Why Memorizing Fun Stuff Is Better for Your Brain Than Remembering Passwords

Let's face it: passwords are the worst. They have to be long, complicated and if you are serious about your digital security, they are constantly changing. Save yourself the headache and just start using a password manager—we've got all the free resources you need to get started (see links below). And once you offload the burden of remembering passwords, here are a few ways to engage your brain that are way more fun.

Author

Linda Fawcus
December 04, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

3 Quirky and Fun Things to Memorize (Instead of Your Passwords)

Here are a few ways to get thinking about what to do with all that time and frustration you've saved by using a password manager. Not using one yet? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a link to our top recommended password managers—they’ll do the heavy lifting so your brain can stay sharp for the fun stuff.

1. Geography: Cities, Countries, Lakes, and Mountains

Ever wanted to casually drop, "Oh, by the way, Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan," and then sit back as everyone wonders when you became a geography genius? OK, maybe not. But knowing the world's geography makes you not just smarter but more aware of our planet. 

Why it's good for your brain: Memorizing geography strengthens your spatial memory, helping you build mental maps that improve navigation and problem-solving.

Want an app to help? Check your app store for:

  • StudyGe - World map geography app

  • World Quiz - Learn geography, flags, maps, countries and capitals

2. Famous Paintings and Their Artists

Planning a trip that includes a museum or two? Memorize the masterpieces and their creators and change your visit from passive viewing to a more engaged experience. Hey, you might not even need to check the plaque to see what you're looking at. 

Why it's good for your brain: This type of memorization activates both visual memory (helping you recall the details and style of the paintings) and semantic memory (connecting the artwork with historical and cultural facts). 

Want an app to help? Check your app store for:

  • DailyArt -Daily dose of Art History

  • Google Arts & Culture - See artworks, museums and more

3. Bird Calls and Species Names

For us non-twitchers out there, memorizing bird calls is a fun way to connect with the birds in your neighbourhood. Memorize a few bird sounds, and you will quickly start hearing them everywhere (in a good way)—it's called the frequency illusion.

Why it's good for your brain: Learning bird calls boosts auditory memory and helps with pattern recognition, both of which strengthen brain functions.

Want an app to help? Check your app store for:

  • Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab - Identify birds you see and hear

  • Smart Bird ID - Identify birds you see and hear

  • Audubon Bird Guide - Identify over 800 bird species

The Takeaway

Get your brain out of the endless password loop by using a password manager, and have some fun feeding your brain with info that makes life a little more interesting. Your brain (and your digital self) will thank you.

Until next time.

Linda

P.S. For more on the science behind why memorizing is excellent for your brain, check out:

  1. Johns Hopkins Medicine, titled "Inside the Science of Memory," explains the link between creating new memories and boosting our brain function. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/inside-the-science-of-memory

  2. Harvard Gazette: "Why We Remember and Forget, and What We Can Do About It​" - offers details on how memory works, especially with aging.