Another question from a reader: I had a stroke 12 years ago and my memory recalling their faces and/or their names are starting to get worse and troublesome.
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Face and name recall was starting to get unpleasant for me as well. Did we both suffer denial until some years later when we finally realized recall was a problem? How could this happen to us! Haven’t we paid our dues? That is, until I started to do research.
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Choose one key feature:
- “She has a perfect ice-skating figure.”
- “He has straight black hair.”
- “She has dense glasses.”
This technique helps relate the memory to something outstanding about that person.
Associative illusions
- If you meet a “Lily,” imagine lilies of the valley next to her face.
- Use alliteration or rhymes like “Sam sells shoes.”
This technique helps to relate the picture or silly saying to the person.
Repetition
- Use the name repeatedly after hearing it.
- Employ the name multiple times in a conversation.
This technique helps by recalling the name over and over again.
Grouping
If you meet a bunch of people, group them by what they love the most:
- “These five work in crafts, so they love combining things to make a project.”
This technique helps recall them later on.
2. Technology Helps with Assistance
- Use a smartphone contacts app
- Save names with a short description (e.g., “Eric likes basketball”).
- Take photos of new acquaintances and save it with their names and put something they like to do.
3. Memory Training Exercises
Use these to bolster facial and name recall.
- Practice with family photos
- Look at aged pictures and try to recall names before asking.
- Find someone to test you with photos of familiar faces.
4. When Meeting New People
- Be upfront if needed. You say, “I sometimes have trouble recognizing faces.”
- Ask for name reminders. If unsure, inquire, “Remind me of your name again?”
- Listen for voice cues. Sometimes, voices are easier to remember than faces.
5. Conversational Tricks for When You Forget
- Use indirect questions: “How do you spell your name again?” (If it’s easy, say, “You wanted to make sure.”
- Be truthful and say, “I’m working on recalling names. Can you assist me by telling me your name again?”
6. Brain Health & Memory Boosting Tips
- Reduce stress by meditation or relaxation exercises improve recall.
- Eat brain-friendly foods (like berries, nuts, Omega 3s).
- Exercise regularly and boosts brain function.
- Improve sleep quality. Poor sleeping makes memory worse.
B. F. Skinner, an American psychologist, behaviorist, inventor, and social philosopher once said, “A failure is not always a mistake; it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”
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I hope you’ve gained something.
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