Everyone can take steps to improve their memory, and with time and practice most people can gain the ability to memorize seemingly impossible amounts of information. Scientists believe that exercising your brain can create a ‘cognitive reserve’ that will help you stay sharp as you age.
1. Convince yourself that you do have a good memory that will improve. Too many people get stuck here and convince themselves that their memory is bad, that they are just not good with names, that numbers just slip out of their minds for some reason. Erase those thoughts and vow to improve your memory. Commit yourself to the task and bask in your achievements. It’s hard to keep motivated if you beat yourself down every time you make a little bit of progress.
2. Keep your brain active. The brain is not a muscle, but regularly “exercising” the brain actually does keep it growing and spurs the development of new nerve connections that can help improve memory. By developing new mental skills, especially complex ones such as learning a new language or learning to play a new musical instrument, and challenging your brain with puzzles and games you can keep your brain active and improve its physiological functioning.
3. Exercise daily. Regular aerobic exercise improves circulation and efficiency throughout the body, including in the brain, and can help ward off the memory loss that comes with aging. Exercise also makes you more alert and relaxed, and can thereby improve your memory uptake, allowing you to take better mental “pictures.”
4. Reduce stress. Chronic stress, although it does not physically damage the brain, can make remembering much more difficult. Even temporary stresses can make it more difficult to effectively focus on concepts and observe things. Try to relax, regularly practice yoga or other stretching exercises, and see a doctor if you have severe chronic stress.
5. Eat well and eat right. There are a lot of herbal supplements on the market that claim to improve memory, but none have yet been shown to be effective in clinical tests (although small studies have shown some promising results for ginkgo biloba and phosphatidylserine). A healthy diet, however, contributes to a healthy brain, and foods containing antioxidants—broccoli, blueberries, spinach, and berries, for example—and Omega-3 fatty acids appear to promote healthy brain functioning. Feed your brain with such supplements as Thiamine, Vitamin E, Niacin and Vitamin B-6. Grazing, eating 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 large meals, also seems to improve mental functioning (including memory) by limiting dips in blood sugar, which may negatively affect the brain.
6. Take better pictures. Often we forget things not because our memory is bad, but rather because our observational skills need work. One common situation where this occurs (and which almost everyone can relate to) is meeting new people. Often we don’t really learn people’s names at first because we aren’t really concentrating on remembering them. You’ll find that if you make a conscious effort to remember such things, you’ll do much better. One way to train yourself to be more observant is to look at an unfamiliar photograph for a few seconds and then turn the photograph over and describe or write down as many details as you can about the photograph. Try closing your eyes and picturing the photo in your mind. Use a new photograph each time you try this exercise, and with regular practice you will find you’re able to remember more details with even shorter glimpses of the photos.
7. Give yourself time to form a memory. Memories are very fragile in the short-term, and distractions can make you quickly forget something as simple as a phone number. The key to avoid losing memories before you can even form them is to be able to focus on the thing to be remembered for a while without thinking about other things, so when you’re trying to remember something, avoid distractions and complicated tasks for a few minutes.
8. Create vivid, memorable images. You remember information more easily if you can visualize it. If you want to associate a child with a book, try not to visualize the child reading the book – that’s too simple and forgettable. Instead, come up with something more jarring, something that sticks, like the book chasing the child, or the child eating the book. It’s your mind – make the images as shocking and emotional as possible to keep the associations strong.
9. Repeat things you need to learn. The more times you hear, see, or think about something, the more surely you’ll remember it, right? It’s a no-brainer. When you want to remember something, be it your new coworker’s name or your best friend’s birthday, repeat it, either out loud or silently. Try writing it down; think about it.
10. Group things you need to remember. Random lists of things (a shopping list, for example) can be especially difficult to remember. To make it easier, try categorizing the individual things from the list. If you can remember that, among other things, you wanted to buy four different kinds of vegetables, you’ll find it easier to remember all four.
11. Organize your life. Keep items that you frequently need, such as keys and eyeglasses, in the same place every time. Use an electronic organizer or daily planner to keep track of appointments, due dates for bills, and other tasks. Keep phone numbers and addresses in an address book or enter them into your computer or cell phone. Improved organization can help free up your powers of concentration so that you can remember less routine things. Even if being organized doesn’t improve your memory, you’ll receive a lot of the same benefits (i.e. you won’t have to search for your keys anymore).
12. Try meditation. Research now suggests that people who regularly practice “mindfulness” meditation are able to focus better and may have better memories. Mindfulness (also known as awareness or insight meditation) is the type commonly practiced in Western countries and is easy to learn. Studies at
13. Sleep well. The amount of sleep we get affects the brain’s ability to recall recently learned information. Getting a good night’s sleep – a minimum of seven hours a night – may improve your short-term memory and long-term relational memory, according to recent studies conducted at the
14. Build your memorization arsenal. Learn pegs, memory palaces, and the Dominic System. These techniques form the foundation for mnemonic techniques, and will visibly improve your memory.
15. Venture out and learn from your mistakes. Go ahead and take a stab at memorizing the first one hundred digits of pi, or, if you’ve done that already, the first one thousand. Memorize the monarchs of
Steps To Improve Your Memory
Interview Prepare - Tips
Hello Friends. Here are some tips for facing the Interview in Good Manner -
- Dress appropriately in simple - comfortable clothes that reflect your personality.
- Avoid wearing new shoes (squeaking noises) and do practice wearing your tie.
- Be punctual - don't be late or even too early.
- Read up about the company - what business they are into, growth trends, diversification etc
- Read your own resume - be sure that you don't have to look into your resume to recall details during the interview.
- Carry extra copies of your resume and testimonials - you never know when you may need them.
- Make sure you know the full name and designation of the person interviewing you.
- Keep your references ready.
- Remember to make a note of your previous or current salary with all its components.
- Make a good first impression.
- Wish the interviewer(s) cheerfully and with a smile.
- A firm handshake is an indicator of how you are feeling. If you are a lady, then some male employers might not make the first move, but go ahead and initiate the handshake.
- Wait till you are asked to sit down.
- Look the person in the eye.
- Do not appear too nervous or overconfident - Your body language usually conveys more than what you are saying. Don't slouch or lean forward too much.
- Try to curb nervous mannerisms [eg. fidgeting or biting your finger.]
- Appear comfortable, confident and interested in securing the job.
During the interview -
- Start the interview with a pleasant smile.
- Always remember to give a firm handshake. If there are women in your interview panel, wait for the other person to extend the hand while shaking hands.
- Listen carefully to what the interviewer is saying.
- Stress on what you can contribute to the organisation.
- Remember that the employer is in control of the interview.
- Don't be too long-winded, say what you want to convey in crisp sentences and use terms that would convey your job & achievements.
- Complete your sentences - don't answer just yes or no.
- What you don't know can be learned, tell them if you don't know something. But give instances of how quick a learner you are.
- Do not boast. People on the other side are shrewd and can generally see through you. At the same time talk about achievements giving due credit to others.
- When talking about yourself and your aspirations, do not sound vague or do not say that you don't know something. You should be very clear and precise about what you want to do, where you want to go etc.
If you don't understand a question, ask for clarification, don't answer vaguely. - Don't talk about your personal problems, why you need the job etc.
- Don't get personal, even if you know the interviewer personally.
- Don't be overconfident or too nervous.
- Don't badmouth your previous employer - you could do the same in the case of the prospective customer.
- Don't complain about politics, a bad boss or a poor salary - your reasons for change should be higher responsibilities, location etc.
- If the interviewer is interrupted during the course of the interview, don't pick up papers on his/her desk and read them.
- Don't ask about salary before the offer is made.
- Strike a balance between what you actually are and what you want to be, don't paint a picture of yourself as somebody who is not concerned about money, social status etc.
- Don't be in a hurry to complete the interview.
- Ask questions at the end of the interview, it could be about the company, the job or the next stage of the interview process. It will be an indicator of your interest in the position.
- Send a thank-you letter, outlining your interest in the job and why you are qualified for it.
Be Positive and Confident - And the Job is yours. Best of Luck!
Perfect Resume
Is it the salad itself or the dressing used and the way it is presented that makes the dish more appealing? The analogy, and the answer, are apt when it comes to discussing a resume as well.
The perfect resume must excel in both content and format. Spruce your resume with these simple, effective tips and you will definitely get those interview calls.
What a resume is not -
- It is not a biography.
- It is not a statement of purpose listing your short-term and long-term goals.
- It should not just be a long list of landmarks in your professional career.
Think from a recruiter's point of view -
Your potential employer may not have enough time on his or her hands to read a 10-page masterpiece, so ensure your resume does not extend beyond a couple of pages. Leading newspapers have realised not all their readers have the time to read each and every article, which is why you see the present trend of using summary boxes for long-winded articles.
When you draft your resume, think from a recruiter's point of view. Provide information that a prospective employer needs to know and not the kind of information you want him/ her to read.
An oft-quoted line amongst book critics is that Bill Clinton's autobiography, My Life, was a 1,000-page book that had everything in it except what people really wanted to know. Keep this in mind when you are drafting your resume.
The purpose of a resume -
A resume or curriculum vitae is a window to you, your personality and your skill sets. Its raison d'etre is to convince a recruiter that you deserve to be called for an interview. It should present you in the best possible light and convince a prospective employer that you can add value to the company.
It should tantalise enough to make an employer pick up the phone and dial your number. Your resume should not simply inform; it should also excite a would-be employer.
The resume can also act as a sample of your skills. If done well, it can show how you can organise a large amount of data in a few words. It can also showcase your skills if you plan to opt for a career in designing, advertising or copywriting.
Summary -
Here are points you must definitely include:
- Experience in your profession -
Give valuable insights; for example, if you are in the advertising industry, you could mention the big players and important names you have worked with. - Skills gained in the field -
Apart from skills you are expected to gain in your field of work, do highlight skills you may have picked up as extras. For example, if you are a teacher, your expected skills would include your command over the language concerned, the ability to handle students and your knowledge about the subject concerned.
However, if you are also involved in organising workshops for teachers, you can also mention your ability to organise events and liaison effectively. - General skills -
This could include interpersonal skills, a knowledge of computers, etc. If you know computer packages apart from MS Office, such as Photoshop and Adobe page maker, and if you know how to make a Powerpoint presentation, do mention it. Many recruiters are on the look out for personnel who can multi-task. - Accomplishments in concrete terms -
Mention successful projects that you have handled/ been part of.
Focus on career progression, especially if you have been promoted in a short space of time.
If you have won any award or citation such as Best Employee Of The Month, mention it; this will present you in a positive light. - Academic record -
Give your record in reverse chronological order, mentioning your most recent qualification first.
Packaging and content -
Packaging is as important as content -- both should go hand in hand.
- Your name, address, telephone number and e-mail address should lead your resume.
- The format you use should be consistent. Do not use too many stylistic fonts and don't change the font size too often.
- The first impression is the last impression, so the first few lines must be really impressive. List about three to four major skills and two achievements in the first summary section. The qualities you focus on should be compelling, not generalised.
- Using a job objective as a starting point is a good focal point. Here is an example:
Job objective: Senior-level assignments in the area of logistics and supply chain management in the Office Automation, IT/ Telecom industry in a dynamic organisation.
- What a prospective employer really wants to know is what you can do for them. Instead of just listing your achievements, try and tailor your resume to the needs of the company concerned. It may simply mean changing a few lines here and there on a resume you have already created.
- Don't be too humble. You have to sell yourself. Nobody else is going to do it for you. Give concrete achievements. For example, if you increased sales by six percent or created a database of clients, mention it instead of making generalised statements like 'used problem-solving skills' or 'created aggressive marketing strategies' that do not speak of actual results.
- If you have progressed up the ladder in a particular company, you need to point this out. For example, if you joined as a trainee and were then promoted to a managerial level within two years, mention it instead of simply saying you are a manager.
What to avoid -
- Lousy spellings are a real put-off. Talk about your career prospects instead of your 'carrier' prospects.
- Standardise your language. Use either American English or British English, not a sprinkling of both.
- Don't exaggerate your skills. It may get you the job, but you will have difficulty retaining the post if you cannot deliver.
- Don't talk about unrealistic goals: 'I want to progress from a cub reporter to a reporter independently handling a political beat' is realistic, while 'I aim to be editor of the newspaper soon,' is highly unrealistic. Happy job hunting!
10 Resume Writing Tips
2. More Than Two Pages Is Too Much-
3. Get The Words and Punctuation Right-
4. Read Between The Lines-
5. Make Sure It Looks Good-
6. Show What You Can Do Today-
7. Be A Straight-Shooter-
8. Follow The Instructions-
9. Don't Get Lost In The Mail-
10. Keep The Cover Short and Focused-
Water for Health
Drinking Water to Maintain Good Health
From : Shereen Jegtvig
Water - The Beverage Your Body Needs Most -
Drinking water is so important for good health. When you were a kid in school, you learned that each molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. You may also have learned that it was great fun to fill up your squirt guns with water, at least until the principal caught you. What you may not have learned, however, was how much water you needed in order to be a healthy human being.
Why You Need to Drink Water -
Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.
Signs of Dehydration -
You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics such as caffeine pills and alcohol result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need.
Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles,lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B Vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.
How Much Water do You Need to Drink?
A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.
Twenty percent of your water need will come from the foods you eat. The rest of your water need should come from the beverages you drink. Water is the best choice. Sodas have a lot of sugar in them, so if you drink sodas, you may take in more calories than you need. Herbal teas that aren't diuretic are fine. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial, just look out for added sugar and calories that you don't need. Juices are good because they have vitamins and nutrients.
Caffeinated beverages will also add to your daily water need. Even though caffeine is a diuretic, if you regularly consume caffeine, your body will regulate itself to that diuretic effect.
Drink Enough Water -
It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories.
Sources:
Spigt MG, Kuijper EC, Schayck CP, Troost J, Knipschild PG, Linssen VM, Knottnerus JA. "Increasing the daily water intake for the prophylactic treatment of headache: a pilot trial." Eur J Neurol. 2005 Sep;12
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- Six [6] glasses of water (1.5 litres) everyday -
Drink six (6) glasses of water [1.5 litres] everyday and avoid medicine, tablets, injections, diagnosis, doctor fees etc. You can never believe before practicing.
How to do this Water Therapy?
- Early morning, after you get up from bed, (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50 litres of water i.e. 5 to 6 glasses. Let us all know that ancient Indians termed this therapy as “USHA PAANA CHIKITSA ". You may wash your face thereafter.
- Here it is very essential to note that nothing else, neither drinks nor solid food of any sort should be taken within 1 hr. before and after drinking these 1.5 litres of water.
- It is also to be strictly observed that no alcoholic drinks shall be taken the previous night.
- If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose. Is it possible to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time? This is a BIG QUESTION? To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually. Initially, while practicing you may drink four glasses first and then the balance two glasses after a gap of 2 minutes. Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2 - 3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after quite some time.
By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below:
- Constipation -- 1 day
- Acidity -- 2 days.
- Diabetes -- 7 days.
- Cancer -- 4 weeks
- Pulmonary TB -- 3 months
- BP & Hypertension -- 4 weeks
Here is the list of diseases that can be cured by this water therapy -
- Head Ache
- Urogenital diseases
- Blood Pressure / Hypertension
- Hyper acidity
- Anemia (Blood shortage)
- Gastro - entities
- Rheumatism (Pain in joints/muscles)
- Dysentery
- General Paralysis 10.Rectal Piodapse
- Obesity
- Constipation
- Arthritis
- Hostorthobics
- Sinusitis
- Diabetes
- Tachycardia
- Eye diseases
- Giddiness
- Ophthalmic Hemorrhage & Ophthalmic
- Cough
- (Reddish eye)
- Asthma
- Irregular Menstruation
- Bronchitis
- Leukemia
- Pulmonary Tuberculosis
- Asteros Cancer
- Meningitis
- Breast cancer
- Kidney stones
- Laryngitis
NOTE:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practice this therapy thrice a day i.e. morning, mid day and night, 1 hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner for one week and twice a day subsequently until the disease disappears.
How Does Pure Water Act?
Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body. It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises. That the mucosal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucosal fold. If the colon is cleansed then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucosal folds they are turned in to fresh blood. The blood is all-important in curing ailments and restoring health and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern.
Life is Short & Invaluable, Just go for it . . .