And when you forget something, you have to relearn it, encoding the skill or knowledge again to memory.
Throughout this book we will reference the role of memory to learning, and in the additional resources I have listed several sources for further understanding how memory and leaning works.
SLEEP AND MEMORY
Later in this book you will discover memory techniques to improve the effectiveness of your learning. But, you likely already practice an important skill for learning everyday -- sleep!!!
An active and awake brain is necessary for encoding new memories, such as learning new concepts and skills. But during sleep our brains is also actively consolidating our memories.Â
According to the book, learning and memory: a comprehensive reference, memory consolidation is the process by which recently learned experiences are transformed into long-term memory. During sleep, our brain takes advantage of less awake-time activity to make the structural and chemical changes in the nervous system needed for long-term memory.
What is you sleep number?
While everyone's sleep number -- the hours of sleep you need each night can vary, according to the US National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should get between 7 and 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep. The sleep Foundation offers tips for healthy sleeping, and you may also consider keeping a sleep diary to track your sleep and find ways you can improve your sleep.
- Keep regular bedtimes and wake up time, even on the weekends.
- Plan time to wind down before bedtime. Minimize exposure to blue light from devices like your phone or your laptop.
- You sleep environmental should be cool, free form disturbing noises, and any light. You might want to use things like blackout curtains, an eye mask, ear plugs, and white noise machine (or another appliance like a fan or humidifier to mask noise).
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, and heavy meals in the evening.
- Anything related to work and entertainment (computers, TVs, etc) should be removed from the bedroom.
Healthy sleep tips
It's well-established that sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. But despite  its importance, a troubling percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.
Though there's a wide range of causes and types of sleeping problems, expert consensus points to ha handful of concreate steps that promote mora restful sleep. Organizations like CDC, the National Institutes of Health, the National Institute on Aging, and the American Academy of family Physicians point to the same fundamental tips for getting better rest.
