It Really Is the Doorway!

Have you heard that walking through a doorway can cause you to forget why you went into that room in the first place? Sounds crazy, right? Though I'd rather believe that than thinking it has anything with being old enough to have a couple grandchildren.

I just read this article that does a very nice job of explaining why walking through doorways makes us forget, and it actually makes sense. That doesn't make it any less annoying though!

I have figured out how to remember - walk back through that same door! At least it worked once, and I only discovered that accidentally. I ran upstairs to get something - I can't remember what it was now, and I could not remember what I was looking for when I got upstairs. I stood in the bedroom and looked around, but nothing jumped out at me. So, I gave up and went back downstairs. As soon as I walked back through the doorway into the kitchen, I remembered exactly what I had been upstairs looking for.

I immediately turned around and ran back upstairs to get whatever I went up there for in the first place - repeating over and over again in my mind what exactly it was I was going up there for. Success! And extra exercise.

No promises that it will work the next time, but it kind of makes sense - walk through a doorway and forget; walk back through that same doorway to call back to mind the thing you've forgotten. It's worth a try anyway. Either that or carry around a notepad and write everything down.

How's your memory?

Say It Out Loud

Remember last week when I admitted that I have trouble coming up with the right word - even when I was just thinking it? (Is This a Problem? - in case you missed it)  I just remembered another example.  On Tuesdays when I wash towels, I always make a point of noting which towels we are currently using before I throw them in the wash.  That way I can be sure to rotate the towels properly, so they all get used and hopefully wear equally.  At least once, I looked at the maroon towels and said 'turquoise' - which isn't at all the same thing!  I do have turquoise towels, but they're not ones we use regularly...

On the up-side, I read an article recently that gave strategies for improving your memory, and one of the strategies is to say things out loud.  That's right - talking to myself, which I also admitted, is not a bad thing.  It's supposed to help my memory, which is exactly why I note the color of the towels and say it out loud - so I will remember.   And it does usually help, even if I might say the wrong color.  Then again, sometimes it doesn't.

I am really going to have to start applying all those strategies from the article, though, or by the time I'm ready to shop for Medicare Supplemental Insurance, I won't be able to remember where to look or even why I need it!  I like to think it's fairly normal, just annoying, like my friend Lady Banana commented on my post last week.  Still, it doesn't hurt to be more intentional about improving my memory, right?

Now if I can just remember where I put that article...

Note to Self (should I forget): a Medigap policy is an insurance policy that fills gaps in coverage that basic Medicare does not cover.  It can cover things like deductibles, co-pays, and various other expenses that can really add up.  You'll want to check into this.

Facebook for Better Memory

Facebook has been alive with complaints all day long.  It's really nothing new - facebook changes something, everybody complains for a while, and they all get used to the way things are.  Then, when everyone is comfortable, facebook changes things again.  Why, you ask?  Maybe they're trying to help all of us improve our memories.

I pulled an article out of USA Weekend from a couple weeks ago called 7 Easy Ways You Can Improve Your Memory NOW, thinking there could be some good tips in there.  If you've ever walked into a room and then forgotten what you were there for, then you know why...  Anyway, tip number 2 just may apply to facebook and why they are always changing things over there...

2) Switch things up.  If you're having trouble learning and retaining new information on your computer screen, whether it's the details of your new insurance plan or a new software system at work, try changing the font to a style that's harder to read.  Counter-intuitive, yes.  But a recent study by psychologists at Princeton and Indiana University reveals that adults who studied complicated information that was printed in unfamiliar fonts scored better on tests than those who read the text in a popular typeface.  The authors believe that the harder font forces your brain to concentrate more intently on the information.

OK, it's not exactly the same thing, but I think you see what I'm saying.  By regularly 'switching things up' facebook keeps us on our toes and helps us concentrate better.

For the other 6 tips on how you can improve your memory, check out the article at USA Weekend.  I wonder if I can apply any others to facebook?