People say that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and they hit the nail right on the head with that catchy little slogan, because, to put it bluntly, once the mind is gone, so too is the person. Check out these great memory tips to improve one of your most precious gifts, your mind. A great way to improve your memory is to focus your attention upon the material that you are attempting to study and memorize. Since attention is a major component of memory, it must be employed to move information from short-term memory into long-term memory. To make sure you give your undivided attention to your study material, remove distractions such as music or television from your study environment. Memory games are a fun way to sharpen up your mind skills. These games are engaging and entertaining and have the added benefit of improving your long-term memory. Memory games have the added benefit of helping to steady your concentration, and lengthen your attention span. Do an online search for memory games that can be played for free online. Participate in regular exercise. Exercise increases oxygen to the brain and can be helpful to your memory. It also gets blood flowing to your brain more. It can also help prevent diseases that can lead to memory loss in the future. An active body leads to an active mind. It is important that you stop drinking sugary drinks, like soda, when you are trying to improve your memory. Believe it or not, sugary drinks increase your blood glucose level, which in turn, deteriorates your brain function and memory. Instead, try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Sleep well for at least 7-8 hours a day. A sleep deprived body has diminished functions including problems with brain activities and memory. Studies show that inadequate sleep can cause difficulties in problem solving, critical thinking and studying. Sleeping is an unavoidable part of the learning process as it is necessary for memory consolidation. To better commit names to memory, repeat a person's name after an introduction, and try to come up with something about the person that might help you remember his or her name. If you meet a Bob who mentions that he enjoys fishing, you might associate his name with a bobber like those used on a fishing line, for instance. Remember that you are a lifelong learner, even after you are officially done with school. By not gaining new knowledge, you are not using the part of the brain that helps with memory. So, if omeka comes that you are required to remember new things, you may find that it is much harder to do so. Pay attention to your surroundings and live in the moment. The more attention you pay to what's going on around you, the more likely you are to remember it later. You won't be able to remember things that you never experienced. Try not to dwell on the past or future while creating new memories. To improve your memory, make sure you are getting enough exercise, but especially of the aerobic variety. Recent research indicates that concentrated aerobic exercise activities actually encourage new cell growth in the brain's memory center. Try to do aerobic exercises such as biking and running in order to get the maximum benefit. Use a mnemonic device to help yourself remember things. Create a picture in your head in relation to what you anticipate needing to remember. You can work it into an unusual sentence or make it into a fun acronym. Mnemonic devices are much easier for the brain to remember than straight facts. If you have a bad memory, and you happen to remember something you need to do in the near future, do it now instead. You lessen the risk of forgetting to do it when it is required. For instance, let's say you have a DVD due back to the movie rental store tomorrow. Bring it back today so you do not forget. Make no mistake about it -- your ability to remember is a tremendous gift. Most people will never realize just how vital their memory is until they begin to lose it. You should never have to allow your memory to lapse. Pay attention to the tips in the article and you can work on repairing and improving your memory.