Improve Your Memory

Seattle area magician and mentalist, Nate Jester performs a routine where he memorizes 52 audience member names along with the playing card they selected earlier in the show. This is one of the most talked about illusions in the act and keeps people wondering, “how does he do it”? The secret is not as hard as you may think! It just takes some practice.

So how can you improve your memory?

There are many ways to improve your memory. Just like your muscles, it’s important to keep your brain fit so it can perform at its best. Here are a few simple steps you can take to improve your memory.

Water: your brain is a sponge so make sure it’s hydrated. The health authorities commonly recommend drinking eight — 8oz glasses per day.

Exercise: keep an active lifestyle and curb depression. Experts suggest adults get a weekly minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity or one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity.

Diet: eat smart for a healthy brain. Foods like blueberries, salmon, nuts and avocados are great options.

Alcohol: cut down on the amount of alcohol you drink

Coffee: drink coffee. The active ingredient in coffee is caffeine, which is a stimulant and the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world.

It is also helpful to use effective techniques, such as mnemonics and number clumping when attempting to remember things. An example of a mnemonic (a tool that helps you remember an idea or phrase) is: PEMDAS – Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally which is common for remembering the order of operation in pre-algebra: parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, adding and subtraction.

Click the below video and watch my memory stunt in action!

There’s More…

Having an amazing memory is something we all strive for. It can help us with everyday tasks be it personal or business.

Last week Nate was tagged in a social media post where a young gal named Katherine on the NBC TV show, Little Big Shots memorizes an entire deck of cards in just 14 seconds. Click the below video to watch!

Want to know how it’s done?

There are many techniques to memorizing an entire deck of playing cards. Using mnemonics and memory systems are often the method. One of the most common methods is called a Memory Palace. Watch memory champion Joshua Foer demonstrate how a memory palace works.

Want to learn how to memorize names, cards, or phone numbers? Check out these books that I’ve read to improve my working memory.

Moonwalking with Einstein | Book Cover

Moonwalking With Einstein by Joshua Foer

Remember Every Name Every Time | Book Cover

Remember Every Name Every Time by Benjamin Levy