Brain Fitness

Brain Fitness has become as popular as physical education class these days.  So, check out the top ten tips to come to mind for many  interested in fine tuning the orchestra in their brain. Indeed, there are many ways to stimulate your brain. Whether you are young, middle aged, a senior, or brain injured, brain fitness may be a very advantageous part of your daily routine.

Drink Water! Dehydration may actually contribute to poor concentration, inhibited memory, and limited focus abilities. This is due, in part, to the fact that your brain needs water. Water fills up as much as 90% of your brain. In short, drinking 6-8 eight ounce glasses of water each day helps to prevent strain on your brain. Water can also help get your brain going before staff meetings, presentations, and classes. In addition, water keeps your brain thinking clearly through stressful situations.

Peaceful Sleeping. Six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep helps to compile the details of learning for the day. Peaceful sleep also provides you with ample energy and focus to maintain attention to intellectual topics the next day.

Proper Nutrition. Proper nutrition balances hormones and chemicals in the brain. Foods that stimulate brain power are filled with vitamins B12, B6, C and Vitamin E, as well as, folate, calcium, potassium and magnesium, and betacarotene. Foods containing these ingredients can enhance your brain’s function and memory, including: milk, orange juice, vegetable juice, spinach, black eyed peas, acorn squash, salmon, baked potato, and banana.

A bit of honey, with its anti-oxidant properties for the aging brain, may help to inhibit free radical damage to cells.  It’s also critical to stay away from foods that are known to hinder your brain, including: artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, high-sugar drinks and foods, hydrogenated fats, and white-flour products.

Connective Music. Researchers at the University of California evaluated children who studied piano and sang daily in chorus to find that they scored 80% higher in spatial intelligence when compared to a group that did not engage in a form of music.  Singing exercises your right brain for improved problem solving and pattern recognition. In fact, people who stutter often stop stuttering when they sing.

Learn. Reviewing and reflecting on new information can stimulate your brain. It is easier to retain new information when associating the new information with prior knowledge about the relational topic. Consider writing down connecting points which can reinforce new memories.

Engage in Emotions. Your brain’s amygdala manages your emotions; including your responses to stress and fear. In doing so, your amygdala helps to process your memories with the assistance of your brain’s hippocampus which manages factual information. Your hypothalamus steps in to direct the pituitary gland for its release of responsive hormones, such as, body temperature, appetite, and sexual function.

Exercise. Exercise allows your body to process oxygen much more quickly and efficiently throughout your brain and body. In doing so, exercise helps to protect the health of your brain cells because cells require oxygen to thrive. Some of the latest research shows that exercise triggers new connections in nerve cells of the brain and can lead to the growth of new cells.  Movement alone can wake up the brain.

Sharpen Executive Functioning. Managed by the frontal lobes in the neocortex of the brain, executive functions take place. These functions include:  memory, flexibility, change adjustments, planning, rules, and resisting unhealthy temptations. These functions may be improved with movement or exercise and redirecting attention to different topics or different forms of presentations.

Meditation. Bringing your attention to your breath through meditation for five to ten minutes each day can help you relax. This type of calming can clear your mind. Deep breathing provides more oxygen for your blood ad stimulation for your brain.

Brain Games. There are brain game software programs offered by companies like Nintendo and Head Strong that may improve short term memory.  There are also board games, card games and puzzles that may help keep your mind agile.  Engaging your mind in games can help keep your mind sharp.  Even a good riddle is a great way to stimulate your brain.

Indeed, there are many things you can do to stimulate your brain. In fact, a proactive approach is always best. Why not stay ahead of brain dysfunction before it begins? It’s great to be smarter, more creative, inventive, and to experience inviting conversations.   In any case, it’s never too late to add more power to your brain!   With a few simple tools, techniques and tricks, brain power enhancement can be yours!