In today's fast paced society, we are constantly learning new things and we need to have a better memory to remember it all. Students need a better memory for studying and performing well on tests. People need a better memory to be successful in their career, and we all could use better memories to remember important new facts. However, most people have a difficult time of recalling new facts and ideas. Memory deficiencies often take place as we get older, but there are numerous other factors that affect our memories, such as fatigue, stress, depression, and concentration problems. Fortunately, there are a myriad of ways to improve your memory using easy mnemonic devices and self-hypnosis and memory enhancement.

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

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

Another famous mnemonic device is known as the "Method of Loci." The Method of Loci was used in ancient times to memorize speeches. In this technique, you link information to visual cues along a path. First, you think of a physical route you know well, such as a walk through your house or the commute to work. Envision yourself traveling along this route, and identify specific landmarks that you pass by. Each landmark will correspond to something you wish to remember. Once you have established your path and landmarks, you mentally associate a piece of information with each landmark. Another memorization technique is the "chunking" method of memorization. This method is helpful 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 three sets of three digits, or a set of three, two and four digit numbers. Using the chunking method, you break up a sizeable amount of information into "chunks" that are easier to manage and memorize. You can also put information into categories to help you remember more complicated information.

Now that you have learned these techniques, you can use them when you are trying to remember information. To successfully form a memory, concentrate on what you need to memorize, taking 5 - 8 seconds to process the information. Eliminate distractions from your environment that divert your focus of attention from what you need to commit to memory. Note down the information, read it aloud to yourself, and try to engage all of your senses when you are learning new things. If you can experience or associate the information with all of your senses, you will remember it better.

Stress may impair your ability to concentrate and memorize information, so you must relax! To cope with stress, you may be interested in using self-hypnosis to improve concentration, memory and recall abilities. Although memorization tricks are helpful, stress and lack of focus are the primary reasons why people struggle with memory problems and can restrain your success using the techniques. If anxiety and concentration problems are causing your memory troubles, you can use self-hypnosis to improve memory and recall abilities significantly. Your memory will be greatly improved by combining memorization methods with self-hypnosis and memory improvement techniques. Hypnosis memory improvement techniques will help you de-stress and concentrate on information. Hypnosis and memory techniques will enhance your memory by increasing your awareness, so you never forget things such as where you left your keys or wallet. Hypnosis and memory enhancement will also help you overcome anxieties that interfere with your memory, such as anxiousness during a test or a presentation at work. Many students suffer from test anxiety, but this can be overcome by hypnotherapy treatments. Similarly, many people "freeze" and forget what they need to say during public speeches, which is a problem that can be overcome by self-hypnosis memory improvement techniques.

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 eliminate your memory problems. Someday, self-hypnosis and memory may become inseparable as people learn how hypnotherapy can make their lives better.

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