As people age, one of the first things they may encounter is the loss of short-term memory. It may be more difficult to remember daily tasks, or to locate your keys. In order to make sure your memory is as sharp as it can be, read the tips in this article. To help you remember what you have to do for the day, set reminders. For instance, if you have to pay bills set an object on top them that's out of place. Seeing the out of place object will be the reminder you need to pay your bills. Most of us live in routines. Our lives are centered around having the same routine each day or each week. If we stray from that routine it can keep us from being able to remember things. Your routine is what is holding back your memory. Change how you do things each day to force your brain to develop new ways of remembering and sorting information. A great tip for improving your memory is to avoid smoking. Among other health issues that this causes smoking will actually decrease the amount of oxygen that gets to your brain, therefore decreasing your ability to store and recall information. Many studies have been proven to back this claim up. If you find yourself needing to remember the facts and information that you come across on a daily basis, it is extremely helpful to carry a small pocket notebook to store in your pocket or in your handbag. This way, you can record the information as it comes and be able to reference it at a later point, with no discrepancies. You can do the same with the calender function in your cell phone. Although memory loss is often part of the experience of aging, you don't have to impede your progress due to a bad memory. By using the tips in this article, like making notes and reminders, you can ensure that you will be able to function as well as you always have.