Did you know that it is your behavior that sometimes affects how well you are able to form new memories? The term "memories" not only refers to memories from your past known as your long-term memory, it also refers to your short-term memory. Where you put your car keys and your coffee mug before you go to work is stored in your short-term memory. Everyone can benefit from improving their memory so they can more easily remember this kind of information.

There are some easy ways to change your behavior that will improve your memory. For example, some research indicates that reading aloud can help you to remember the information that you are reading about better. For some, speaking and hearing the words helps them to retain the information. This better connects the information to their brain.

In some case studies, alcohol consumption and memory plays an interesting role. Evidence has shown that light to moderate alcohol consumption can improve your memory and cognition but nothing has been etched in stone at this point. Too much drinking handicaps the memory but, some studies have found that moderate drinkers do better on certain tests of memory than nondrinkers or heavy drinkers. This behavioral change can be done at any age because flavonoids found in grape juice and red wine have special benefits for blood vessels. This improves oxygen and nutrients getting to the brain which results in an improved memory.

Parts of the brain that are responsible for memory are slowly being eroded when stress, anxiety, and anger enter our lives for long periods of time. Depression also has an adverse affect on your ability to remember things. Depression is sometimes misdiagnosed as memory loss since one of the main causes of having a poor memory is an inability to concentrate. When a person just can't seem to focus on the task at hand, like homework and work projects, he/she feels as if memory is to blame. The inability to concentrate for long periods of time leads to being "forgetful" Plus, depression affects the types of things a person is able to remember. People who suffer from depression seem to only remember negative memories.

Another way you can change your behavior to improve your memory is through increasing the amount that you exercise. Your body and mind will benefit from this. In order for the brain to function the way it is designed to, it depends on energy received through a constant intake of oxygen and nutrients from the bloodstream. When those much needed nutrients do not arrive, the brain's ability to work is compromised. Studies have shown that the more physically active a person is, the greater his or her cognitive performance is.

These slight modifications in behavior will improve your memory but there are other solutions available that you can employ. When you start to change your behavior, you will see an improvement in your memory and you will have a better outlook on your life.