Train Your Brain
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It's a well-known scientific fact that babies and children of young age develop their brain at a phenomenal rate. A baby's brain is quickly building neurological networks, like a tree is branching out, which indicates the increasing complexity of the brain.
When I was four years old, I learned German (my second language) in two month. Did that make me a child prodigy? Of course, not! Any child of that age is capable of learning a new language that fast, as soon as they are exposed to the right environment. We know about the legendary capacities of the young brain, and sometimes even use it as an excuse why we as adults can't learn so easily. However, newest research into neuroplasticity has shown that the brain has a remarkable quality to build new synaptic connections (even make up for injured brain parts) way into adult age. It follows, that it is not only our responsibility to keep our muscles and physiology in good condition, but also to keep our brains fit. Memory and mental capacity are qualities to be trained, as they most certainly can be developed. Here are 7 top tips to train your brain: 1. Learn a new language ... or anything new! Learning a new language is quite a challenge, and it is also the best way to build new neurological pathways in the brain. Even visiting a new country and learning basic vocabulary will get you out of "brain-slumber." |
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2. Avoid robotisation
It's one of the great capacities of the brain to perform repeated tasks automatically; for example: we don't need to think how to tie our shoelaces or drive to work. However, these automated behavioural pattern can take over our whole life. Countless people live their lives on autopilot. If most of the things you're doing today, are things you have done yesterday, it is time to break free from the robotic circle! Little things can help, for example:
☼ find an alternative route to work (maybe walk or cycle),
☼ eat something for lunch you have never eaten before,
☼ read a book about a topic you never been interesting in before,
☼ make friends with someone you normally wouldn't socialise with.
3. Read instead of Watching
When you watch TV, your brain goes completely passive. Psychological tests have shown that watching TV is linked to under-achievement. You might argue that you do your work regularly and you do it well, but it's still worth asking yourself: how much of it is robotised? Only things which are out of our routine and comfort zone, which we find challenging and which make us feel alive, turn the brain on!
4. Harmonise Left and Right Brain Thinking
A decade or so ago it was popular theory that the brain's left hemisphere was responsible for analytic, and the right hemisphere for creative thinking. While the brain's hemispheric theory is now a bit out of date (it has been shown that the brain is more flexible than that) it is still a useful metaphor. If we manage to harmonise our analytic (more rational) and creative (more intuitive) thinking, our mind's overall capacity will increase.
Some while ago I developed a repetitive strain injury in my right wrist, because of hand-writing many pages daily over more than a decade. That's when I did my research, and found out that you can train to become ambidextrous (using both your dominant and non-dominant hand). Interestingly enough, I felt a real creative boost after I have started writing with the left hand. It was a real challenge, because I used to be very right-handed, but it was well worth it, I could almost feel my brain building new connections.
5. Give Your Brain the Right Food
Superfoods, like blueberries, nuts and seeds will give your brain an extra boost. But also don't be surprised if you'll crave more sweets while studying: the main fuel for the brain is glucose.
6. Spend time in Nature
Nature provides new sensory stimuli. It provides an environment you're probably not used to on an every-day basis, which is ideal for your brain to develop. At the same time, it provides more oxygen and vital energy. You can enhance the beneficial effect of nature by paying attention to the details and stay in the present. Be mindful. There is much going on out there: even a tuft of grass is home to many evolving species.
7. Play Mind Sports
Mastermind, puzzles, riddles and chess... all good mind games help you to keep your brain fit!
In fact, what are you waiting for? Below, we have found a gadget for you, which allows you to start playing chess against the computer right now.
Up for the challenge:
It's one of the great capacities of the brain to perform repeated tasks automatically; for example: we don't need to think how to tie our shoelaces or drive to work. However, these automated behavioural pattern can take over our whole life. Countless people live their lives on autopilot. If most of the things you're doing today, are things you have done yesterday, it is time to break free from the robotic circle! Little things can help, for example:
☼ find an alternative route to work (maybe walk or cycle),
☼ eat something for lunch you have never eaten before,
☼ read a book about a topic you never been interesting in before,
☼ make friends with someone you normally wouldn't socialise with.
3. Read instead of Watching
When you watch TV, your brain goes completely passive. Psychological tests have shown that watching TV is linked to under-achievement. You might argue that you do your work regularly and you do it well, but it's still worth asking yourself: how much of it is robotised? Only things which are out of our routine and comfort zone, which we find challenging and which make us feel alive, turn the brain on!
4. Harmonise Left and Right Brain Thinking
A decade or so ago it was popular theory that the brain's left hemisphere was responsible for analytic, and the right hemisphere for creative thinking. While the brain's hemispheric theory is now a bit out of date (it has been shown that the brain is more flexible than that) it is still a useful metaphor. If we manage to harmonise our analytic (more rational) and creative (more intuitive) thinking, our mind's overall capacity will increase.
Some while ago I developed a repetitive strain injury in my right wrist, because of hand-writing many pages daily over more than a decade. That's when I did my research, and found out that you can train to become ambidextrous (using both your dominant and non-dominant hand). Interestingly enough, I felt a real creative boost after I have started writing with the left hand. It was a real challenge, because I used to be very right-handed, but it was well worth it, I could almost feel my brain building new connections.
5. Give Your Brain the Right Food
Superfoods, like blueberries, nuts and seeds will give your brain an extra boost. But also don't be surprised if you'll crave more sweets while studying: the main fuel for the brain is glucose.
6. Spend time in Nature
Nature provides new sensory stimuli. It provides an environment you're probably not used to on an every-day basis, which is ideal for your brain to develop. At the same time, it provides more oxygen and vital energy. You can enhance the beneficial effect of nature by paying attention to the details and stay in the present. Be mindful. There is much going on out there: even a tuft of grass is home to many evolving species.
7. Play Mind Sports
Mastermind, puzzles, riddles and chess... all good mind games help you to keep your brain fit!
In fact, what are you waiting for? Below, we have found a gadget for you, which allows you to start playing chess against the computer right now.
Up for the challenge: