Having a memory problem? Psychologists come up with interesting ways to improve it

Memory is very interesting. The mechanisms that trigger memories or we learn things are unpredictable and sometimes cannot be explained. Forgetfulness can cause us problems, and some of us go to extravagant measures to try to overcome our tendency to forget. Research suggests that a quick nap can be very effective in stimulating memory. In one study, participants who took a 45-60 minute nap before a memory task showed a significant improvement in performance.

Many studies show that sleep plays an important role in memory. During sleep, memories are consolidated and the brain is "cleaned". Researchers have also found that sleeping right after learning something affects memory.

Moving your eyes from side to side when you want to remember something will help stimulate memory. Although the reasons are not entirely clear, researchers suggest that horizontal eye movements help activate and connect the two hemispheres of the brain.

In one study, researchers found that participants who moved their eyes from side to side for 30 seconds each morning performed their tasks an average of 10 percent better. They also found that these bilateral eye movements reduced false memories in memory tasks by 15 percent.

Clenching your fists can help you gain more control over your memory. One study found that people who clenched their fist on their dominant side before learning something and then clenched the other when recalling the memory could be more effective at memorization.

Chewing gum is a little trick that can give your memory a significant boost. In one study, researchers found that participants who chewed gum during a test of memory and attention scored almost 25 percent higher than those who did not chew gum.

Although the reason for this phenomenon is unclear, some researchers speculate that chewing gum may increase oxygen levels in the hippocampus, an area of ??the brain associated with memory and attention. Additionally, another study found that chewing gum just before a test helped participants remember 25 to 50 percent more than those who did not chew gum.

Research shows that certain types of music are very helpful for recalling memories. The information you learn while listening to a song can often be retrieved by thinking about the song or "playing" it in your head.