It is believed that this method for developing memory was known long before Sherlock appeared, back in Ancient Greece. It has many names: "memory palace," "chambers of the mind," "Roman room," Cicero's method, the method of loci.
Memory needs to be constantly trained to remember better, faster, and more. Especially since many of us have become lazy due to messengers: why remember a shopping list, for example, if you can send a message and follow the list in the store? But then it’s no surprise that memory lets us down at crucial moments.
Psychiatrist Alexander Meshcheryakov talked about three exercises that can help in memory training. One of them is the "memory palace," used by the brilliant detective created by the imagination of Arthur Conan Doyle. According to the doctor, this method works incredibly effectively. It is also favored by performers when they need to memorize a large text.
"Imagine a well-known place (your apartment, the way to work). Mentally 'place' the facts you need to remember there. To recall, just walk through this 'palace'," the specialist wrote in his Telegram channel.
Proven by Science
The fact that the "memory palace" method really works was confirmed, for example, by a recent study by Dutch scientists. The researchers conducted two scientific experiments.
In one of them, they included 17 "champions" — participants in world competitions for rapid memorization, and 16 ordinary people who matched them in age and intelligence level. In the other experiment, the researchers involved 50 people who had not previously been trained in any memorization techniques. They were divided into three roughly equal groups: the first group used the "memory palace" method for one and a half months, the second trained in another memorization technique, and the third did not train their memory at all.
Then everyone was tested. First, they were asked to memorize a long list of words in order, and then recall it in the same order. Those who used the "memory palace" method showed the best results: they recalled more words 20 minutes after memorization, as well as after a day. A check four months later yielded similar results: the "memory palace" once again helped those who used it. This group reproduced an average of 50 words, while the other two groups recalled 30 and 27 words, respectively.
Two More Exercises Beneficial for Memory
1. Mindful Observation
Choose any object — it doesn’t matter if it’s a pear or a mug. Then, for 2-3 minutes, study it very carefully: its shape, color, texture, smell, and light reflections. Then close your eyes and try to visualize this object in all its details.
According to Alexander Meshcheryakov, this exercise comes from mindfulness practices, but it excellently trains concentration, memory, and reduces stress.
2. Retelling to a Friend
Read an article, a chapter of a book, or any other information. Then try to mentally retell the main idea to an imaginary person as clearly and, importantly, interestingly as possible.
As the psychiatrist explained, this technique forces the brain not just to repeat memorized words, but to restructure the information.
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