Stress Too, Can Cause A Loss Of Memory

It has been found that people under a great deal of stress tend to lose their memory, and that once they get over their stressful conditions, their memory shows signs of improvement once more. Even medication can induce this lapse, or it could also occur due to side effects of drugs such as barbiturates or even benzodiazepines, which requires giving up these drugs to stop further memory loss.

Another factor that plays a part in inducing memory loss is Alzheimer’s disease and in fact this disease is a major cause of memory loss, and it is characterized by much loss of memory though in different degrees, which of course depends on the stage of the disease. It has been found that in the initial stages of Alzheimer’s disease, there is frequent loss of memory and towards the end; it even becomes difficult for the patient to remember the names of their own family members.

Aging too is an important reason why persons suffer from memory loss, though according to recent studies, it was found that people as old as ninety and beyond were not greatly bothered by memory loss, and even that with age, mental processes could in fact improve. If a person is an alcoholic, it could lead to memory loss since the alcohol will destroy nerves and even otherwise, alcohol is bad for the nervous system and it will adversely affect the mental processes; besides the memory, and to not lose your memory in this way, obviously, you will need to consume little or no alcohol.

Memory loss also comes about due to many other reasons including seizures, strokes, injuries to the head, brain tumors and also infections in the brain, and to determine whether you have memory loss, it may require undergoing temporal brain surgery. No doubt, there are many causes of memory loss that are preventable, though others will occur in any case, and what causes your memory loss will ultimately determine the speed at which you suffer from this condition. To treat the condition, it may be a good idea to consume ginkgo biloba, and there are other drugs available in the market as well to help your memory.

Focusing on the following areas will prepare you to be the main attraction.

Mental and Physical Preparation

Physical and mental preparation goes hand-in-hand. When you are nervous, your mind is usually racing, causing your words to jumble as they try to keep up with your thoughts. Physically slowing down your mind by relaxing your body helps eliminate this problem. Gather your thoughts through deep breathing and stretching to calm your nervousness. Mental imagery is a tool for a speaker to minimize or eliminate any negative thoughts or fears about speaking. Visualize that you are a dynamic and confident speaker who has valuable information to give.

Proper Attire

What is the first thing your audience will notice about you? Most likely it will be what you are wearing. Pay close attention to how your dress is representing you. Check with the event organizers to be sure that you won’t under or over dress. Do not wear anything that takes away from your presentation such as big jewelry, loud colors, or excessive makeup unless it is part of your presentation.

Body Language

1. Eye communication

The best way to use eye contact is to make eye contact! Do not overlook your audience when you are nervous. Find friendly faces and connect with the audience. This builds confidence in you as the audience senses your sincerity. You can use eye contact to seek feedback from your audience. Are they attentive and interested?

Too little eye contact is interpreted as being impolite and disinterested. Too much makes someone feel uncomfortable and victimized. Try to focus on connecting with your audience and eye contact will become comfortable.

2. Gestures

Gestures should be natural and represent what you are feeling and thinking at that moment. If you are excited, and grand gestures are natural for you, go for it! Your audience appreciates sincerity verses a rehearsed robotic gesture. Although different countries and cultures define gestures differently, there are general gestures which convey a certain message to the audience.

Negative or closed gestures:

- Hands on the hips can be perceived as judgmental and authoritative.
- Hands in pockets show that you are nervous or complacent.
- Hands clasped behind you (reverse fig leaf or regal position) infer that you are hiding something, may cause distrust. This may also show nervousness.
- Hands clasped in front (fig leaf) convey tension.
- Crossed-arms may portray you as defensive and unopened.

Positive or open gestures:

- “At ease stance” (feet about shoulder width apart with toes pointed forward).
- Gestures should be appropriate and flowing, not quickly and jerky.
- Vary your gestures so that you do not bore the audience.
- Palms open show that you are non-threatening.
- Appear natural by matching your words, thoughts, and feelings to your gesture.

3. Posture and Movement

- Proximity and orientation.
- The social norm in North America is about one-and-one-half feet to four feet between two people. Standing too close to someone can cause them to feel uncomfortable and infringed on. Standing too far can cause them to feel disconnected and disinterested.
- Stances/movement – a neutral stance is usually best. Feet slightly shoulder width apart and toes forward. Movement is dependent on your situation. Pacing is distracting however, showing a visual by moving back and forth may be warranted.
- Head nodding can be perceived positively showing your audience that you are interested in them. It can also be perceived negatively if you are shaking your head in a disapproving or demeaning manner.

4. Facial expressions

Be extremely aware of your facial expressions. Do your facial expressions convey a different meaning than what you are thinking or feeling? Or, are they conveying exactly what you are thinking or feeling (i.e. tiredness, boredom)? Always remember to smile at the audience. A good time to do this is when people are first coming into your session. Greet them with a smile. This helps relax you and helps the audience warm up to you before your formal presentation. It is easier to give a presentation in front of a relaxed and inviting crowd rather than a cold and judgmental one.

Remember, you may have the most dynamic presentation slide show with the latest technology, however, all that hard work will be discarded if you do not prepare yourself and the main visual. Make your next presentation a high-impact one with a lasting impression of YOU.

Happy Presenting!

My Story

This writer used to have a photographic memory. I could remember, in minute detail, comedian’s monologues, song lyrics, family conversations and the names and years of all the winners of the Kentucky Derby. When I was a child, this photographic memory served me extremely well in school, because I could remember lessons on the test day. It was also nice to be relied on as a walking reference desk.

Ad Then I Grew Up

People around me, rather than being enchanted by my photographic memory, grew to positively hate it. I could remember things they said that they couldn’t for the life of them remember that name. It got to where no one would talk around me. And my classmates could not stand me, because I knew all of the answers. Sometimes I would purposely flub an answer just to make the rest of the class laugh.

The reason person without a photographic memory resent someone with one is that no one likes to be proven that they are wrong. If you want to hold on to a photographic memory, be very careful who you let know of your ability. Although this is not fair, this is the way the world works.

I lost my photographic memory practically the day I hit 30. Or was it 29? Maybe it was when I was 28…anyway, I lost it and haven’t been able to find where I last put it. I would miss not having a photographic memory anymore, but I can’t quite remember if I was unhappy with it.

Children are more prone to having a photographic memory than adults, for the simple reason that children don’t have as much to remember the name. If your child pops up with, “That’s not what you said! You said this,” they are not trying to make fun of you; they are actually trying to be helpful. Having a photographic memory can be hard for a child at times, since it seems they are so different. Be sure you let your child know that you appreciate their ability, but not to volunteer information unless asked.