Being born with an exceptional memory is nice, but that isn't the case for the vast majority of people in the world. Having episodes of forgetfulness throughout the day is typical for most of us, and we know that this tends to worsen with age. Improving one's memory, though, is something within the reach of everyone. Improving the storage and recall of facts is a skill, and like others skills, it can be enhanced and honed. All it takes is time, dedication, a few simple techniques, and the desire to improve. Here are several simple and smart ways for you to increase your memory power. Exercise regularly: Getting plenty of physical exercise is great for the body, as we all know. What people don't realize is that regular physical activity is also fantastic for promoting proper brain function. In fact, studies have shown that exercising on a daily basis significantly improves memory and concentration. Get good nutrition: Garbage in, garbage out is a saying in computer programming that also can apply to nutrition and health. If you subsist on fast food and junk, you can hardly expect your body and mind to function at peak efficiency. Make it a point to eat right and get the nutrients that your brain needs, including omega-3 fatty acids and B-complex vitamins. Don't forget mental exercise: We already talked about physical exercise. The next idea is to make sure that your brain is getting a good workout as well. You can stimulate your brain in a wide variety of ways. Some examples include learning a new language, playing games with friends, or taking on a new hobby. Giving your brain new and challenging tasks will keep your brain sharp and generating fresh neural connections. Clear your mind: We are constantly bombarded with thoughts and stimuli throughout the day. It is the intrusion of these thoughts that can get in the way of effective study and concentration. Taking some time to learn to clear your mind of these thoughts can be a valuable investment. Learn the skills of yoga and meditation and you will find that your mental prowess increases dramatically as you are better able to quiet your mind. Learn how to study: There's no reason to reinvent the wheel every time you sit down at your desk to learn new information. There are literally thousands of techniques and tricks which you can employ to better absorb and retain information. In fact, the problem may be that there are too many choices out there. Pick a technique, such as the use of mnemonics, and practice that for a given period of time. Use it enough to master the skill and have it become a reliable tool in your arsenal. Once you do that, pick another technique, such as mind-mapping, and put that to use. Try not to get lured by every new technique that you hear about. Find a few, master them and stick with what works. Don't make studying be about the process, but instead, make it about the results. Improving your concentration and memory doesn't have to be complicated. With these simple and effective methods, you'll soon find your brainpower soaring to new heights.