February 2009  G-U-L-P to a better memory e all have our own ways of trying to remember what we want and need to remember. And our relative success has a lot to do with choosing a recall strategy that fits our own learning style. Here’s one suggested by Janet Sherman, Ph.D., clinical director of the Psychology Assessment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. And she’s devised an easy acronym, G-U-L-P, to help you remember it. “G” is for GET IT. Pay attention. Focus on the new information. Take it in with multiple senses. “U” is for USE IT. Repeat the information. Say it, draw it, write it, sing it—whatever works for you. But use it quickly and as often as possible. “L” is for LINK IT. Associate the new information with something you already know. Alphabetize it. Categorize it. Put it into some context. “P” is for PICTURE IT. Create a visual image and then exaggerate it. The more actively you imagine what you’ll want to recall, the better you will remember it. —Adapted from the Massachusetts General Hospital newsletter “Mind, Mood & Memory.”   Fun, easy ways to boost your brain power (click) Tighten your tummy for health benefits (click) G-U-L-P to a better memory (click) Front Page Feature | Interchange | Research Review | Elder Issues | Parenting On the Job | We Recommend | A Healthy You | Home

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