Fire up the neurons and get your Einstein on with this fitness plan for your brain.
Get wired
Ever heard of “mind gardening”? It’s about doing things to rewire your mind and cultivate the life you want. In their new book, ''Wired for Life (Hay House)'', the creators of mind gardening, Martina Sheehan and Susan Pearse, explain the activities you can do to retrain your brain so you can thrive in life. Here, some easy adjustments that can help you improve major areas of brain function.
[post_ads_2]Ever heard of “mind gardening”? It’s about doing things to rewire your mind and cultivate the life you want. In their new book, ''Wired for Life (Hay House)'', the creators of mind gardening, Martina Sheehan and Susan Pearse, explain the activities you can do to retrain your brain so you can thrive in life. Here, some easy adjustments that can help you improve major areas of brain function.
Memory
> Once a week, memorise the lyrics of a song you like.
> Commit to remembering three of the numbers in your phone each week. Like in ye olde days.
Attention
>It’s easier to pay attention when your body’s alert, so turn the old teacher nag, “Sit up straight and pay attention”, into a mantra.
>Whenever you’re on the move, like when you’re driving, think “Watch out!”. Whenever your attention is directed to watching out, it’s switched on.
Language
>When you’re having a convo, listen to the sound of your own voice. “Hearing” yourself makes your language centres more alert and often triggers you to use different words.
>Each week, find out the meaning of a word you don’t know and use it in conversation. Start with “lexeme”.
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Problem-solving
> Next time you have a problem to solve, write down everything you’re thinking and the steps you’ll take. This helps you check that you’re considering all the important factors and following an effective process.
>Talk a friend through a problem they’re having. Ask them questions and let them respond to find the solution. Listening to someone else problem-solving helps embed the process of problem-solving in your mind.
Exercise your intelligence
Win-win: these activities aren’t just enjoyable, they’re also some of the best ways to grow grey matter, according to top brain doctors. For example, learning a language makes parts of your brain grow, according to a new study by Sweden’s Lund University; dancing uses a bunch of brain systems, including planning, coordination and judgement; and meditation affects parts of the brain associated with learning and memory.
Try these: Learn a musical instrument; study a foreign language; meditate or do yoga; play chess; take a dance class; learn a complex skill, like painting; take a community course; learn to juggle.
Fuel your mental muscle
Eggs contain choline, an essential nutrient that helps your noggin function. (See, there’s a reason they call brainiacs eggheads.) Salmon delivers omega-3 fatty acids, which, according to a new study by the University of Pittsburgh, US, can help improve memory. Don’t you forget it. Blueberries are high in epicatechin, which can help hone your focus. And who doesn’t need more of that?
Mess with your head
Bulk up your brainpower with neurobics: a system of mental drills that force you to challenge your senses and stimulate your mind in unexpected ways. Some simple ones to try:
> Wear earplugs while doing different tasks, like cooking or washing up. Maybe not driving. > Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, or write. > Turn photos on your desk upside down for an hour. Try it. Seriously. > Try navigating around your house with your eyes closed. (Disclaimer: ''WH'' will not be held responsible for any toes stubbed during this activity.)
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How to be a smarter learner
On your Ls in a foreign language course? Returned to higher learning? Dr Robert Bjork, an associate professor of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles, US, shares his best brain-sharpening tricks, from the book ''Brain Trust'', by Garth Sundem:
'''Overwhelm yourself''' “People tend to learn in blocks, mastering one thing before moving on to the next,” says Dr Bjork. A more effective way: a strategy called interweaving. Say you want to improve your tennis game – rather than spending the whole hour on your serve, mix in drills like backhands and footwork.
'' Change the scenery''' Studying in different environments helps you recall the info later – don’t do it only at your desk – read notes on your couch, at a cafe, in a pool (er, if your notes are laminated). Or, if you always study at night, switch to first thing in the morning.
''Stop cramming'' Space your study sessions far enough apart so you can barely remember the info from the first session. “The more you have to work to pull it from the soup of your mind, the more your next study session will reinforce learning,” says Dr Bjork.The brain-fitness plan
> Once a week, memorise the lyrics of a song you like.
> Commit to remembering three of the numbers in your phone each week. Like in ye olde days.
Attention
>It’s easier to pay attention when your body’s alert, so turn the old teacher nag, “Sit up straight and pay attention”, into a mantra.
>Whenever you’re on the move, like when you’re driving, think “Watch out!”. Whenever your attention is directed to watching out, it’s switched on.
Language
>When you’re having a convo, listen to the sound of your own voice. “Hearing” yourself makes your language centres more alert and often triggers you to use different words.
>Each week, find out the meaning of a word you don’t know and use it in conversation. Start with “lexeme”.
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Problem-solving
> Next time you have a problem to solve, write down everything you’re thinking and the steps you’ll take. This helps you check that you’re considering all the important factors and following an effective process.
>Talk a friend through a problem they’re having. Ask them questions and let them respond to find the solution. Listening to someone else problem-solving helps embed the process of problem-solving in your mind.
Exercise your intelligence
Win-win: these activities aren’t just enjoyable, they’re also some of the best ways to grow grey matter, according to top brain doctors. For example, learning a language makes parts of your brain grow, according to a new study by Sweden’s Lund University; dancing uses a bunch of brain systems, including planning, coordination and judgement; and meditation affects parts of the brain associated with learning and memory.
Try these: Learn a musical instrument; study a foreign language; meditate or do yoga; play chess; take a dance class; learn a complex skill, like painting; take a community course; learn to juggle.
Fuel your mental muscle
Eggs contain choline, an essential nutrient that helps your noggin function. (See, there’s a reason they call brainiacs eggheads.) Salmon delivers omega-3 fatty acids, which, according to a new study by the University of Pittsburgh, US, can help improve memory. Don’t you forget it. Blueberries are high in epicatechin, which can help hone your focus. And who doesn’t need more of that?
Mess with your head
Bulk up your brainpower with neurobics: a system of mental drills that force you to challenge your senses and stimulate your mind in unexpected ways. Some simple ones to try:
> Wear earplugs while doing different tasks, like cooking or washing up. Maybe not driving. > Use your non-dominant hand to brush your teeth, or write. > Turn photos on your desk upside down for an hour. Try it. Seriously. > Try navigating around your house with your eyes closed. (Disclaimer: ''WH'' will not be held responsible for any toes stubbed during this activity.)
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How to be a smarter learner
On your Ls in a foreign language course? Returned to higher learning? Dr Robert Bjork, an associate professor of psychology at the University of California at Los Angeles, US, shares his best brain-sharpening tricks, from the book ''Brain Trust'', by Garth Sundem:
'''Overwhelm yourself''' “People tend to learn in blocks, mastering one thing before moving on to the next,” says Dr Bjork. A more effective way: a strategy called interweaving. Say you want to improve your tennis game – rather than spending the whole hour on your serve, mix in drills like backhands and footwork.
'' Change the scenery''' Studying in different environments helps you recall the info later – don’t do it only at your desk – read notes on your couch, at a cafe, in a pool (er, if your notes are laminated). Or, if you always study at night, switch to first thing in the morning.
''Stop cramming'' Space your study sessions far enough apart so you can barely remember the info from the first session. “The more you have to work to pull it from the soup of your mind, the more your next study session will reinforce learning,” says Dr Bjork.The brain-fitness plan
