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In today's fast paced world, we are constantly inundated with new information and we need to have a better memory to retain everything. Students need a better memory for learning and doing well on tests. People need a better memory to be good at their job, and we could all use better memories to recall important facts and dates. However, most people have a difficult time of recalling new ideas and facts. Memory deficiencies often take place as we age, but there are many other factors that can affect our memories, such as depression, stress, fatigue, and concentration problems. Fortunately, there are a myriad of ways to enhance your memory using easy mnemonic devices and self-hypnosis and memory enhancement.

Mnemonic devices are helpful memory retention techniques. They appear in the forms of words, pictures, or other associations that help you link information and concepts to each other. Acronyms are a common mnemonic device formed using the initial letters of words or parts of words in a phrase or name. For example, let's say you need to memorize a list of cheese, eggs, salsa, ham, and soap. You might use the acronym "CHESS" for cheese, ham, eggs, soap, and salsa. The acronym and the effort you put into generating it help you memorize the list.

Acrostic sentences are very much like acronyms. You can use acrostic sentences to memorize ordered lists or sequences of events. In an acrostic, you use the initial letters, syllables, or words of a phrase to recall a different message. One acrostic taught to students is "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally" to help them recall the order of operations in mathematics (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication, Division, Addition, Subtraction).

Another popular mnemonic technique is known as the "Method of Loci." The Method of Loci was used in ancient times to memorize speeches. In this method, you link information to visual cues along a path. First, you think of a physical path you are familiar with, such as a walk through your house or the commute to work. Envision yourself moving along this path, and identify distinct landmarks that you pass by. Each landmark will correspond to something you wish to remember. Once you have identified your path and landmarks, you mentally associate a piece of information with each landmark. Another technique is the "chunking" method of memorization. This method is useful in memorizing a series of numbers, such as dates, phone numbers, and social security numbers. For example, you probably remember your social security number as a set of three, two and four digit numbers, or three sets of three digits. Using the chunking method, you break up a large amount of information into "chunks" that are easier to manage and commit to memory. You can also group information into categories to help you recall more complicated information.

Now that you have learned these techniques, you can use them when you are attempting to recall information. To successfully form a memory, concentrate on what you are trying to commit to memory, taking a few seconds to process the information. Eliminate distractions from your environment that divert your attention from what you need to learn. Note down the information, read it aloud to yourself, and try to engage all of your senses when you are learning new information. If you can experience or associate the information with all of your senses, you will remember it better.

Stress may impair your ability to focus and memorize information, so you must remain calm! To cope with stress, you may be interested in using self-hypnosis to improve concentration, memory and recall abilities. Although memorization tricks are beneficial, stress and lack of concentration are the main reasons why people struggle with memory problems and can hinder your success using the techniques. If stress and concentration issues are the cause of your memory problems, you can use self-hypnosis to improve memory and recall abilities significantly. Your memory will be greatly enhanced by combining memorization methods with self-hypnosis and memory improvement techniques. Hypnosis memory improvement techniques can help you relax and focus on information. Hypnosis and memory techniques help enhance your short-term memory by increasing your awareness, so you will not forget things such as where you left your keys or wallet. Hypnosis and memory enhancement can also help you cope with anxieties that interfere with your ability to remember information, such as nervousness during a test or a presentation at work. Many students suffer from test anxiety, but this can be overcome by hypnotherapy. Likewise, many people "freeze" and forget information during public speeches, a problem that can also be overcome by self hypnosis memory improvement.

Hypnotherapy is the best way for you to memorize information because it calms the mind and increases the ability to concentrate. You can let self-hypnosis and your memory work together to end your memory problems. Someday, self-hypnosis and memory may become inseparable as people discover how hypnotherapy can improve their lives.

Alan B. Densky, CH has specialized in the practice of hypnosis and NLP since 1978. He offers hypnosis & NLP CD's for memory and recall improvement and test anxiety. Visit his Neuro-VISION Hypnotherapy site for free resources & MP3 downloads, and his Video Blog for tips & tricks.