5 Ways to Increase Your Brain Power
by Marisela Meraz
We all have our “off” days, when we are feeling scatterbrained and forget to pick up the milk on the way home or when we spend five minutes trying to figure out the name of that person we were supposed to call after work. With summer coming to an end, we have most likely been in vacation mode, so here are a few ways to keep our brains in top shape:
1. Sleep Well
It’s easy to say, but difficult to follow through with, but getting a good night’s rest every day is essential. Not getting enough sleep can result in sleep apnea or insomnia and is tied to cognitive decline as well. So make your bedtime routine more of a priority at the end of a long day.
2. Fuel Up
A common misconception out there is that certain “superfoods” we eat can help defer our cognitive decline. However, there is no concrete research proving that eating certain foods will improve our cognitive abilities. Overall, eating a balanced and healthy diet that includes more fruits and vegetables is beneficial to maintain our brain power.
3. Take Care of Your Mental Health
Sometimes we must look inward before we look outward, meaning, we should always make sure that we are not only looking our best, but feeling our best mentally and emotionally. So, if you are struggling with depression, anxiety, stress or any other mental health concern, be sure to seek medical treatment if needed.
4. Engage with Others
If you are sitting at your desk and working in front of the computer screen for most of the day, make plans with a friend or co-worker to go out to lunch. Spending at least 30 minutes engaging in a conversation proves to be mentally stimulating. To take it a step further, find ways to participate in more social activities that you would find enjoyable, whether it’s volunteering at your child’s school or having a family game night.
5. Test Yourself
Yes, you can choose to complete a new crossword puzzle or sudoku every morning, but you can also find new and creative ways to boost your brain’s thinking abilities. Take a basic drawing class if you are more artistic or put together that home office desk that’s been sitting in your garage. Keep your brain stimulated with these kinds of activities that help you think in a new way.
*source: https://www.yahoo.com/health/10-ways-to-rev-up-your-brain-and-reduce-the-risk-123655294428.html