Daily Habits for a Sharper Mind and Stronger Memory

36. Practicing Eye Movement Exercises to Improve Recall

Research shows that moving your eyes side to side—especially when recalling information—can enhance memory retrieval by stimulating communication between the brain’s hemispheres. It may sound odd, but brief eye movements have been linked to improved episodic memory and faster cognitive processing. Try looking left and right for 30 seconds before a memory-based task, like studying or public speaking. It’s simple, screen-free, and surprisingly effective. Combined with deep breathing, it can become part of your daily cognitive warm-up.

37. Ending the Day with Mental Closure Rituals

A wandering mind at bedtime can sabotage both memory consolidation and sleep. Instead, give your brain a clear “off-ramp” by ending the day with a mental closure ritual. This could be journaling 3 key takeaways, writing tomorrow’s top priorities, or reflecting on one thing you learned. These actions signal to your brain that it’s safe to stop processing, which improves overnight memory encoding and reduces mental clutter. Over time, this practice sharpens recall, enhances sleep quality, and helps you start each new day with a cleaner cognitive slate.