Whether it's a birthday, a doctor's appointments, the alphabet in Russian, how to find the area of a triangle or the ingredients for this evening's meal, every day throws up a plethora of reasons to make use of our memories.

While none of us will ever be able to remember everything, there are a number of simple methods that can improve our ability to recall key information.

If you have trouble remembering, read through the following tips -- they may well make life just a little easier.

Name Recall

Few situations are quite as embarrassing as meeting somebody whose name you really ought to know, only to realize you've forgotten it. The following strategies will help eliminate the struggle to remember people's names.

Repeat Names

By repeating the names of new people you meet, your brain stands a better chance of processing the information. Use the person's name in conversation but be careful not to overdo it or you'll end up sounding like an over-familiar salesperson.

Always use the person's name on parting as the brain is more capable of recalling what was said at the end of a conversation that any other time.

Use Face and Name Associations

Visual associations are very effective so next time you're introduced to somebody, try to make some kind of pictorial association. For instance, if you're introduced to Michael Green, try imagining a famous Michael with green shoots coming out of his head.

Don't worry if the picture's totally off-the-wall -- the more bizarre it is, the more likely it is to work.

Tip of the Tongue

It happens to us all. You know that person's name, that TV program or the name of that song but it just won't come to you.

Here are a couple of ways to help you remember.

Run Through the Alphabet

As words are stored according to their individual sounds, running through the alphabet will often trigger the recall of the word you're looking for.

Forget to Remember

Sometimes a wrong answer acts as a block, stopping the right answer from coming through even though we know the answer we've found is wrong. If this is the case, divert your attention to something completely different. By forgetting what we're trying to remember we allow the mind to make new associations on a sub-conscious level. The answer will then pop up when it's least expected.

Memory Aids

Although some people appear to remember every appointment, birthday, anniversary, social engagement and exactly what they need to buy from the supermarket without ever making notes, most of us need a little help along the way.

Keep a Diary

Buy a small diary and keep it in your purse, pocket or briefcase at all times. That way, if anybody invites you to make an appointment, you can always check whether you're available without running the risk of doubling up.

Post-It Notes & Fridge Magnets

If you need to remember household tasks, use post it notes or fridge magnets to keep messages to yourself visible. The more you're reminded of them, the more likely you are to get the chores done.

Shopping Lists

Don't you just hate going to the shops only to come home laden with groceries but without that one item you really needed? Make a list before you leave the house or, better still, hang a list on the fridge and add to it during the week so that when shopping day comes around you'll know exactly what you need.

Calendars

Hang one in a central location and ask the whole family to use it. That way, if one person has made an appointment, others will know about it and will be able to ensure that they don't make an appointment that clashes. After all, you don't want to be going to the dentist at the same time as little Johnny is making his debut with the swimming team, do you?

If you use a diary, always cross-check your diary with the calendar every time you make a new entry. If there are clashes, call the person you made an appointment with immediately and re-schedule.

Other Tips and Strategies

PIN Codes

Now that we're expected to use plastic cards for everything from withdrawing money at a cash machine to taking out books from the library, remembering all those PIN numbers can be a nightmare.

One way around this is to change your PINs to numbers that translate into four letter words you'll more easily remember.

Let's say, for example, that you have two daughters called Nina and Debbie. You could use 6461 (Nina) on one card and 3327 (Debs) on the other. Of course, you'll still need to remember which card is which so try using visual association. If your 'Nina' card is blue, imagine Nina with a blue face.

If you're unable to change your PIN, try using mnemonics to associate the translated letters with a short phrase you're able to remember. If your library card PIN is 2283, you could use "books are too expensive" or if your bankers card is 6468, it could be "money grows on trees". To help strengthen your recall ability even more, try imagining your library full of gold-plated books or your garden full of trees with banker's cards hanging from the branches.

Physical Health

Research has shown that those who exercise regularly, eat healthily and who have regular sleep patterns are far more likely to recall information than others. Regular exercise is crucial to mental agility because it helps oxygen circulate to the brain. Exercise also leads to an improved sleep pattern. Combine this with a balanced diet and you'll be giving your memory the best possible boost.

Mental Agility

A good memory is dependent on good mental agility which is again dependent on mental exercise.

Regularly solving crosswords (or at least trying), playing chess, working out mathematical problems, putting together jigsaw puzzles and any other exercise that requires concentration and brain power will help keep your mind fit and healthy.

It's also important to continue learning even if you're well past retirement age and perhaps feel you have no reason to learn anything new. Studies have shown that those who are deprived of learning stimulation are more likely to develop Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia than those who continue gaining and using knowledge.

Hopefully, by using the above tips, you'll no longer find your banker's card being taken from you because you've keyed in the wrong PIN, your appointments won't clash, and you'll be able to greet everybody with their name when you meet them.