Destination : Building up better memory and concentration

My dear ones
Hi!
Exams are approaching and many might be feeling stressed. Today I am discussing here certain techniques which help boost memory. Try to follow them and you will find studies take comparatively lesser time, remains in the memory longer and maybe you will enjoy it too.
Food
Salmons and sardines are rich in omega fats and does wonders for memory. Include them in your diet twice a week. Have food rich in Vitamin B especially B 12, like fresh leafy vegetables. Almonds in the morning are good for boosting memory.
Sleep:
The day before your exam it is important to have your full quota of sleep. Sleep promotes the production of chemicals like melatonin in the body which is important for overall health and also memory. Each one of us has different sleep requirements.
Exercise:
Exercise increases blood circulation to each part of the body including the brain .Have plenty of fresh air too when you are exercising (if that is not possible you can still do the exercise)
Mental Exercise:
Here I will suggest some exercise which helps develop the habit of concentration.
1) Count breaths. You may decide how many numbers and do it say up to 108 times. Then count back the numbers with the breath. Do this for a week
2) Count skipping a number at a time. Say you count only the even numbers or odd numbers with each breath and then count backwards. This can be done in the second week. Any mistake you make you may start count right from beginning.
3) You can also try the breathing exercise which works wonders for concentration and memory.It is also very beneficial for those who have the problems facing the exams and tendency to forget things in the exam hall.It is called Anuloma Viloma pranayam
ANULOMA AILOMA PRANAYAMA:
1) To practice this breathing exercise sit up in a comfortable position. Sit cross legged or on a chair.
Elongate your spine upwards, lengthen your neck and subtly bring your chin back and in like a soldier at attention. This will align the spine with the back of your head.
Fold your index finger and middle finger into the palm of your right hand so just the thumb, ring finger and little finger are extended. Hold your knee with your left hand.
Close your eyes.
Bring your attention to your breathing and take 5 deep, slow breaths though the nose. This will oxygenate your blood and relax you. For the rest of the exercise the attention should remain on your breath.
Now with your right thumb gently close the right nostril and breathe in slowly and completely through the left nostril only counting mentally from 1 to 4.
Now gently close the left nostril with your right ring finger and pinkie and releasing the right nostril breathe out through it only, counting mentally from 1 to 4.
Now breathe in through the RIGHT nostril only, keeping the left closed, counting mentally from 1 to 4.
Finally, re-close the right nostril and breathe out through the left only, counting mentally from 1 to 4. This completes 1 cycle of Anuloma Viloma Pranayama.
Repeat 5 times in the beginning and increase the counts later.
Here is a link to the video on how it is done
http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog/2007/05/07/chakra-balancing-breathing-exercise-breath-control-yoga-pranayama-book/

The video may take time to load .



OTHER TIPS
1) Chunking :
This involves braking the sudy material you have into parts and then study each part.
2) Rehearse information frequently and “over-learn”. Review what you’ve learned the same day you learn it, and at intervals thereafter. What researchers call “spaced rehearsal” is more effective than “cramming.” If you’re able to “over-learn” information so that recalling it becomes second nature, so much the better
3) Play memory games:
To tone up your brain you can play memory games, Jigsaw puzzles helps a lot and is fun too.
Be regular with your studies and don’t let work pile up. If you keep things the day just before the exams you will be stressed and find it difficult.

‘All the best’ for your first term examinations. Happy learning!