Your brain is the controller of you. All that you are and all that you do come from this central control system. Therefore, keeping it sharp and healthy is essential in maintaining an adequate degree of functionality. From waking up in the morning and picking out your attire for the day, to preparing for an important presentation, to even helping your child with a school project, in order to effectively remain coherent you must take care of your brain.
The best way to improve the state of the mind is to sharpen your thought processes. Surely you have heard of brain exercises, the power of motivational speakers and how reading can help to keep the mind young. But, did you know that there are many other things that you can do to effectively sharpen your thoughts? Here are 5 simple, yet effective ways you can improve your thought processes.
Stay Active
Surely you have heard it before – “an active body is the key to an active mind.” It is true. Many studies have proven throughout time that the key to a sharp, healthy, active and young mind is exercise. Staying active increases the blood flow throughout the body. As circulation improves and more blood makes it to the brain, thought will naturally become more rapid, as well as deeper and stronger. Science has found that aerobics actually increases the levels of a protein in the brain used for long-term memory, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF). Perhaps staying active makes the brain function more naturally and easily because it makes you feel better. Who would not agree that being healthy makes you feel strong, sharp, energized and overall bulletproof?
Staying active includes exercising the brain, not just the body. Frequent stimulation of the brain in all areas will inevitably help to hone in on superb thought processes. This might be by way of a simple crossword puzzle or Sudoku – whatever gets your gears turning, indulge in.
Staying active also means keeping the mind active. The best way, in addition to brain exercises, to keep your mind active is to read. Be diligent to set aside specific time for reading and expanding your knowledge. As in doing so nourishes the brain and improves thought perception processes.
Stay Organized
Just as when your home or office is in shambles, clutter also hinders the mind’s ability to think effectively and efficiently. The brain craves order and finds it tougher to operate under chaotic circumstances. Taking the time to organize your life by way of importance will help the brain from overloading and short circuiting. When your life is organized so too is your mind, and when the mind is organized, it is easier to recall information at the drop of a hat.
Eat, Drink and Be Healthy
In terms of foods to eat to feed the brain, generally speaking, if it is good for the heart – it is good for the brain. Think low-cholesterol, leafy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and amino acids. Lean fats, omega-3’s, and antioxidants are also essential for optimal brain functioning.
As with most things in life, anything in moderation will suit you and your brain well. The same goes for feeding and hydrating the mind. Speaking of hydrating, water is a key ingredient to a properly functioning effective and efficient thinker. Not only that, but you might be surprised to hear that alcohol too is said to be good for the mind. Researchers claim that moderate consumption of alcohol such as red wine, will actually increase the levels of HDL in the blood. HDL is the good cholesterol that improves the condition of the blood in the body, which will in turn eventually make it to the brain.
Additionally, chewing gum is said to improve blood flow to the brain, which ultimately results in improved functioning.
Sleep
Sleep is said to be one of the most effective tools in improving the condition of the brain. In fact, many experts claim that if they could choose only one pointer to help sharpen the mind, it would be sleep. Imagine that. The brain requires at least 7-9 hours of sleep nightly to function optimally. Not only that, but naps are also critical – two naps to be exact. Seems extreme, yes. After all, who the heck has time to nap these days? However, it has been proven that even a brief 6 minute nap has the capability of boosting brainpower. One of the worst things that you can do is to drink coffee in place of sleep. This is crippling to the brain in more ways than one and is therefore highly discouraged.
Laugh
Interacting with people who make you laugh is an essential part of stress relief. As I am sure that you have heard, laughter truly is the best medicine. In addition to its medicinal qualities, laughter is an excellent source of ‘food’ for the brain. Surround yourself with people that make you laugh, those that keep you young at heart; and they too will keep your mind sharp.
When it comes to keeping your mind sharp, more is not necessarily better. Meaning, cramming your brain full of knowledge is not the best way to utilize its full potential. Instead, nurture it, feed it and cater to its needs. Motivational speakers can help to encourage healthy behaviors and inspire you to channel positive thought processes as they know how to play with words and influence the minds of . Use the five tips above to help keep your mind sharp and you will see the benefits of a healthy mind reflect into the onset of your everyday life.
