Losing a valuable item can be frustrating, especially if you can’t remember where you put it. Whether it’s your keys, phone, or an important document, memory plays a crucial role in helping us recall the location of our belongings. The process of remembering involves cognitive functions such as encoding, storage, and retrieval. By understanding these mechanisms and implementing strategies to improve memory, we can effectively prevent the distress of losing our possessions.
Memory: The Cornerstone of Our Thinking
Memory isn’t just about remembering where you left your keys; it’s the foundation of every cognitive process we perform. It’s like the trusty sidekick that helps us make sense of the world, think critically, and learn from our experiences.
Memory allows us to retain information, from the most mundane details to life-changing events. It helps us navigate our surroundings, from finding our way to the grocery store to exploring new places. It’s the fuel that powers our imagination, enabling us to conjure up vivid memories of past experiences or dream up fantastical future scenarios.
Think of memory as a master architect, carefully constructing the tapestry of our thoughts, beliefs, and knowledge. Without memory, we’d be like ships lost at sea, unable to chart a course or make sense of the world around us.
Attention: The Gateway to Memory’s Treasure Trove
Hey there, memory explorers! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of attention and its magical role in memory formation. It’s like the gatekeeper of your mind, deciding which information gets to pass into the realm of long-term storage.
Imagine a bustling street filled with an endless stream of people, sights, and sounds. Your brain is constantly bombarded with this sensory overload. But how do you make sense of it all? That’s where attention comes in.
Attention is like a spotlight that shines on specific pieces of information, illuminating them against the backdrop of all the other distractions. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack, but instead of manually sifting through every blade of grass, attention guides your search by highlighting the most promising areas.
By selectively focusing on certain information, your brain creates a stronger memory trace that can be more easily recalled later on. It’s as if you’re etching the essential details into the fabric of your mind, making them more resistant to the ravages of time.
So, when you’re studying for an exam, pay close attention to the material. When you’re having a meaningful conversation, give the other person your undivided attention. These moments of focused engagement are the building blocks for a lifetime of cherished memories.
Perception: The Sensory Gateway to Memory Formation
Hey there, memory enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the fascinating world of perception and its impact on memory formation. Perception, my friends, is the process by which our brains transform raw sensory information into meaningful experiences. It’s like the gateway that lets us understand and remember the world around us.
When we encounter something new, our senses (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin) collect data and send it to our brains. But the brain doesn’t just store this information as-is. Instead, it organizes and interprets it based on our past experiences, beliefs, and expectations. This process of perceptual organization is crucial for memory formation.
Think of it like this: When you walk into a room, you don’t perceive it as a jumble of objects. Your brain automatically groups the furniture, walls, and people into meaningful categories. It recognizes the room as a whole, and this organized perception helps you remember its layout and contents.
To put this concept in perspective, imagine a simple experiment: Show people a series of unrelated images. When they’re asked to recall the images later, they tend to cluster them into meaningful groups based on their perceptual organization. So, they might remember the images of a dog, cat, and bird as a group of animals, or the images of a tree, flower, and mountain as a group of natural scenery.
This perceptual organization not only helps us remember things better, but also influences how we remember them. For example, if you see a picture of a car, your perception of it as a vehicle might make you focus on its make and model. However, if you perceive it as a tool for transportation, you might remember its fuel efficiency and safety features.
So, there you have it: Perception plays a vital role in memory formation. It helps us organize and interpret sensory information, which in turn influences how we remember and retrieve memories. And remember, the more organized your perceptions, the stronger your memory!
Encoding: The Amazing Trick of Turning Memories into Storage-Ready Gems
My dear memory enthusiasts, let’s delve into the fascinating process of encoding, where our brains perform the astounding task of transforming fleeting experiences into durable memories.
The Encoding Process: A Three-Step Marvel
Imagine your brain as a grand library, filled with shelves of memories just waiting to be accessed. But before these memories can grace the shelves, they must first be encoded, which involves three key steps:
- Attention: The first step to encoding is to pay attention to the information. Just like a diligent student, your brain gives undivided focus to the task at hand, be it a captivating lecture or a breathtaking sunset.
- Elaboration: Once you’ve got your brain’s full attention, it’s time to elaborate on the information. Think of it as adding context and meaning to the raw data, like a chef adding spices to a bland dish. The more you link the information to your existing knowledge, the more flavorful your memory will become.
- Rehearsal: Finally, to ensure your memory sticks around, you need to rehearse it. Imagine a song stuck in your head—that’s the power of rehearsal. By repeating the information to yourself (either out loud or in your mind), you’re strengthening the memory’s neural pathways.
Types of Encoding: Visual, Verbal, and More
Just as there are different ways to store music (CDs, vinyl, MP3s), your brain has different ways of encoding memories. Some of the most common types include:
- Visual Encoding: For those picturesque moments, your brain captures visual details like a skilled photographer. The more vivid and detailed the image, the easier it will be to retrieve later.
- Verbal Encoding: When words dance in your mind, verbal encoding takes center stage. Your brain assigns meanings to words and organizes them in a way that makes sense to you, like a clever storyteller weaving a tale.
- Semantic Encoding: Your brain isn’t just a storage unit—it’s also an interpreter. Semantic encoding involves understanding the meaning and relationships between bits of information, so you can make sense of the world around you.
The Role of Sleep on Encoding
Now, for a moment of slumber party science! Sleep plays a crucial role in encoding memories. While you snooze, your brain engages in a magical memory-making dance. It replays and strengthens the neural pathways that were formed during the day, solidifying your memories for future use. So, if you want your memories to shine bright, don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep!
Memory Retrieval: The Art of Unlocking Your Inner Vault
Hello there, memory explorers! Today’s topic is all about how we retrieve those precious memories, bringing them back from the depths of our minds to the bright light of consciousness.
Imagine your brain as a vast library, filled with countless bookshelves of information. Encoding is the process of carefully placing each book on its designated shelf. Retrieval is like walking back to that shelf, finding the exact book you need, and opening it to the page you’ve been searching for.
Cues: The Magic Key
How do we access these memories? Cues are the key. These can be anything from a familiar sound to a specific smell or even a certain emotion. Cues help us narrow down the search, reminding us of the context in which we first encoded the memory.
For instance, when I hear the melody of my favorite childhood song, it instantly brings back those warm summer days playing in the backyard. The song is the cue that unlocks the memory vault, allowing me to relive those cherished moments.
Context and Association
The context in which we retrieve memories is crucial. Imagine you’re trying to recall what you ate for breakfast this morning. It’s much easier to remember if you’re sitting in your kitchen, surrounded by the familiar sights and smells of breakfast.
Memories are also highly associative. One memory can lead to another, creating a chain of recollection. It’s like a web of interconnected thoughts, where each node represents a different memory.
Retrieval Strategies
Sometimes, retrieving memories can be a bit like digging for buried treasure. Here are a few strategies to help you become a master memory hunter:
- Active Recall: Try to recall a memory without looking at any notes or prompts.
- Spaced Retrieval: Review memories at increasing intervals (e.g., 10 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day) to improve retention.
- Interleaving: Mix up different types of memories during retrieval practice to enhance learning.
Memory retrieval is a fascinating and complex process. By understanding how cues, context, association, and retrieval strategies work, we can become more efficient at accessing our inner vaults of knowledge and experience. So, next time you’re struggling to recall a memory, remember the magic of cues and the power of context. Happy memory hunting, explorers!
Unlocking the Secrets of Memory: Exploring the Cognitive Maze
Greetings, memory enthusiasts! I’m your friendly Lecturer, here to guide you on an incredible journey through the captivating realm of memory. Today, we’ll dive into the cognitive processes that make our remarkable ability to remember possible.
First, we’ll unravel the crucial role of attention: It acts like a spotlight, illuminating the information that gets etched into our memory. Next, we’ll explore perception, where our senses gather data and shape how that information is stored. Then, we’ll go behind the scenes of encoding, the process of transforming information into something our memory can hold onto. And finally, we’ll peek into retrieval, where those memories are lovingly dusted off and brought back to life.
Unveiling the Memory Kaleidoscope
Memory is not a uniform entity but rather a kaleidoscope of diverse categories. We’ll start with spatial awareness, our ability to navigate our surroundings. Imagine your brain as a GPS, constantly updating its map based on visual cues and landmarks. Moving on, we’ll delve into visual memory, the gallery of our mind where images and faces are stored. Then, we’ll tackle verbal memory, the warehouse of our words and language.
But wait, there’s more! We’ll uncover the secrets of episodic memory, the time capsule that preserves our unique experiences. And don’t forget semantic memory, the encyclopedia of our general knowledge. Last but not least, we’ll explore working memory, the temporary notepad that holds information for immediate use.
The Brain’s Memory Marvels
Finally, we’ll meet the fascinating brain structures that are the architects and guardians of our memories. The hippocampus is the maestro, orchestrating memory formation. The prefrontal cortex is the executive assistant, managing working memory and episodic memories. The parietal lobe is the cartographer, mapping out our spatial awareness. The temporal lobe is the librarian, organizing semantic memories and language. And the cerebellum, though often overlooked, is the dance instructor, coordinating procedural memories and motor skills.
So, buckle up for a mind-boggling adventure into the world of memory! Let’s unravel the intricate tapestry of cognitive processes, dive into the kaleidoscope of memory categories, and uncover the architectural marvels that make it all possible. The journey awaits, dear memory seekers!
Visual Memory: The Wonders of Storing and Recalling Images
Visual memory, my dear friends, is the extraordinary ability of our brains to record and retrieve images. It’s like a magical camera, capturing the visual world around us and storing it away for later use. But how does this incredible feat work? Let’s dive into the fascinating world of visual memory!
Encoding the Image: A Camera Snaps a Picture
When we see something interesting, our eyes send the information to the brain. The visual cortex, located at the back of our brain, is the photographer of our memories. It breaks down the image into its basic elements, like shapes, colors, and textures. These elements are then stored in the brain’s visual buffer, which is like a temporary storage space.
Retrieving the Image: Accessing the Photographic Archive
When we want to recall an image, we access the visual buffer. But it’s not as simple as flipping through a photo album. Our brains have a clever way of reconstructing the image from the stored elements. It’s like a puzzle that our brains put together, piece by piece.
Two Types of Visual Memory: Pictures and Recognition
- Iconic Memory: This is like a high-speed photograph taken by our brains. It captures the image for a brief fraction of a second. Think of it as a Polaroid picture that quickly fades away.
- Recognition Memory: This is our ability to recognize familiar objects or scenes. Our brains compare the current visual input to stored images in our memory. If there’s a match, we recognize the object.
The Power of Visual Imagery
Visual memory is not just about recalling images. It also allows us to create and manipulate images in our minds. This is called visual imagery. We use visual imagery to plan, solve problems, and even dream. It’s like having a built-in photo editor in our brains!
Visual memory plays a crucial role in our daily lives. It helps us navigate our surroundings, recognize friends and family, and learn new things. So, let’s appreciate this amazing ability and use it to create a vivid and meaningful life!
Verbal Memory: Unraveling the Mysteries of Language-Based Memories
My dear readers, today we’re diving into the fascinating world of verbal memory, the cognitive function that allows us to store and retrieve words, language, and knowledge. It’s like our brain’s own personal dictionary and encyclopedia!
Let’s begin by understanding how verbal memory works. Just like the flavors of your favorite dish, memories come in different forms. For verbal memory, the flavors are:
Encoding: This is where our brain transforms spoken or written words into a form it can store for later.
Storage: Once encoded, these language-based memories are safely filed away in our memory vaults, ready to be retrieved when needed.
Retrieval: When we need to recall a word, phrase, or concept, our brain goes on a retrieval mission, searching for the stored memory and bringing it to our conscious awareness.
Verbal memory is essential for our daily lives. It allows us to:
- Communicate effectively by using words.
- Remember what we’ve read in books.
- Learn new languages and navigate foreign places.
It’s like a magical spell that allows us to communicate with others and make sense of the world around us.
So, who’s the mastermind behind this verbal memory wizardry? It’s our trusty brain! Specifically, the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and temporal lobe play crucial roles in encoding, storing, and retrieving verbal memories.
Episodic Memory: Explain how the brain remembers specific events and experiences.
Episodic Memory: Your Time-Traveling Brain
Imagine being able to re-experience that epic concert you went to last summer or the moment your toddler took their first steps. That’s the magic of episodic memory! It holds the key to our cherished memories of specific events and experiences.
Think of your brain as a time machine, with episodic memory taking us on journeys to our past. It captures the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions of moments that shape who we are. Storing Events Like Bookmarks
Episodic memories are like bookmarks, allowing us to revisit the past with remarkable detail. They’re tucked away in a cozy corner of your brain, the medial temporal lobe, which acts as the filing cabinet for these precious memories.
How does it work? When you experience something significant, your brain takes a snapshot of the event. It stores the details in various parts of the brain, like assembling a puzzle. The hippocampus acts as the conductor, orchestrating the encoding process.
Retrieving Memories: A Magical Journey
When we want to retrieve an episodic memory, our brain goes on a treasure hunt. It starts by sending a search party to the hippocampus, which pulls up the memory’s blueprint. Then, other brain regions pitch in to fill in the details.
For example, the prefrontal cortex helps us remember the context of the event, while the sensory cortex retrieves the vivid details that make the memory so real. It’s like a team of experts working together to bring your past back to life. Embrace Your Memory Marvel
Episodic memory is a powerful tool that allows us to connect with our past and build a sense of identity. It enriches our lives and makes us who we are. So treasure those memories, relive them often, and marvel at the amazing ability of our brains to capture and cherish the moments that shape our journeys.
Semantic Memory: The Encyclopedia in Your Brain
Hey there, memory explorers! Today we’re diving into the vast world of semantic memory, the knowledge-packed library lurking in your brain. It stores all the impersonal facts, concepts, and trivia that make you the walking encyclopedia.
Imagine you’re at a party, charming everyone with your wit. You know that the Eiffel Tower is in Paris, that the speed of light is faster than sound, and that the periodic table was created by a dude named Mendeleev. That’s all thanks to your semantic memory, which has been diligently filing away this knowledge like a librarian.
Unlike episodic memory, which focuses on specific events like your grandma’s birthday party, semantic memory is all about the abstract stuff. It’s the source of your general knowledge, the foundation upon which you build your conversations and impress others with your intellectual prowess.
So how does this memory warehouse work its magic? Well, it’s like a complex network of neurons that group related information together. For example, all the info about cats—their purring, fluffy tails, and love of laser pointers—is stored in one interconnected neighborhood within your brain.
And here’s the cool part: Semantic memory is constantly updating itself. Every new fact you learn, like the fact that the world’s population is about 8 billion, gets added to the network, strengthening the connections between related concepts.
So there you have it, folks! Semantic memory is the knowledge powerhouse that fuels our understanding of the world. It’s the reason why you can hold your own in a trivia night and impress your friends with your vast repertoire of random facts.
Working Memory: The Stage for Cognitive Processing
My fellow memory enthusiasts! Picture this: You’re in the middle of a heated debate with your witty friend. As you search for the perfect comeback, you quickly jot down a few key points to keep in mind. This is where working memory steps in, the trusty sidekick that holds onto vital information while you’re actively thinking.
Think of working memory as a mental scratchpad. It’s where you store temporary information, like that list of debate points, to manipulate, process, and make decisions. It’s like a tiny universe of thoughts, complete with its own limitations and quirks.
Now, don’t be fooled by its name. Working memory isn’t just for work! It also plays a crucial role in everyday tasks:
- Remembering a phone number while you dial it
- Following directions to a new destination
- Solving a tricky math problem in your head
- Playing a game of chess or cards
So, how does this memory masterpiece work? Researchers believe that working memory consists of several different components:
- Central Executive: This is the boss, the conductor of the orchestra. It controls attention, plans, and decides which information to hold onto and which to discard.
- Phonological Loop: Like a tape recorder, it stores and rehearses sounds and spoken language.
- Visuo-Spatial Sketchpad: Picture a whiteboard where you can draw mental images and manipulate spatial information.
Working memory is a limited resource. It can only hold a small amount of information at a time, usually around 4-7 items. So, it’s important to be strategic about what you keep in your mental workspace. And like a muscle, working memory can be strengthened with practice!
Long-Term Memory: Delving into the Depths of Remembrance
Long-term memory, folks, is the granddaddy of memory systems. It’s like an epic library that stores your life’s experiences, facts, and skills. And get this, it can hold information for, brace yourselves, a lifetime!
Types of Long-Term Memory:
1. Explicit Memory:
Think of explicit memory as your conscious recall button. It’s the memory you can actively remember, like recalling the name of your favorite childhood teacher or the lyrics to that catchy song stuck in your head.
2. Implicit Memory:
Implicit memory, on the other hand, is like a ninja memory. It operates without your conscious awareness, helping you with things like riding a bike or remembering how to tie your shoes. It’s the memory that makes everyday tasks second nature.
Duration of Long-Term Memory:
Long-term memory can be classified into two main durations:
1. Episodic Memory:
Picture this: your brain’s very own time capsule. Episodic memory captures specific events and experiences, allowing you to relive moments like your first day of school or that unforgettable vacation you took.
2. Semantic Memory:
Think of semantic memory as your trivia encyclopedia. It houses general knowledge, facts, and concepts. It’s the memory that tells you the capital of France or the definition of photosynthesis.
How Your Brain Stores Long-Term Memories:
The brain has a secret weapon for storing long-term memories: the hippocampus. This little powerhouse acts like a memory librarian, helping to encode and consolidate memories, turning them into lasting treasures.
In a Nutshell:
Long-term memory is the ultimate keeper of your past. It’s the library that holds your cherished memories, the encyclopedia that provides you with knowledge, and the ninja that gives you those incredible skills. So, give your brain a pat on the back for being an incredible memory maestro!
Short-Term Memory: The Memory We Use Right Now
Hey there, peeps! Let’s chat about short-term memory, the memory system that’s like your brain’s notepad, holding info for a quickie. It’s like the RAM of your computer, storing stuff you need right this moment.
Short-term memory is like a limited-capacity party, it can only hold about 7 things at a time. So, if you’re trying to memorize a phone number, don’t bother with all the fancy memory tricks, just break it down into chunks.
Think of it as the memory you use to remember what you’re going to say next in a conversation, or the directions to your friend’s house. It’s like the memory you use when you’re trying to recall what you ate for breakfast this morning.
But here’s the kicker: short-term memory is like a party that ends too soon. If you don’t regularly rehearse the info, it’s like the party guests start to leave. To avoid this, you can either keep repeating the stuff you want to remember or you can write it down.
So, there you have it, short-term memory, the memory we use right now, but only for a limited time. Just remember, keep those party guests dancing if you want to keep the memories alive!
The Hippocampus: Your Memory’s Secret Weapon
Hey there, memory enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the magical world of the hippocampus, the brain’s very own memory maestro. It’s like the superhero of your brain, making sure you remember where you parked your car or which hilarious cat meme just made you laugh out loud.
So, what’s this hippocampus all about? It’s a small, seahorse-shaped structure tucked away in your medial temporal lobe. But don’t let its size fool you, this little guy is the king of memory formation and consolidation.
Think of the hippocampus as the gatekeeper of your memories. It helps you turn new experiences into lasting memories by taking incoming information, organizing it, and sending it off to long-term storage. It’s like a librarian for your brain, making sure everything is in its proper place so you can easily retrieve it later.
But the hippocampus doesn’t work in isolation. It collaborates with other brain areas, like the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, to give your memories that extra punch. The prefrontal cortex helps you remember things you need to do, like grabbing your keys before leaving the house, while the amygdala adds emotional context to your memories, making them more vivid and easier to recall.
So, there you have it, the hippocampus: the unsung hero of your memory. It’s the reason you can remember that time you accidentally dyed your hair purple (don’t judge, it’s happened to the best of us) and the inspiration behind countless jokes about goldfish and memories. Cheers to the hippocampus, the guardian of our most precious moments!
The Prefrontal Cortex: Your Memory’s Executive Suite
Hey there, memory enthusiasts! Let’s dive into the brain’s command center for memory: the prefrontal cortex. It’s like the CEO of your memory system, handling the big picture stuff that keeps your memories sharp and accessible.
Firstly, the working memory, like a sticky note on your brain, holds temporary information for immediate use. The prefrontal cortex keeps these thoughts organized and ready to use, like a juggling act that keeps your current ideas floating. But it does more than just juggle!
Secondly, the prefrontal cortex is a master of episodic memory, your personal time capsule that stores specific events and experiences. It’s like a movie projector, replaying those special moments and transporting you back in time. The prefrontal cortex makes sure these memories are organized and accessible, ready to be relived any time you need a nostalgia boost.
Parietal Lobe: Navigating the Maze of Memories
Hey there, curious minds! Today, let’s dive into the enigmatic world of the parietal lobe, the master of your spatial memory and navigational skills. Brace yourselves for a storytelling adventure as we unravel the secrets of this brain region, keeping it light and engaging!
Picture this: you’re lost in the labyrinth of a bustling city, but like a seasoned explorer, you effortlessly navigate the maze. How do you do it? Spatial memory, courtesy of the parietal lobe, your trusty compass in the brain’s vast map.
This remarkable lobe plays a crucial role in processing sensory information from the outside world, particularly related to touch, taste, temperature, and spatial relationships. It’s like a GPS for your brain, helping you make sense of your surroundings and remember where you’ve been.
But the parietal lobe’s expertise doesn’t end there. It’s also responsible for your navigation skills, whether you’re following a map or finding your way back home from an unfamiliar neighborhood. Its connections to the visual cortex allow you to interpret visual cues, while links to the motor cortex guide your movements.
So, next time you find yourself exploring a new city or navigating a complex maze, remember that your parietal lobe is the unsung hero behind your spatial awareness. It’s the mapmaker, the navigator, and the guide that keeps you on track, both literally and figuratively.
The Temporal Lobe: A Language and Semantic Memory Maestro
My fellow memory explorers, let’s take a detour to the vibrant Temporal Lobe, the brain’s language and semantic memory virtuoso. Picture this: you’re chatting with a friend, trying to recall a specific word that’s on the tip of your tongue. Suddenly, like a lifeline, that word pops into your head, and you utter it with a triumphant grin. Thank you, temporal lobe!
This brain region is not just about speech. It also stores a vast library of semantic memories, your mental encyclopedia of general knowledge and concepts. It knows that Paris is the capital of France, that dogs bark, and that trees provide oxygen. When you need to recall a fact, the temporal lobe steps up to the plate and delivers it.
Moreover, the temporal lobe is a master of language comprehension. It helps you understand spoken and written words, deciphering their meaning and connecting them to your existing knowledge. It’s like having a built-in translator in your brain.
But here’s the cherry on top: the temporal lobe also plays a crucial role in episodic memory, which allows you to relive past experiences and relive moments from your life. Whether it’s your first kiss or that time you won a dance competition, your temporal lobe preserves these precious memories for future nostalgia.
So, the next time you’re struggling to recall a word or want to impress your friends with your trivia prowess, give a virtual high-five to your temporal lobe. It’s the unsung hero of your cognitive symphony.
Cerebellum: Explain the cerebellum’s contribution to procedural memory and motor coordination.
The Cerebellum: Memory’s Secret Agent for Motor Skills
Hey there, memory enthusiasts! Let’s take a detour to a fascinating part of our brain—the cerebellum. You might not have heard of it before, but this little beauty plays a crucial role in a type of memory you use every single day: procedural memory.
Procedural memory stores the know-how of skills we’ve mastered, like riding a bike, typing, or playing the drums. It’s different from the memory of facts (like the capital of France) or the memory of events (like your first day of school). Procedural memory is all about the steps involved in a task, like how to shift gears when driving.
How does the cerebellum help with this? Think of it as the brain’s secret agent. It’s like a coach that trains our muscles to move smoothly and automatically. It compares the instructions from our brain with the actual movements of our body. If there’s any mismatch, the cerebellum sends signals to adjust our movements until they’re perfect.
It’s not just about physical skills, either. The cerebellum also helps with motor coordination, which is how we use our muscles and senses together. For example, when you’re dancing, the cerebellum helps your body balance and move in rhythm. It’s like the brain’s conductor, keeping all our movements in sync.
So, next time you’re playing your favorite sport or dancing like nobody’s watching, remember that your cerebellum is working hard behind the scenes to make it all happen. It’s the secret agent of procedural memory, making you a master of all your moves!
Thanks for sticking with me through this little brain-training exercise! I hope you found some useful tips that will help you keep track of your stuff better. Remember, the key is to develop a system that works for you and to practice it regularly. Before you know it, you’ll be a memory master, never losing your keys or forgetting where you left your phone again. Come back and visit me again soon for more tips on improving your memory and other life hacks to make your life easier.