Better Brain; Better Life: 8 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power

It’s probably not news to you that if your brain isn't working quite right, nothing in your life will work quite right either. 

But the real question is… 

Are you being intentional about keeping your brain healthy and active and growing? 

A lot of us as Thinline Heros are concerned with growing the size of our biceps or shrinking the size of our waist (or whatever turns you on in the mirror). And sure, having a fit capable body is important. 

But what about our brains? 

After all, what we do isn’t all physical. It’s mental too. 

Plus,  keeping your brain happy and healthy is critical to enjoying your life at the highest level. 

And yet, very few people have a workout plan for their brain. 

Kind of weird, right? 

We thought so. 

That’s why we are sharing 8 ways to give your brain the attention it deserves and boost the power of your brain:

1. Exercise regularly. Yes, there’s that pesky exercise idea again. And your brain is one more reason to keep at it--or to get started. 

Why? 

Because roughly 30% of your brain's volume is composed of blood vessels. It's important to keep your blood moving! 

Exercise gets your blood flowing and helps to control your blood sugar. High blood sugar is harmful to blood vessels. That's why so many diabetics die of heart disease or stroke at a relatively young age. Lack of exercise could also contribute to things like dementia and Alzheimers. 

2. Read each day. Yes, reading. Not a podcast. Not an audiobook. Not a YouTube video. Read.
   
   Why? 

Because reading requires a lot of your brain. It's not easy to transform symbols into words and meaning. Spend some time each day with a book that makes you think. You might learn something useful, too. Ten minutes per day is enough.

Avoid reading the same types of books on a regular basis. Read well-written articles. Read the classics. Try a new science fiction novel. How about a book on theoretical physics? Reading the sports page every day doesn't count. The same goes for romance novels by your favorite author. Mix it up. 

3. Eat well. A healthy diet will help preserve your  brain function. Do a little research on the best diet for longevity and attempt to make a few changes to your eating habits. A few, small changes each month will go a long way toward keeping your brain healthy.

4. Meditate. Meditation is powerful for several reasons. You'll learn to focus like a Tibetan monk. You'll also learn how to relax. Both are wonderful for your brain. Meditation is hard work. It's like a decathlon for your mind.

There are plenty of mediation apps in your app store. Three of the top ones are Calm, Headspace, and Muse. Again, 5-10 minutes is all you need. Leave for work 5 minutes early and do it in your car. 

5. Challenge yourself. Learn something new. Learning to paint, speak a new language, or dance are a few great examples. Learning something new forces your brain to create new neural pathways. Your brain's ability to change is referred to as its "elasticity."

This can be very challenging at first. If you've been living the same day repeatedly for several years, learning something new is similar to going jogging for the first time. It's painful, and you don't get too far. 

Be patient and give your brain a chance to wake up.

6. Do something that requires a lot of brainpower. It might be solving cryptograms or writing a computer program. Try  Wordle. Take a multivariate calculus class. Study chess. Push your brain to the maximum. 

7. Remember the past. As we grow older, it's more challenging to remember facts from the past. When you can't remember something, avoid giving up. Take all the time you need to remember. You might finally remember the name of your high-school English teacher while you're mowing the grass. Keep at it.

You can also just pick a random date on a calendar and try to remember something from that day or time period. 

Another option is to go back over your day and try to remember the little details of the day. What were the kids wearing? How much milk was left in the jug after breakfast? Because your brain is on auto-pilot for most tasks, it can be much tougher than you think to remember the little details of your day. 

8. Get out and socialize. Spending too much time alone has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing dementia. Have an active social life and spend more time with others. You'll enjoy your life more, too.

Here’s the bottom line… 

There are many benefits to keeping your brain in tip-top shape. You'll enjoy better mental health and preserve your mental faculties longer. 

Just like your body, your relationships, and your job, keeping your brain healthy requires attention and intention. 

Challenge yourself to learn new information and skills. Your brain is an amazing tool but like any tool, it must be maintained.