If you are a student who has trouble remembering things, these seven practical tips to improve your memory and concentration are in your wheelhouse!

1. Give your brain a workout. Memory, like muscular strength, requires you to “use it or lose it.” The more you work out your brain, the better you’ll be able to process and remember information. It is very important to give your mind the stimulation it needs to keep growing and developing. For example, playing a musical instrument, playing chess, or learning a new language can make a positive impact.

2. Don't skip the physical exercise. While mental exercise is important for brain health, physical activity helps it to stay sharp. It increases oxygen to your brain and reduces the risk of memory loss. Does it take you long time to clear out the sleep-fog when you wake up? If so, exercising in the morning before you start your day makes a big difference. In addition to clear out the cobwebs, it also primes you for learning throughout the day.

3. Get your Zs. There is a big difference between the amount of sleep you can get by on and the amount you need to function at your best. Researches show that over 95% of adults need between 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep every night, in order to avoid sleep deprivation. Even skimping on a few hours makes a difference!

4. Make time for friends. Countless studies show that a life full of friends and fun comes with cognitive benefits. Research shows that interacting with others may be the best kind of brain exercise, since relationships stimulate it. In one recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health, for example, researchers found that people with the most active social lives had the slowest rate of memory decline.

5. Keep stress in check. Over time, chronic stress damages the hippocampus, the brain’s region involved in the formation of new memories and the retrieval of old ones. Studies have also linked stress to memory loss. So try to avoid daily stress, setting realistic expectations (and be willing to say no!), taking breaks throughout the day, and focusing on one task at a time.

6. Eat a brain-boosting diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, “healthy” fats (such as olive oil, nuts, fish) and lean protein will provide lots of health benefits, and improve memory.

7. Have a laugh. Laughter is a powerful medicine, that holds true for the brain and the memory, as well as the body. As psychologist Daniel Goleman notes in his book Emotional Intelligence, “laughter seems to help people thinking more broadly and associating more freely.”

Discover more ways to improve your memory in the video below:

Cover photo credit: Hyptalk.com