Of all the factors that influence our lives, the one that we have the most personal control over is our own attitude. You are the ruler of your mental state.
Our memories are not like those of a computer chip; our brain functions are heavily influenced by our emotional state. Positive mood can improve our ability to recall both emotionally neutral and positive information.
Here's an idea for you...
"A quick method of improving your mood is simply to act as though you were already feeling positive. Try straightening up your posture, so that you look confident and energetic. Next, put a broad smile on your face.
Just the act of using your facial smile muscles gets you into a happy frame of mind. Even if it doesn't make you feel instantly blissful, keep it up for a few minutes. At the worst you'll find it hard to be negative."
Being depressed may affect your memory, although not necessarily always directly. If you hold negative beliefs about your own abilities, then you could be creating a self- fulfilling prophecy that subsequently lowers you ability to remember!
"If people can suppress negative thoughts, they will do much better, and a positive attitude can promote effective functioning."
Professor Thomas Hess
In our memories, we tend to exaggerate how bad something felt, and hence dread it more in the future. The link between positive emotions and memory can also run in the opposite direction; we can use our memories to help us feel us more positively.
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