Age-related brain lapses might be unavoidable, but that doesn't mean you can't fight back. The next time forgetfulness strikes, try closing your eyes.
When British researchers had people watch short films and then recall details by answering a series of questions, those who were instructed to keep their eyes closed answered correctly 23% more of the time than people who were told to keep their eyes open. The findings, published in the journal Legal and Criminological Psychology, add to the body of evidence that suggests that cutting out surrounding interference can help you focus more intensely on remembering an important piece of information.
"By closing your eyes, you're lowering your brain's cognitive load. Distractions get blocked out, which help you focus on the task at hand," says lead study author and Aston University psychology lecturer Robert Nash, PhD. Eye closure can also help you form a mental picture of the thing you're trying to recall: When you're not forced to look at whatever's going on in front of you, it's easier for your brain to recreate the image of where the heck you left your iPhone.
The study was actually conducted to learn more about techniques that can help eyewitnesses better recall crime-related details. But eye closure is likely just as effective in everyday situations as it is in court. The one thing to keep in mind? "If you're highly distracted or trying to juggle 20 things at once, that might be a scenario where you don't remember things as well," Nash says. Unsurprisingly, feeling crazy stressed or anxious can disrupt your concentration and make remembering more difficult, even when your eyes are shut tight.