To Really Remember Something, Don't Take Pictures Of It

To Really Remember Something, Don't Take Pictures Of It

It may seem counter-intuitive, especially in today's "take and share pictures of everything" society, but research published in the journal Psychological Science points out that if you really want to commit something to memory, you're better off looking and focusing on it—not taking a picture for later review.

Essentially, the bottom line is that we commit things to memory better when we give singular focus to the thing we want to remember. Taking out our phone or camera and trying to take a picture fractures that focus, and makes it more difficult for our brains to cement the memory.

This still raises the question—if someone takes a picture of something they want to remember, and then reviews the photo later, does that improve memory? Good news: Research says yes—if you actually bother to review your photos.

The solution? Focus on the thing you want to remember, be in the moment, and give it your singular focus. If you must take pictures, make sure to go over them later and bask in the memory, don't just let them slip into your digital stockpile.