We’ve all heard the old saying ‘an elephant never forgets’- but unlike elephants, we humans certainly don’t have flawless recall. Forgetting where you left your keys or the name of the person you met last week, is all too familiar. Memory lapses happen to the best of us, but there are ways to sharpen your memory and boost brainpower.

How are memories formed?

Memory works through three key stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Encoding is when the brain processes information from your senses and turns it into a format that can be stored. Next, short-term memories are stored briefly, while long-term memories are kept in the brain called the hippocampus. Finally, retrieval is recalling stored memories, triggered by cues such as sights, sounds, or emotions. While memory helps us navigate life, it can sometimes be imperfect, influenced by a range of factors. Forget Forgetting

The good news is there are things you can do to help your brain stay sharp.