Can't remember where you put your glasses? Blanked on your new colleague's name? Forgetting these types of things is a sign of how busy we are, or that we are too busy.

When we're not paying attention, we form memories that are not very robust, say the experts. The key is to get your brain in shape by exercising it.

Try some of these recommended memory tricks to help you to remember:

"What was his name?"
Visualise the name. Look at the person, choose an outstanding feature (for example, bushy eyebrows) and tie the name to the face.
Tip: the sillier the image, the better.

"Where did I leave my glasses?"
Make it a habit. Put a small basket on a side table and train yourself to put all objects you frequently use in the basket — every time.

"What was I going to do today?"
Sing it. To remember a small list of items, adapt the list to a well-known song.

"What's my password?"
Shape your numbers. Assign a shape to each number. To remember your ATM pin (eg. 4298) imagine yourself on a sailboat (4), when a swan tries to attack you (2). You hit it with a tennis racket (9) and it turns into a snowman (8). Try forgetting that image!

"The word is on the tip of my tongue"
Practice your ABCs. Recite the alphabet and when you get to the letter of the movie or name you are trying to remember, your memory should be triggered.

To read about more memory tricks to alleviate so-called brain freeze, see the April edition of Reader's Digest on sale now or visit www.readersdigest.co.za