Clever Brain

There’s an old myth that has been going around for ages that says humans only use 10% of their brains. While the scientific community has been trying to dispel the said myth through countless research and the releasing of their findings, this statement still finds its way to make people believe it is so.

While it is true that all of the parts of the brain may not be functioning all at once at any given time, within a 24 hour period, many of the areas do work (much more than the said 10%) and are active though we may be conscious of it or not. Examples of these are when we are asleep or when we are bombarded with information through the different media channels. We may not be aware of what’s going on within our gray matters but as long as there are no neurological problems present, the brain cells or neurons (cells that transmit electrical or chemical impulses to and from other cells in the body) within them would be definitely working.

There are several tips on how to increase one’s brain power. These could include doing or not doing, physical or mental activities, depending on the activity and their effects; being aware of the beneficial and not so beneficial foods; or even taking food supplements.

Although there are many to mention, below are just some of the best known ways on how to increase brain power:

1. Take care of your physical body.

Much as you might not really be into it and would rather procrastinate on it, exercise is a good way to keep your body and brain healthy. It has been shown that doing regular exercises help in the formation of new brain cells and reinforce the connections between them. Another thing is that while you exercise, there is an increase of oxygen flow to the brain and there are findings that with the increase in oxygen, there is also an improvement in mental sharpness.

One other point comes up when brain power is discussed. It is said that since our earthly bodies deteriorate while we age and because of the aging, loss of brain function is inevitable due to the wearing out of the neurons. However, this is not so. And exercise is such an example. To see if exercise really does help maintain and improve mental ability even in the advanced years, research was done on the elderly populations which included those who were active and inactive. Results showed that those who led active lifestyles demonstrated better mental skills. According to research, exercise is also said to be one of the best ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Learn, learn, learn.

It is shown that as we learn new things and challenge ourselves, the brain grows as well. There are so many things to learn as there are different hobbies or interests one is into.

If you are into music and have always wanted to play an instrument but just didn’t have the time to do so before and you do now, this could be a good opportunity to pick up a guitar and strum, pluck or try a wicked riff (in due time) or play the piano to your heart’s content. Trying to study a new language also helps prevent the aging of the mind.

While we think that learning ends after we graduate from high school, college or any learning institution, life in itself is a long process of learning. And as we continue to do so, whether it’s even just to learn to cook a new dish, the brain gets much advantage from it

3. Be careful of what you eat.

Have you ever noticed that there are times when, after a meal, you either feel lethargic, have a difficult time to focus or your mental alertness doesn’t seem to be there? This is because the food that we eat does affect our brain function, concentration and thinking. It has been shown that fatty foods have a negative effect on the level of mental alertness and function.

So what are some of the foods that could be deemed brain-friendly? Brain healthy foods include walnuts, fruits like blueberries, apples and oranges, oatmeal and bran and milk among many others. Water is also a good way of helping your brain as drinking enough of it will prevent dehydration that raises stress hormones which in turn can cause damage to your brain.

What to be considered brain healthy to eat are those foods with a low glycemic index. Glycemic index or GI is the rate at which carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels and the higher the GI, the greater the chance of getting the sugar rush and the crash that goes with it.

You can also try food supplements to help increase brain power. As there are those that aid in lowering cholesterol or control diabetes, there are also those, so-called nootropics, that aid in boosting the power of your brain. An example of this is gingko biloba which not only act as an anti-oxidant but also improves circulation of blood through the brain.

4. Manage your stress and mind your thoughts.

Stress can have not only a bad but even leave a damaging effect on your brain. Studies show that a long episode of stress can result in impaired memory and brain cell communication.

Since stress is part of our lives and we can never really avoid them, it’s best to learn how to manage them by changing how we perceive and address them or having a break from them by relaxation or trying to do things that you enjoy.

As mentioned, these are just some of the ways in helping boost your brain power. By trying to practice and apply these, perhaps you might be able to see improvements sooner than you think. Anyone wants to try an IQ test?

Do you sometimes forget about important dates or details, even if you have just read about them a few minutes ago? Does your head easily ache after reading a few texts, or become confused while somebody is explaining an important matter? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then you might already be suffering from a decline of your mental powers.

The brain is known to be the most powerful organ in the body, as it gives all the directions on how the rest of the organs should work. It also takes charge of both your voluntary and involuntary motions, and takes care of your growth and maturity. But while it possesses great power, the brain can also suffer from a decline of its abilities, and this can actually put your health into danger.

Reasons Why Your Brain Loses its Prowess

Age

The brain stops growing as we turn 15. We later enjoy its full force during our prime years, but as we grow older, the brain’s abilities decline as well. This is due to the brain cells losing their strength through time, thus making us prone to senility, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia during our senior years.

Unhealthy Lifestyle

The brain is strengthened by the food we eat, the rest we take and the exercises we perform. If we tend to slack and feed on a poor diet which lacks the nutrients our brain needs, it would then be prone to losing its powers faster, in turn making us more susceptible to forgetfulness even at a young age.

Chronic Stress

Exposure to stressful environment such as everyday family arguments, noisy surroundings and pressure at work can easily wear us out of both physical and mental strength. This is because our adrenal glands, the glands which provide us with vital energy, are pushed to the limit, and when they get tired, so does the rest of our body, including the brain.

Drug Dependence

Relying on certain medications, particularly stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine is highly detrimental to brain health. Stimulants (including caffeine) make the brain work faster and more efficient at a particular time frame, but once they wear off, the brain is left tired and all burnt out. In turn the normal brain functions are greatly altered, and in time the effects can no longer be controlled, leading the person to be mentally and emotionally unstable.

It is important to take good care of your brain’s health, as the nerve cells, once damaged, can no longer regenerate. Taking care of your brain is easy, and that is by following a proper diet, giving the brain muscles enough exercise, and having enough good, quality rest.