Memory Acrobatics: Train your short-term and long-term memory

Have you ever wondered why you can remember some things effortlessly , while others are quickly forgotten? Our memory is a fascinating miracle . Every day it sorts and processes countless pieces of information, stores important experiences and helps us to complete complex tasks. But how does this complex system actually work? What role does short-term and long-term memory play in it? And how can we quickly and easily improve our memory performance through active training and exercises?

Short-term memory: our mental notepad

After our sensory memory has filtered the flood of sensory input we are constantly exposed to, our short-term memory comes into play. It acts as a kind of mental notebook where we can record and process information for a short period of time. Scientists also call it working memory because it actively handles information.

However, short-term memory has its limits : it can only store a limited amount of information for a few seconds to minutes. But this explains why we sometimes have difficulty remembering several things quickly at the same time - and why multitasking is usually not particularly effective.

Long-term archive: The memory home of our memories

In contrast, you can think of long-term memory as a huge, well-organized archive . Information is stored here for years or even a lifetime. And the capacity is almost unlimited - according to some estimates, the storage capacity of our entire memory is estimated at 2,500,000,000,000,000 bytes , which is equivalent to 2.5 petabytes .

In your personal archive you will find different types of information:

• factual knowledge (e.g. historical data)
• Personal memories (e.g. your first day of school)
• movement sequences (e.g. cycling)
• skills (e.g. speaking a foreign language)

We constantly draw from our archives – often without realizing it!

Memory in Action: Why Active Action Gets Our Brain Working

Now the question is: How can we effectively transfer information from short-term to long-term memory? The answer lies in taking action.

• Previous knowledge as a memory anchor: Our brain loves connections. The more we link new information with existing knowledge, the better we can store it. Active action creates experiences that serve as anchor points for new information.

• Consolidation through repetition: The transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory is called consolidation. This process is reinforced by actively repeating and applying the information. The more often you recall and use information, the stronger the neural connections in your brain become.

• Neuronal plasticity: Our brain is not a rigid structure, but is constantly changing through new experiences and learning processes. Every new experience and every learning process leads to the formation of new neural connections. The more active we are, the more we train our brain!

• Emotions as a memory boost: Emotions boost our memory because they stick better. Active action can help create emotional experiences that support the learning process. An exciting experiment or a lively discussion can anchor information in the memory better than dry memorization.

Memory Training: Exercises for Short-Term and Long-Term Memory

Enough theory, now it's time to get practical! Here you will find various exercises with which you can train or keep fit your short-term memory and your long-term memory. Very quick, very easy:

Forging Sound Chains

Use the power of music for your memory! Turn important information into a catchy rhyme or a simple melody. Maybe you've already been able to remember some things better this way:

• Planets: My Father Explains Our Night Sky to Me Every Sunday (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)
• Guitar strings: An Old Lady Went to Eat Herring (E, A, D, G, B, E)

The rhythmic structure helps your brain to better anchor and recall the information.

learning choreography

Bring movement into your mental work! Assign a specific body movement to each piece of information you want to remember.

• Vocabulary: Make a specific gesture for each new word, e.g. bark your hand like a dog for "dog" or point upwards for "tree".
• Grammar rules: Invent a little dance movement for each rule, e.g. turn in a circle for the subjunctive or take a step forward for the imperative.

When you remember, you perform the movements and not only activate your memory – the playful exercises can also motivate you.

building a mind palace

Become the architect of your own memory palace! Create a detailed place in your imagination - perhaps your home or a fantastic castle. In this imaginary building, you place the information you want to remember in prominent places. To access it later, you take a mental walk through your palace and collect the information. This method uses our spatial imagination to make abstract information tangible. If this sounds familiar, the brilliant fictional detective Sherlock Holmes uses this method.

chunking method

Group information into meaningful units . Instead of remembering a long series of numbers, break them down into smaller groups. The telephone number 0123456789 becomes 012-345-6789 or 01-23-45-67-89. Each group can then be linked to a meaning or an image.

cross-sensory learning

Activate as many senses as possible when learning. Write down the information, say it out loud, draw a picture of it and, if possible, feel or taste something that goes with it. The more senses are involved, the more firmly the memory will be anchored.

create cross-connections

Link new information with existing knowledge. Look for similarities, differences or unusual connections. These associations help to integrate new content into existing knowledge structures. To do this, create visual representations of connections. For example, draw a central theme in the middle and connect it with related concepts. This method promotes networked thinking and helps to store information long-term.

story technique

Combine dry facts into a lively story . The more absurd and emotional it is, the better it will be remembered. This method uses our brain's ability to store narrative structures particularly well.

Active Application

Apply what you have just learned in practice . Explain it to others, write an article about it or discuss the topic. The more you actively use the knowledge, the more deeply it will be anchored in your long-term memory.

Regular reflection

Keep a learning journal or create weekly summaries of what you have learned. This reflection helps to consolidate information and place it in a larger context.

Memory Booster: Other Factors for a Top Memory

In addition to active action, there are other factors that influence our memory:

• Sleep: Our brain sorts information while we sleep. So make sure you get enough rest after practicing and memorizing!
• Exercise: Sport promotes blood flow to the brain and thus supports our memory performance. In the best case scenario, your brain will thank you with greater sporting success - keyword neuroathletics .
• Nutrition: A balanced diet provides our brain with important nutrients. In addition to classic brain food, you can also take a look at our products. Whether cubes or minis , Focus Gummies ° or our fuel * : With Dextro Energy* you get important nutrients and vitamins for your brain.
• Balance: Too much stress can affect our memory performance. So make sure you relax regularly and don't start studying too late or under pressure. Give your brain some rest and relaxation every now and then.

Your memory in your hands

By actively processing information, linking it with previous knowledge, repeating it and experiencing it in emotional contexts, we can quickly and easily strengthen both our short-term and long-term memory. This allows us to learn important things faster or understand the world around us better. Remember: every new experience , every active learning and every conscious application of knowledge shapes your brain and improves your memory performance .

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° in Focus Gummies: Riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 each contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue and to normal mental performance.

A varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle are important.

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