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By now most people know how important sleep is to almost every aspect of health and well-being, from metabolism to stress levels. Now, scientists have discovered a new benefit that goes along with a good night’s sleep: the ability to improve your memory in the short term for remembering all the items on your mental to-do list. If you find yourself forgetting to do things all the time, you may want to look at your sleeping habits.

Here’s your cue

Scientists focused on short-term memory by testing subjects’ ability to remember day-to-day tasks. So, how does sleep help you to remember to send that email or keep an appointment? It turns out that a good night’s rest helps the brain to pick up on ‘weak clues’ that trigger memory – seeing something connected with the task that you have to do will remind you to do it, rather than going unnoticed.

Help your memory

It’s also suggested that mentally reviewing tasks before you go to sleep can help you to remember them the next day. Before you go to bed, try writing out a list of the tasks to be accomplished the next day. The benefits are threefold: you’ll be more likely to remember the tasks in the morning, you’ll have your list to consult in case something does slip your mind, and you can avoid lying awake worrying about the things you need to remember to do.

Getting your rest

For a start, make sure that you’re sleeping on a mattress that’s comfortable and supportive. Try to sleep in a completely dark, silent room and establish a regular bedtime routine, including going to bed at the same time most nights of the week. You’ll be amazed at how much better you sleep – and hopefully you’ll find that the better rest you get will have an impressive effect on your memory.

Tags: sleep, stress