How to Stop Forgetting Important Things by Understanding Different Types of Memory

It's easy to forget important events like a work deadline or an anniversary, but understanding how memory works can help.

Cognitive psychologist Endel Tulving introduced the idea of episodic and semantic memory in the 1970s. Based on this, Charan Ranganath, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, provides practical tips in his book Why We Remember to improve memory by leveraging these two types. 

Many think memory functions like a computer hard drive, where you can store and retrieve information as needed. However, our brain prioritizes certain experiences over others, leading us to forget. If you're stressed about work, for instance, your brain might deprioritize remembering an anniversary. Memory isn't one ability but a set of skills working together.

Episodic Memory: Reliving Moments

Episodic memory, stored in the hippocampus, captures specific events and is closely linked to emotions and sensory experiences. It's like reliving a moment—where and when something happened. This type of memory can be triggered by recreating similar conditions. For example, a familiar song or smell can bring back vivid memories because it's tied to your senses and emotions.

Semantic Memory: Knowledge and Patterns

Semantic memory, located in the prefrontal cortex, deals with general knowledge and learned experiences. It's not tied to specific moments but helps us recognize patterns. For example, if you've misplaced your keys several times, semantic memory helps identify where you typically leave them. It's about applying learned knowledge rather than reliving events.

How to Improve Memory

Here are some simple strategies to enhance memory:

• Prioritize Sleep: A lack of sleep hampers memory retention. Even a short nap can improve your ability to remember information
• Use Mnemonics: Rhymes and acronyms are effective memory aids. Simple phrases, like those used to remember the colors of the rainbow, can still work for adults.
• Engage Your Senses: Episodic memory is enhanced by sensory experiences. Play familiar music, bake a favorite dish, or light a scented candle to trigger memories. New and unusual sensory experiences, like dining at a different restaurant, can also make moments more memorable.
• Reinforce Semantic Memory: Recall important events repeatedly to strengthen memory. Each time you recall an event, though, it may change slightly.
• Discuss Your Memories: Sharing memories with others helps form coherent stories that are easier to recall, even if details shift slightly over time.

Memory is not static; it's influenced by experiences, knowledge, and attention. By applying these strategies, you can improve your ability to remember the things that matter most to you.