Working Memory and Coaching Penrith
Working memory refers to the information that we hold in our conscious mind while performing a task. This can be anything from a web address as we type, the numbers as we add up our tax return, or the ideas, facts, and actions of a character as we read a novel. Without working memory we cannot really use any of our brain functions to any great extent. We need to put information in the working memory if we are to understand, learn or even memorise it. And if we are to use information already learnt in the past, put together facts and ideas to form conclusions or explanations, we use our working memory.
Our education and performance on tests will suffer if our working memory is poor. This might appear as inability to concentrate, or as absent-minded mistakes not noticed till later on, or just a frustrating inability to learn anything new. It might also appear as an inability to structure an essay or explanation, even if we already do understand the subject. So it makes sense to try an improve or at least maintain our working memory.
Coaching Penrith – Improve Working Memory
The are two broad approaches to improving/maintaining working memory. One is about keeping the right mindset for the moment, the other is about exercises and habits to develop working memory.
The Right mindset
If we are stressed our working memory suffers. Everybody has noticed this from time to time. Lack of sleep can be just as bad. If we are giving up an addiction we might suffer stress, lack of sleep and several other phenomena that impact our memory.
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- High Humidity and Temperature
- Drug use or withdrawal from an addiction.
- Exhaustion
- Distractions
- Mental illness or some physical illnesses
Exercises for Working Memory
We can increase our working memory with some exercises and good habits. This takes time, but the benefits should be long term.
- Visualization of images or geometric objects. Look at the mental picture from different angles. Imagine a solid pyramid, and slowly rotate in your mind. Imagine three circles each rotating in a different axis.
- Short term memory games where you need to memorise a pattern or sequence. The electronic game ‘Simon’ (a sequence of lights), or many different card games like ‘uno’, ‘Go fish’ …etc.
- Active reading – ask questions, remember quotes, examine plots and motives.
- Learn to connect information, rather than memorise isolated facts and figures.
- Chunk information into groups. We can usually remember 8 items. This can be 8 numbers, or 8 groups of numbers if the groups have patterns or meanings.
- Use as many senses as possible. Reading aloud and listening, watching subtitles while listening to a film, will improve reading and comprehension over listening alone.
And maintain a good diet. Poor nutrition, poor sleep, will cause cognitive issues.
Coaching Penrith
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