We all know that when we smell something it can trigger a memory, but do you really know how the five senses - sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch, can help with memory formation and recall?
Our five senses are unique and personal to us, no other individual will see the same thing the way we see it. Nor will they smell or associate a fragrance in the same way we do.
Here's a list of the five senses along with an explanation
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Sight: Visual cues and images are powerful memory triggers. We tend to remember things we have seen before more easily than things we've only heard about or imagined. Seeing something helps cement it in our memory. That's why techniques like picturing something in your mind or using visual mnemonic devices can aid memory
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Hearing: Sounds and voices are also strong memory boosters. Hearing information, like in a lecture or conversation, helps us encode and retrieve it. Rhymes, rhythms, and patterns in spoken language also make things more memorable. That's why techniques like reciting information aloud or acronyms can help memorisation
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Smell: Our sense of smell is deeply linked to memory and emotion. Smells can vividly bring up memories and feelings from the past. Smells are processed in the brain's limbic system which controls emotion and memory. That's why certain smells, like perfumes or favorite foods, can remind us of people or past experiences
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Taste: Similar to smell, taste is connected to the limbic system. Tastes we experience, especially when paired with smells, can trigger strong memories and emotions. The saying "the quickest way to trigger a memory is through your stomach" rings true for this reason
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Touch: The tactile sense can also leave impressions in our memory. The feel of an object, texture, temperature, or physical encounter can imprint on our mind. That's why activities involving touch, movement, and object manipulation can help boost memory and learning
So now you know, actively engaging our senses when trying to memorise or learn something new helps reinforce it in the brain and memory centres. Combining multiple senses is especially effective since it creates more linkages in the brain to anchor the memory.
How does this relate to sending a card or giving a gift? We are sharing our feelings, we want them to feel special, we want them to know and remember just how much we care. We want them to have that feeling forever.
When you give someone a card or gift, you are sharing your feelings with them. Cards and gifts express emotions like love, gratitude, celebration, sympathy.
Giving a thoughtful card or gift also makes the receiver feel special and valued. It shows them that you want to make them happy.
A meaningful card or gift reminds them how much you truly care about them. It conveys your care and good wishes in a tangible way.
You choose a card or gift hoping the receiver will remember and cherish that feeling of being loved and cared for forever. The gift is a symbol of your bond and the emotions you want to convey.
To put it simply:
- Giving a card or gift shows feelings
- It makes someone feel special
- It reminds them that you care so much
- You want them to remember that feeling forever
