Got a case of CRS? (Can't remember stuff)
As we age and in our modern era our days, jobs and lives become increasingly hectic and crowded with information. Unfortunately, this is becoming largely true for our kids as well.
At times, it may seem difficult to remember tasks, numbers or other important details. Or, perhaps you just want to increase your capacity to retain information.
Frankly, I think we are, as a society, getting worse at retaining information. For the most part, this is a good thing. We have volumes of information that is literally accessible at our finger tips. With a few swipes or keystrokes, we can just "google it" and in most cases find out what we need to know.
However, I believe the brain to be like a muscle. We need to exercise it, we need to use it or lose it. Keeping the brain and body healthy will be especially important later in life. Just like the best savings plan is the one you started 20 years ago, the best health and fitness regimen is the one you started (and stuck with) 20 years ago.
The second best?
The one you start today.
When it comes to improving memory that are several widely accepted methods to do so. I'll explain how you can use martial arts training to successfully execute these methods and have the carry over benefit your whole life.
In martial arts training, we have a saying: Practice makes permanent. Yeah, I know, the saying we all heard as a kid was "Practice makes perfect". As martial artists, we disagree. Martial arts training can be about a lot of things, competing, winning, learning how to fight, losing weight, self-defense, building confidence, etc. However, you will actually be able to attain many of these goals relatively quickly.
If so, then why keep training? Many of us who continue training past that initial phase of achievement have learnt to enjoy the journey. What is that journey? It is the process and pursuit of perfection. Well, we also know/accept that perfection is impossible. So, let's call it mastery instead. In the long run, studying martial arts is about developing mastery, enjoying deliberate practice in order to develop the highest level of excellence in the skills we have endeavored to learn.
What does this have to do with memory? Attitude. In the long run we practice martial arts for the sake of practice, because we enjoy the journey of getting better, long after the aforementioned benefits have been attained. Similarly, with memory and brain function, we may see improvements in the short run but the will be less noticeable over time. Returns will always diminish over time. That is OK. And, we should keep the attitude to keep practicing (be it our martial arts or our memory).
Ok, now to some more tangible stuff.
The first method of improving memory and retention is paying attention. It sounds simple, right, just pay more attention and you'll remember more stuff. Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Paying attention and focusing can be quite difficult at times. You may have a lot on your mind. Have you ever had a conversation with someone, then totally drew a blank on what you were talking about because the whole time you were thinking about something else? Sometimes, there are just a lot of distractions, TVs, computers, phones, kids etc. It's hard to focus. This is where martial arts training is great. A big part of training is developing the ability to focus and focus for long periods of time. And, I don't just mean meditation. Yes, it is a great and important part of martial arts, but I'm also talking about the physical part of learning.
When you first start learning martial arts many of the movements and techniques will seem quite foreign. That's a good thing. The new motions are making your brain work and will HAVE TO focus just to accomplish the task at hand. As you progress, so will the complexity as well as the demands of training. You'll have to hit targets, formulate combinations, not get hit, break boards, combat one or more opponents, etc. All of these things clearly take a lot of focus. An hour long martial arts class can be quite fatiguing at times. You'll have to stay focused just to get through it.
Here's the great thing. The focus you are developing just to learn martial arts and get through the rigors of training does not occur in a vacuum. That ability and level of focus will carry over into all areas of your life.
#2 - Visualization and Association
The brain is primarily (but not completely) a visual entity. When we read a book, think of an experience, or try to recall a list, we make a picture. The ability to picture things, without seeing them, or hear things, feel things, smell things without them actually being there will improve your memory.
In the martial arts, we have something called forms practice. Depending on the style, different terms may be used, like Poomsae, Hyung, Kata, Tul, etc... By practicing forms, students are able to memorize hundreds, eventually thousands of movements and applications. Yes, through a lot of repetition but through visualization as well.
#3 - The Name Game
There is a "trick" to remembering someone's name when you meet them. Say it back to them when you meet them. Something like "It's great to meet you_____". Auditorily repeating things helps you remember them. We do this in martial arts all the time. Before practicing a technique or combination we will recite the name of movement aloud. Often, this is done in unison with the class. It's great for camaraderie and the energy of training, but it is also essential for memory. There are so many techniques and combinations in the martial arts, it is essential that we can memorize them so that we can practice them and they become second nature.
The non-verbal way of doing this is writing things down. When you train in the martial arts you should keep a journal. Record your training experiences and the techniques you learn. As a student, both in martial arts and academically, I always took copious notes, but rarely ever went back to review them. I firmly believe, that the act of writing it down in itself improves the memory.
Say it or write it down, remember it.
#4 - Chunk it down
I've been hinting at the volumes of material resides within a martial arts curriculum. Martial arts can truly be a lifetime of study. But, that's just it, we spread it out over a lifetime. Trying to remember everything, all at once, can be difficult, maybe even impossible. Learn to separate things, break them down into "chunks". They will be easier to remember.
#5 - Physical Exercise and staying fit.
Let's not forget this one. Martial Arts training is physically demanding and will get (and keep) you in great shape. The brain, like all other organs, needs blood and oxygen to survive and thrive. Simply put, staying healthy and maintaining an active lifestyle will help to maintain your arterial health and clear arteries are necessary for optimal heart, lung and brain function.
Visit our main website to try out martial arts:
http://www.dragongym.com/adult-martial-arts/signup.php
