It was an ordinary day. Recently received a small booklet in the mail from The Smithsonian Magazine. It was titled "BRAIN MATTERS." Perfect book for me! One story in the booklet was "Thought Music Could Infect THE BRAIN." Talked about how music can infect the brain so I read on. Another story was "The Neuroscientist Who Discovered HE WAS A PSYCHOPATH." Wasn't my type of story, so it wasn't. The final story in the booklet was titled "Ten Ways You Can Boost Your BRAIN POWER STARTING NOW!" Now that's for me! The ten ways were:
1. USE IT OR LOSE IT. Forget the old adage that if you're over 40, memory and cognitive function head south. Scientists have found that the human brain can and does develop new neural pathways at every age. Like any muscle, the brain needs regular workouts to stay fit and healthy. Any brain exercise is good, but not all barren workouts are created equal. Repeating a familiar routine won't give your brain the aerobic activity it needs. The best brain booster will challenge your cranial neurons with activities outside your comfort zone.
2. BREAK A SWEAT. The general rule is "what's good for your heart is good for your brain." The more active you are, the more blood and oxygen are delivered to your brain. Physical exercise also plays a big role in stimulating new neuronal connections.
3. FUEL UP WITH BRAIN FOODS. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, "healthy" fats, and lean protein provide lots of health benefits for your body, heart, and brain...including improved memory and lower risk of dementia.
4. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. Most adults require between 7 1/2 and 9 hours of sleep every night. If you consistently miss your target zzzzz, you're part of the majority of folks classified as sleep deprived. Even skimping on a few hours for one night can make a difference. Memory, creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking may be compromised the next day.
5. KEEP STRESS AT BAY. This definitely falls into the category of "easier said than done." Stress is all around us. But if we dwell on negative situations, we can lose focus and our ability to problem solve when we need it most.
6. SEE YOUR DOCTOR REGULARLY. Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are not the only causes of memory loss and lack of clear thinking. Diabtes, heart disease, menopause, lifestyle issues, and medications for colds and allergies can also be the culprits.
7. SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS. We're wired to be social animals. Some researchers believe sound social interactions may be the best kind of brain therapy of all. Recent findings show that people with an active social life have the slowest rate of memory loss. Conversely, a significant lack of social activity can damage the brain as much as smoking or heavy drinking.
8. READ MORE FICTION. According to a recent study by neuroscientists published in the journal of Brain Connectivity, reading a novel can improve brain functions on a variety of levels. The ability to use your imagination and put yourself in the shoes of another person is similar to developing muscle memory in sports.
9. DON'T ABUSE YOUR BRAIN. Activities like smoking and drug or alcohol abuse can have major consequences on mental functioning. We all have our indulgences, but knowing your limits is always best.
10. TAKNG TIME OFF THE INTERNET. "Is Google making us stupid?" When author Nicholas Carr first posed this question, he zeroed in on an important issue facing neuroscientists today. As we increasingly use and depend on the Internet's bounties, he believes we're becoming lazier and changing our brain in ways that sacrifice our ability to concentrate and think deeply. In fact, scientists are beginning to believe that because we're not "working" our brain sufficiently, we're becoming less smart than we were before.
Well, there are the 10 ways to boost your brain power. See if you might be able to use one...or all of the ways listed to begin to boost your brain power. I plan to give it a try. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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