Forgetting is an inevitable part of life, especially in today’s information-rich world where we’re constantly bombarded with new data and distractions. According to Dr. Charan Ranganath, the average American is exposed to 34 gigabytes – or around 11.8 hours’ worth – of information every day.
Research shows that our brains are designed to forget rather than remember everything. Cognitive psychologist George Miller concluded in a 1956 paper that we can only keep seven items (plus or minus two) in mind at a time. However, this number is closer to three or four items according to Ranganath’s findings.
So, how can we improve our memory? Dr. Ranganath suggests five tricks:
1. **Meaning**: Attach what you want to remember to something of importance.
2. **Error**: Test yourself even if you make a mistake.
3. **Distinctiveness**: Make it pop by using unique visual cues or details.
4. **Importance**: Take advantage of the fact that our brains adapt to flag significant moments.
5. **Context**: Use your senses to recreate an event’s environment and transport yourself back in time.
By implementing these strategies, you can improve your memory without trying to stuff more information into your head. Instead, focus on remembering better by grouping items, using vivid imagery, and associating memories with emotional connections. Listen to the full episode of Dr. Sanjay Gupta’s podcast Chasing Life for more insights.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/10/health/forgetful-remembering-better-memory-wellness