While out for a walk, I experienced excitement and a sense of accomplishment, having unlocked a challenging problem for the book I’m writing. Unfortunately, I cannot recall the specific idea, despite my knowledge of various memory-boosting techniques such as interleaving subjects, leveraging memory consolidation and reconsolidation, exercising before learning and prioritizing adequate sleep.
In situations where carrying items is impractical, and one deliberately disconnects, remembering crucial information becomes challenging. In such instances, science proposes three straightforward actions:
- According to a study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, articulating words aloud or silently mouthing them enhances memorability. Neuroscientists suggest that verbalizing separates thoughts from mere thinking, allowing the cerebral cortex to retain information for a longer duration.
- Subsequently testing oneself by asking, “What is it I want to remember?” and providing an answer has proven effective, as revealed by a study in Psychology of Learning and Motivation. This low-stakes testing reinforces the memory through repetition.
- The practice of “offline waking rest” or zoning out, as detailed in a study in Nature Reviews Psychology, contributes to memory improvement. This form of daydreaming and disengagement allows for the efficient consolidation of memory by reactivating recently formed memory traces.
Researchers highlight the importance of unoccupied rest, emphasizing its role in human waking cognitive functions. They argue that moments of offline waking rest should be acknowledged as a crucial contributor to cognitive processes rather than being perceived as a waste of time.
Therefore, the recommended intentional approach involves verbalizing remembered information, self-testing, and engaging in a brief period of offline waking rest. Contrary to common perception, these moments of unoccupied rest are deemed critical contributors to cognitive functions during wakefulness.
