A weak memory is a usually associated with progressing age; however, in this day and age, there are several young adults, teenagers and even children who have weak memories. Some of the main factors that contribute towards a poor memory are stress, unhealthy eating habits, lack of adequate physical activity, sleep deprivation, depression and the consumption of alcohol or harmful drugs. Most of these factors can be dealt with, if they are identified in the initial stages.


Fortunately, there are many ways to protect and improve your memory. Some of the steps that can be taken to do so are:

• Ease the pressure on your brain and do not try to remember too much. Luckily, most of us have access to things like diaries, post-it notes, calendars, maps, planners and shopping lists.
  
  
  It is best to make use of such objects and write things down to minimize the pressure on the brain, keeping it sharper and more active.

• It is very common to see people forget where they keep objects of day to day use, like keys, glasses, the remote control and so on. This problem can be avoided, by setting a designated place and taking the time to return each object to its place.

• The sense of smell, sound and touch can conjure up old and forgotten memories in an instant. Many people associate certain people and places with a particular scent or noise, which helps them remember the person, place or an event more clearly. Therefore, by involving your other senses in your day to day life, you can remember things in a better manner.

• The requirement of sleep is very important for everybody and should never be neglected. Just because you can keep yourself going, after barely 5 to 6 hours of sleep, it does not mean that you should. Make sure that you get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep.

• There are several techniques like Yoga & meditation that can help reduce stress. Recent studies have indicated that meditation not only reduces stress but can also help increase the memory to a great extent.

• Exercising improves the circulation of blood and oxygen to all the parts of the body, including the brain. Therefore, by taking the time to exercise for even half an hour each day, you can improve your memory considerably.

• A diet probably plays the most important role in a person’s life. Therefore, it is important to eat and healthy and a nutritious diet, which is very high in vitamins, and minerals, especially Vitamin B12. Foods like almonds, fish, eggs and dairy products should be an integral part of your diet. The diet should have restricted amounts of alcohol, junk food, caffeine and artificial sweeteners.
  

A poor memory could also be the result of certain health problems or diseases, such as diabetes, thyroid gland disorders or Alzheimer’s disease. The underlying condition first needs to be controlled in such instances and hence it is absolutely essential to consult a doctor, in case there are any preexisting diseases present.