Use These 2 Techniques to Improve Memory

By Hemanta Sundaray

PostedJune 12, 2025

Memory failures are a universal experience. Whether it's forgetting where you placed your keys, blanking on someone's name, or missing an important appointment, we all struggle with remembering things from time to time. This is completely normal—our memories aren't perfect recording devices.

However, when memory difficulties significantly impact daily life, the consequences can be profound. Many people with medical conditions affecting memory—from neurological disorders to depression—face genuine challenges that interfere with their ability to work, manage finances, and participate fully in society.

The good news is that memory isn't fixed. Recent research has revealed that we can actually improve our memory functioning through specific techniques. By understanding how memory works and applying proven strategies, anyone can enhance their ability to learn and recall information.

Understanding memory: The encoding foundation

Memory operates through three distinct stages: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. The majority of memory failures actually occur during the first stage—encoding—which refers to the process of learning new information.

We encode information constantly throughout our lives. From remembering grocery lists and work tasks to learning new names and procedures, our memory systems are in constant use. The key to improving memory lies in enhancing how we encode this information in the first place.

2 techniques to improve memory

Two powerful techniques have proven particularly effective at enhancing memory encoding: imagery and context. These methods work by enriching how information is processed and stored in the brain, making it significantly easier to recall later.

1. Imagery: Harnessing Visual Memory Power

Imagery involves attaching mental pictures to verbal information. This technique works by forcing your brain to encode information in multiple ways simultaneously. Your verbal memory networks process the words while your visual-spatial memory system handles the images.

How imagery works

When you need to remember the word "house," simply picturing your own house creates dual encoding. The word is processed by verbal memory networks, while the mental image activates visual-spatial memory regions located in different areas of your brain. This increased brain activity strengthens the memory trace.

Creating composite images

The real power of imagery emerges when you combine multiple unrelated pieces of information into a single mental picture. Instead of remembering five separate items, you create one comprehensive image that contains all the information.

Example: Morning rush memory challenge

Imagine you're rushing out the door and need to remember:

• Call your mother
• Buy butter and apples
• Pick up coffee for a 9 AM meeting
• Your new network password is "blossom"

Create a single mental image: Picture your mother (use your actual mother's face for maximum impact) sitting at a table with an apple beside her and a cup of coffee nearby. Add cherry blossoms in the background to represent your password. Each element should be vivid and personally meaningful. If you always drink coffee on-the-go, visualize a travel cup rather than a mug.

Making images personal and memorable

The most effective imagery is highly personalized. A history enthusiast might picture their mother churning butter in an old-fashioned butter churn, while someone else might simply see her spreading butter on toast. The key is using images that resonate with your own experiences and are easy for you to visualize.

Make your images as vivid and unusual as possible. Exaggerated, colorful, or slightly absurd elements make memories more distinctive and easier to recall.

2. Context: Building rich memory networks

Context involves enriching information by providing additional semantic meaning. Instead of trying to remember isolated facts, you embed them within a framework of related details and connections.

Creating contextual frameworks

Rather than simply trying to remember "house," you might think: "The old house on the hill was charming." Now you have multiple retrieval pathways. The house is old, it's charming, and it's situated on a hill. Each additional detail provides another way to access the memory.

Contextual storytelling

Context becomes particularly powerful when applied to unrelated information. Take three random grocery items: string beans, hot sauce, and a mop. Instead of memorizing three separate items, create a mini-story:

A man walks into a restaurant and orders string beans with hot sauce. The combination makes him ill, and the busboy has to clean up the mess with a mop.

The story is memorable precisely because it's unusual. This scenario is unlikely in real life, but that distinctiveness makes it stick in your memory.

Combining context with imagery

The most powerful memory enhancement occurs when you combine contextual storytelling with vivid imagery. Using the restaurant story, you might visualize:

• A static scene: A young man sitting at a restaurant table with string beans and hot sauce in front of him, while a busboy stands nearby holding a mop

• A dynamic sequence: Watching the man enter the restaurant, order his meal, become ill, and see the cleanup process unfold like a short movie

Choose the approach that feels most natural to your thinking style. Some people prefer static images, while others think in sequences or "movie reels."

The Science Behind the Techniques

Research has demonstrated that these memory techniques create measurable changes in brain function. Brain imaging studies show significantly more neural activity when people use imagery and context compared to standard learning approaches. This increased activation occurs across multiple brain regions, creating stronger and more durable memories.

People who learn these techniques show substantial improvements not just on formal memory tests, but in real-world situations. They report better ability to manage daily tasks, participate in work and social activities, and maintain independence in their lives.

Implementing Memory Techniques in Daily Life

These techniques require practice to become effective. Start with simple applications:

• Begin with single items: Practice creating vivid mental images for individual pieces of information

• Gradually increase complexity: Work up to combining 2-3 items, then more complex combinations

• Practice with a partner: Share your mental images and stories with someone who can provide feedback

• Apply to real situations: Use these techniques for actual daily memory challenges like shopping lists or work tasks

The key is consistent practice. Like any skill, memory improvement requires regular application and refinement. Start small, be patient with yourself, and gradually increase the complexity of what you're trying to remember.

Beyond the Basics

While imagery and context are powerful techniques, they're most effective when combined with other memory-supporting practices. Getting adequate sleep, managing stress, and staying physically active all contribute to optimal memory function. Regular mental exercise through learning new skills or languages can also enhance your overall memory capacity.

Remember that memory is not a fixed trait. It's a skill that can be developed and improved throughout your life. With consistent practice of these evidence-based techniques, you can significantly enhance your ability to learn and remember information, leading to improvements in both personal and professional aspects of your life.

The most important takeaway is that memory improvement is possible for everyone. Whether you're struggling with occasional forgetfulness or dealing with more significant memory challenges, these techniques offer practical tools for enhancing your cognitive abilities. Start practicing today, and you'll likely notice improvements in your memory performance within just a few weeks.