People engage their muscles in various activities with the goal to increase their strength and endurance. The same principle applies to your brain. Both physical and mental exercises have the power to boost your brain and sharpen your mind by stimulating the repeated transmission of signals in a certain pattern, which leads to the formation of new connections between the neurons. However, you have many other options or solutions available when it comes to strengthening your brain. Adopting a healthy and balanced diet as well as relaxation and concentration techniques are simple and natural ways that you can use in your benefit, more specifically for having a vibrant brain and a reliable memory throughout the years.
Antioxidants are nourishing
The consumption of products with low sugar as well as antioxidants not only improves your memory but also your cognitive performance in general. Among the foods rich in antioxidants, you will definitely find something to your liking that you can add to your diet, such as red grapes, berries, and carrots. Drinks can also be helpful in this department, especially coffee, red wine, and green tea. If you are planning to eat or drink chocolate, make sure that you set a limit and you do not cross it. You probably already figured out that you have to ditch the sugar, which in large quantities can lead to inflammation, and stress as well as being an obstacle for proper insulin regulation, thus harming the brain. Try to consume more vegetables, fish, meat, and nuts.
Cognitive training exercises
These types of exercises challenge your intellectual capacity, which practically represents a significant benefit for your mind. The explanation behind this fortunate consequence is more than simple. They maintain the plasticity of your brain, which refers to its ability to change with the passage of time, thus keeping your mind sharp. In addition, they do not just maintain but also increase this plasticity. You can perform any activities or play any games that can stimulate your thinking capacity and improve your eye-hand coordination. You can do minor actions, like multitasking or go a step further and attempt to learn a new language.
Practice meditation
According to multiple studies, chronic stress is extremely harmful to the brain. The bright side is that you can reduce your stress response by engaging in certain activities or changing your lifestyle habits. Practicing meditation, at least ten minutes a day will help you, and you can choose between various practices including yoga, tai chi or breath-focused exercises. Do not find excuses when it comes to actually doing these methods because you will become your only enemy.
Exercise your body
As we mentioned above, exercising your body is also beneficial for your mind. Researchers have proven that physical exercise improves cognitive function by increasing the levels of a specific protein that helps you think, learn and memorize through the growth of new neurons and the presence of existing neurons. The practices mentioned above also help you perfect your balance, the flow of movement and engage different muscle groups at the same time.
[expand title = “References”]
Be Brain Fit https://bebrainfit.com/foods-high-antioxidants-brain/. 15/11/2017
Harvard Health Publishing https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/what-meditation-can-do-for-your-mind-mood-and-health-. 15/11/2017
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201409/why-is-physical-activity-so-good-your-brain. 15/11/2017
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