that sleep plays a critical role in learning?

A case study found in a National Geographic article states that, “If your brain is an email account, sleep- more specifically, a nap- is how to clear your inbox.” While sleeping, your short-term memory storage can move memories to the long-term cache which makes room for more thoughts and ideas to come into your brain.

So, if you have a big test coming up, or an important work meeting that will bring on lots of information, you might want to take a nap!

Source: 𝐽𝑎𝑔𝑔𝑎𝑟𝑑, 𝑉𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑎. “𝑁𝑎𝑝𝑠 𝐶𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 ‘𝐶𝑎𝑐ℎ𝑒.’” 𝑁𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐺𝑒𝑜𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑐. 2007.

 Fun Fact of the Day: As humans, we love to brag about our brain power, but there are 3 animals that give us some serious memory competition. The real MVPs for outstanding memory capabilities are squirrels, elephants and dolphins.