Nothing about our brains is set in stone. Our brains are surprisingly dynamic; they can adapt, heal, renew, or rewire themselves.
What you do or don't do daily is changing your brain for better or worse. But it can never be too late to rejuvenate, remodel and reshape your brain to stay in peak condition.
There are lots of crazy claims out there about how to be more intelligent and train your brain to be smarter or healthier. In light of that, here are a few ways to help you reach your full intellectual potential and enhance your brain health.
Learn new things that are related to or unrelated to what you normally do. You can learn a new skill, learn to dance, take up drawing, design, etc. Doing something every day that stretches you and makes you somewhat uncomfortable enhances your brain capacity.
When you learn a new language, it makes the brain grow by increasing grey matter in the areas related to the use of language. Apart from enhancing your brain, it also helps you focus by ignoring irrelevant information. Just make sure, don't do what you have always done.
Physical activities boost your "happy" mood chemicals through the release of endorphins. They help rid your mind and body of tension alleviating anxiety and supporting you to calm down. Like the body, the brain also needs regular exercise to stay flexible.
Physical activities stimulate neurogenesis and the growth of new brain cells that enhance overall brain function.
New brain development keeps your brain young and in shape, allowing you to be more pliable, clear, and efficient in your decision-making, higher thinking, and learning capacities. Exercise is also great for boosting self-confidence and your perception of your attractiveness and self-worth.
Psychologists have known for quite some time that fundamental cognitive skills are fairly stable throughout our life. Now, one of the best players on the self-improvement scene is thought to be brain training, with promises of genuine improvements to our fundamental cognitive skills like working memory and decision-making speed.
Meditation is considered a best practice to improve our mental health. The simple idea of being present throughout your day means being more conscious of life as it happens and noticing any tension or preoccupations of the mind, without any judgment improves mental health.
Many studies have proved that meditation can "permanently rewire" your brain to raise levels of happiness. Human beings are on auto-pilot most of the time and start noticing the world around them.
When you have a healthy and loving relationship, it automatically boosts your happiness, success, and longevity by boosting your capacity to function in life.
A strong social network reduces stress, gives you a sense of belonging, and provides your life with the deeper meaning it needs. When you are loved and loving, and carving out quality time to grow these relations, you become elevated, encouraged, and exalted to enjoy your life fully.
Most people do not take good sleep seriously but, if you sleep poorly, your brain shrinks. Studies have shown that those people who have trouble sleeping, or not getting enough sleep are linked to rapid reductions in their brain volume.
The decline badly affects important areas of the brain where language, touch, balance, and the ability to calculate mathematically or take the decision reside.
Quality sleeps repairs and stores the brain. Improve your sleep habits to enhance your brain health. 7-8 hours of good sleep is compulsory to stimulate new connections and brain development.
Good and healthy nutrition is amazing in supporting your mind as well as your body. Take your diet that includes fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, unsaturated oils, and plant sources of proteins, it will develop cognitive impairment and dementia.
High blood pressure in midlife can increase the risk of cognitive decline in old age. Follow the lifestyle modification to keep your pressure as low as possible.
Diabetes is a vital risk factor for dementia. It can help prevent diabetes by eating right, exercising regularly, and staying lean. In case, you stay high, you will require medication to get proper control.
High levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Improve your cholesterol level with proper diet, exercise, weight control and avoiding tobacco.
Whether you are 25 or 65, consider adopting these simple techniques that can help your brain grow new cells, form new neural pathways, enhance cognition, and keep your outlook positive and sharp.
