Context is everything!
The procedure is actually quite simple. First you arrange things into different groups. Of course, one pile may be sufficient depending on how much there is to do. If you have to go somewhere else due to lack of facilities that is the next step, otherwise you are pretty well set. It is important not to overdo things. That is,it is better to do too few things at once than too many. In the short run this may not seem important, but complications can easily arise. A mistake can be expensive as well. At first the whole procedure will seem complicated. Soon, however, it will become just another facet of life. It is difficult to foresee any end to the necessity for this task in the immediate future, but then one never can tell. After the procedure is completed, one arranges the materials into different groups again. Then they can be put into their appropriate places. Eventually they will be used once more and the whole cycle will then have to be repeated. However, that is part of life. (Sternberg & Sternberg, 2012)
I am sure this paragraph got you thinking. What is this all about? It is about washing clothes, now that you have the verbal label it helps you to encode and to remember a passage which seemed incomprehensible. Something we greatly take for granted.
Memory is a remarkable cognitive function that involves the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. It begins with encoding, the process by which sensory information is transformed into a form that the brain can process and store. This encoding often occurs through various means, such as paying attention to the information, organizing it, or associating it with existing knowledge, which enhances the likelihood of retention.
Once information is encoded, it moves into the storage phase. Memory storage involves maintaining encoded information over time. This process occurs in different stages: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. Sensory memory briefly holds sensory information from the environment, while short-term memory, with limited capacity, temporarily stores information we are currently aware of or thinking about. However, for information to be retained for more extended periods, it needs to be transferred to long-term memory, where it can be stored semi permanently. Long-term memory has seemingly unlimited capacity and can hold vast amounts of information over extended periods, potentially for a lifetime.
Retrieval is the final stage of the memory process. It involves accessing stored information when needed. Successful retrieval depends on various factors, including the strength of the initial encoding, the effectiveness of storage, and the cues available during retrieval. Sometimes, memories may be temporarily inaccessible due to factors like interference or lack of retrieval cues.
The memory process is dynamic and influenced by various factors, including attention, motivation, emotions, and prior experiences. It’s not a perfect system, as memory can be fallible and subject to distortions, forgetting, or errors. However, understanding the memory process provides insights into how information is acquired, retained, and used, contributing significantly to our daily lives and shaping our experiences and knowledge.
Our mental health significantly influences the functioning of our memory. Psychological well-being, stress levels, and emotional states play pivotal roles in memory formation, retention, and retrieval. High levels of stress, anxiety, or depression can impact memory adversely. Stress hormones like cortisol, when chronically elevated, can interfere with the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for memory consolidation. This interference can disrupt the encoding of new information, making it harder to remember. Additionally, emotional states can serve as powerful memory cues, with heightened emotional experiences often leading to more vivid and enduring memories. Positive mental health practices, including mindfulness, adequate sleep, and stress management, can positively impact memory function by creating a conducive environment for effective encoding, storage, and retrieval of information. Thus, our mental health serves as a crucial determinant in shaping the quality and reliability of our memories.
Sternberg, R. J., & Sternberg, K. (2012). Cognition (6th ed.). Cengage Learning, Wadsworth.
Contact me today so that we can prioritise your mental health and preserve your memory, creating new neural pathways and giving your brain, the reboot, it needs every now and again. Let’s together create an environment where you can connect with yourself again, an environment that fosters and encourages authenticity. An environment where you can follow your gut and get to know what it looks like.
After doing an intake I might be able to help you with a few sessions using BWRT (Brainworking Recursive Therapy) read more about BWRT on another blog on my website: https://thewellsamaria.co.za/what-is-brainworking-recursive-therapy-or-bwrt/, or we will use another technique depending on your unique needs.
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