“If you nurture your mind, body and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more.”
- Brian Koslow
It’s simple, your brain is at the center of everything you do, all you feel and think, and every nuance of how you relate to people. It’s both the supercomputer that runs your complex life and the tender organ that houses your soul. So it is very important to focus on keeping your brain in shape.
By regularly engaging in the right activities, you can increase your memory, improve your problem-solving skills and boost your creativity. Here are some extra tips on how to keep your brain in top nick.
1. Just stop.
Take 20-30 minutes out of your day to think about nothing. But don’t sleep – you’ve got to meditate. Sit still, reduce sensory input, and try to focus your mind on something like a calm scene or a color (to begin with thinking about something rather than trying to think of ‘nothing’ is easier). A study at the University of Kentucky revealed that subjects who took a late-afternoon test after meditating for 30 minutes had better scores than those who napped for the same time.
2. Hit the streets.
Lace up your running shoes and get moving. A study from the University of Illinois, US, revealed that aerobic exercise actually increases brain volume. They put two groups through different regimens – one did aerobic training three times weekly for one hour; the other group did just stretching and toning exercise. The aerobics group had increased their brain volume and white matter, which forms the connections between neurons.
3. Mix it up.
Exercise has long been hailed as an aid to brain-power longevity. But to ensure you’re not leaving the gas on in your eighties, vary your workout routines now. Try changing things up on a regular basis and you’ll stimulate your brain more because you’re not using the same pathway over and over again.
4. Read a book.
Choose from classic literature, science fiction or personal development books and give your brain a boost. Pick up a novel before your next flight or vacation. On top of the cerebral benefits, the escapism that comes from reading can be very relaxing. Reading helps you exercise your cognitive skills and increase your vocabulary. Do it regularly and you’ll be amazed at the information you absorb, which will make you a more interesting conversationalist.
5. One-cup-manship.
Swilling coffee could be the perfect accompaniment to the cryptic crossword. Austrian researchers measuring brain activity found short-term memory and concentration improved after consuming 100mg of caffeine – equal to an Americano. But after 40 minutes those guinea pigs were back to the dumbness levels of a twice-a-day Deal Or No Deal viewer.
6. Engage in a debate.
A lively discussion can be invigorating. As long as you avoid letting it digress into an argument, you can have a lot of fun debating the pros and cons of an issue with a friend or colleague. Playing with your brain stimulates blood flow and strengthens the connections (synapses) between nerve cells in the brain. You’ll practice your quick thinking skills, logic and creativity. And developing convincing theories on the spot will help you in your career and in your personal relationships.
7. Grab the Brainbox 360 controller.
Believe it or not, playing certain video games can actually be good for your health. You’ll develop stronger visual skills and make decisions 85% faster than non-gamers, say experts from the University of Rochester, New York. Gamers can read the newspaper, recognize a scene or pick out facial features faster in between fragging killer aliens.
8. Subscribe to a daily newsletter.
Make the most out of your web surfing. Whether it’s a “word of the day,” “quote of the day” or “this day in history” newsletter, receiving new information each day will add data to the hard drive in your head. The mental stimulation will increase your comprehension skills. The additional knowledge will also make you sound more worldly and intelligent.
9. Curry favours.
Tuck into a Ruby Murray tonight to clear the mental cobwebs. Scientists from University of California discovered that curcumin – a yellow-coloured compound found in the curry spice turmeric can slow the onset of memory loss. Small doses of curry could also help protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease – at least that’s the effect in rats. Curries with a yellow tinge will have the highest curcumin count.
10. Grab a cue and play pool.
Rack ‘em up, grab a cue and concentrate on your strategy. Billiard players must focus on the immediate, blocking out distractions as they plan their next moves. Strategic planning increases mental clarity. Concentrating on the immediate helps keep your mind sharp. Furthermore, this game of angles demands that players think in terms of physics, something most of us rarely do in our everyday lives. And it’s a brilliant way to pass the time.
11. Learn an instrument.
A Stanford University research has found for the first time that musical training improves how the brain processes the spoken word. So pull out your old guitar, sign up for piano lessons, or rent a trumpet or a clarinet. Learning how to make music will stimulate your creativity. Reading music provides mental stimulation. Playing an instrument requires powers of recall as well as concentration to maintain tune and tempo.
12. Being boron.
Fat-busting snacks have the added benefit of enhancing your little grey cells. British Nutrition Foundation reports show low-fat dried fruits such as dates are a good source of brain-boosting boron. Get 200g of the fruit down you a day and you’re likely to score higher in motor skills than your raisin-less colleagues.
13. Fresh air golf playing.
Escape to the links and spend a few hours in the fresh air counting birdies, bogeys and mulligans. Just play! It is good for your spirit and good for your brain. Golf is a social sport and a great way to network and relax at the same time. Golfers get mental stimulation using their decision-making skills as they plan stroke strategies. As the sport involves the control of repetitive movements, it instills mind-body discipline.
14. Less stressed with yoga.
Yoga is more than an exercise and you might be surprised at how strenuous it can be. Beyond the physical demands that give your entire body a workout, yoga has great calming and relaxation qualities. Yoga forces you to focus on controlling all your muscles and your breathing. You’ll let your worries slide away, giving your mind a rest from stress.
15. Build a miniature model.
Remember the fun you had as a kid making model airplanes and cars? Recreate that by building a miniature model, it is a great way to activate your brain and keep it in good working condition. Following all those written instructions sharpens your powers of concentration. Focusing on the task at hand will also be very relaxing.
Remember to keep your mental faculties in tip-top shape by giving yourself plenty of opportunities for mental stimulation; by keeping your mind active you’ll reap great brain-boosting benefits.
If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. Thank you!
University Update
15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape…
…
June 12, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Pat
Great tips. I agree that one of the best time to think is during exercise, especially if it’s a routine since our mind are not focused on what we are doing. It’s pretty much
June 12, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Ablewise Free Classifieds
Point one got me. Meditating vs Napping during mid day. Maybe I should try to see. So far taking a “power nap” always seems to be able to allow me to have better concentration for the rest for the day.
There should be a point 16. Sex, but I do not want to go there.
June 12, 2007 at 11:55 pm
Buğra
Thanks for these great ideas.
June 13, 2007 at 1:54 pm
Wally
Very nice tips. I believe that keeping the mind active by thinking strategies, ideas and reading for information are great ways of keeping it in shape.
We know that stress has a huge effect in our mental and physical health, therefore we should avoid it by working on tasks based on our capacity.
June 13, 2007 at 8:19 pm
GNIF Brain Blogger
Brain Blogging, Eleventh Edition…
Welcome to the eleventh edition of Brain Blogging – a semi-monthly blog carnival that aims to review posts “related to the brain and mind that go beyond the basic sciences into a more human and multidimensional perspective.”
This carnival is a prou…
June 16, 2007 at 1:18 pm
SelfPursuit » Blog Archive » Increase Brain Activity
[...] Read the full story and other 5 ways [...]
June 18, 2007 at 3:26 am
Marrakech Travel
There’s only one for me, that is, to use it everyday. I hardly stop thinking about all sorts of things.
June 28, 2007 at 12:55 am
Linda
I like the way that the benefits from each activity is explained. Great site.
June 29, 2007 at 6:17 am
SteveDavis Blog » Blog Archive » Online ‘In’ Sites on FIVEaa, Sunday, July 1, 2007
[...] VTV rider is a compelling collaboration between two South Australian doctors who are using You Tube as an outlet for their creativity. One is Alex Nakone who is the cinematographer and editor of the duo. In a former life, he was once a partner in a video production company in Adelaide. His work is stimulating and creative and the images he creates look like they were shot with huge budges. The other half of this duo is John C Williams who is a doctor who is a jazz musician at heart. His compositions are classy and meditative. I believe John is based on the Far West Coast – so a lot of their locations are shot in beautiful SA country. Calling Me, Calling You. A lone guitarist walks through a desert and plays his guitar. His melody changes the clouds above into an aurora and he is transported to another world. In the end he finds himself still in the desert Beautful View 2 – great coastline. Personal Development with the Ririan Project [...]
June 30, 2007 at 11:11 pm
Increase Your Brain Power : JDsBlog
[...] Here is a list of 15 Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape, found over at ririanproject.com. [...]
July 1, 2007 at 5:03 am
Daniel
I’m glad that you included learning an instrument in your list. I have taught some adult piano students who took piano lessons for enjoyment AND for memory improvement. There is no doubt in my mind that learning an instrument and repertoire improves your memory and learning capacity.
July 1, 2007 at 6:46 am
15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape - MuscleMX.com Forums
[...] 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape If you nurture your mind, body and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more. – Brian Koslowhttp://farm2.static.flickr.com/1091/…d700c2.jpg?v=0Its simple, your brain is at the center of everything you do, all you feel and think, and every nuance of how you relate to people. Its both the supercomputer that runs your complex life and the tender organ that houses your soul. So it is very important to focus on keeping your brain in shape. By regularly engaging in the right activities, you can increase your memory, improve your problem-solving skills and boost your creativity. Here are some extra tips on how to keep your brain in top nick. 1. Just stop.Take 20-30 minutes out of your day to think about nothing. But dont sleep youve got to meditate. Sit still, reduce sensory input, and try to focus your mind on something like a calm scene or a color (to begin with thinking about something rather than trying to think of nothing is easier). A study at the University of Kentucky revealed that subjects who took a late-afternoon test after meditating for 30 minutes had better scores than those who napped for the same time. 2. Hit the streets.Lace up your running shoes and get moving. A study from the University of Illinois, US, revealed that aerobic exercise actually increases brain volume. They put two groups through different regimens – one did aerobic training three times weekly for one hour; the other group did just stretching and toning exercise. The aerobics group had increased their brain volume and white matter, which forms the connections between neurons. 3. Mix it up.Exercise has long been hailed as an aid to brain-power longevity. But to ensure youre not leaving the gas on in your eighties, vary your workout routines now. Try changing things up on a regular basis and youll stimulate your brain more because youre not using the same pathway over and over again. 4. Read a book.Choose from classic literature, science fiction or personal development books and give your brain a boost. Pick up a novel before your next flight or vacation. On top of the cerebral benefits, the escapism that comes from reading can be very relaxing. Reading helps you exercise your cognitive skills and increase your vocabulary. Do it regularly and youll be amazed at the information you absorb, which will make you a more interesting conversationalist. 5. One-cup-manship.Swilling coffee could be the perfect accompaniment to the cryptic crossword. Austrian researchers measuring brain activity found short-term memory and concentration improved after consuming 100mg of caffeine – equal to an Americano. But after 40 minutes those guinea pigs were back to the dumbness levels of a twice-a-day Deal Or No Deal viewer. 6. Engage in a debate.A lively discussion can be invigorating. As long as you avoid letting it digress into an argument, you can have a lot of fun debating the pros and cons of an issue with a friend or colleague. Playing with your brain stimulates blood flow and strengthens the connections (synapses) between nerve cells in the brain. Youll practice your quick thinking skills, logic and creativity. And developing convincing theories on the spot will help you in your career and in your personal relationships. 7. Grab the Brainbox 360 controller.Believe it or not, playing certain video games can actually be good for your health. Youll develop stronger visual skills and make decisions 85% faster than non-gamers, say experts from the University of Rochester, New York. Gamers can read the newspaper, recognize a scene or pick out facial features faster in between fragging killer aliens. 8. Subscribe to a daily newsletter.Make the most out of your web surfing. Whether its a word of the day, quote of the day or this day in history newsletter, receiving new information each day will add data to the hard drive in your head. The mental stimulation will increase your comprehension skills. The additional knowledge will also make you sound more worldly and intelligent. 9. Curry favours.Tuck into a Ruby Murray tonight to clear the mental cobwebs. Scientists from University of California discovered that curcumin a yellow-coloured compound found in the curry spice turmeric can slow the onset of memory loss. Small doses of curry could also help protect the brain against Alzheimers disease – at least thats the effect in rats. Curries with a yellow tinge will have the highest curcumin count. 10. Grab a cue and play pool.Rack em up, grab a cue and concentrate on your strategy. Billiard players must focus on the immediate, blocking out distractions as they plan their next moves. Strategic planning increases mental clarity. Concentrating on the immediate helps keep your mind sharp. Furthermore, this game of angles demands that players think in terms of physics, something most of us rarely do in our everyday lives. And its a brilliant way to pass the time. 11. Learn an instrument.A Stanford University research has found for the first time that musical training improves how the brain processes the spoken word. So pull out your old guitar, sign up for piano lessons, or rent a trumpet or a clarinet. Learning how to make music will stimulate your creativity. Reading music provides mental stimulation. Playing an instrument requires powers of recall as well as concentration to maintain tune and tempo. 12. Being boron.Fat-busting snacks have the added benefit of enhancing your little grey cells. British Nutrition Foundation reports show low-fat dried fruits such as dates are a good source of brain-boosting boron. Get 200g of the fruit down you a day and youre likely to score higher in motor skills than your raisin-less colleagues. 13. Fresh air golf playing.Escape to the links and spend a few hours in the fresh air counting birdies, bogeys and mulligans. Just play! It is good for your spirit and good for your brain. Golf is a social sport and a great way to network and relax at the same time. Golfers get mental stimulation using their decision-making skills as they plan stroke strategies. As the sport involves the control of repetitive movements, it instills mind-body discipline. 14. Less stressed with yoga.Yoga is more than an exercise and you might be surprised at how strenuous it can be. Beyond the physical demands that give your entire body a workout, yoga has great calming and relaxation qualities. Yoga forces you to focus on controlling all your muscles and your breathing. Youll let your worries slide away, giving your mind a rest from stress. 15. Build a miniature model.Remember the fun you had as a kid making model airplanes and cars? Recreate that by building a miniature model, it is a great way to activate your brain and keep it in good working condition. Following all those written instructions sharpens your powers of concentration. Focusing on the task at hand will also be very relaxing. Remember to keep your mental faculties in tip-top shape by giving yourself plenty of opportunities for mental stimulation; by keeping your mind active youll reap great brain-boosting benefits . __________________ "Catch on fire with enthusiasm and people will come for miles to watch you burn." Charles Wesley [...]
July 1, 2007 at 7:21 pm
rokiahiz
Actually ways to keep your brain in shape is inexhaustible. Just any activity can get your brain to work…#1 Just Stop can get your brain to work what more if you get your brain to think of some tiny teeny stuffs.
July 1, 2007 at 8:02 pm
15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape | mdgart.com
[...] read the article: http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/ [...]
July 2, 2007 at 1:37 am
roki manduca
Learn another language and use it.
July 2, 2007 at 8:05 am
Drainedge Link Tank » Today’s Links
[...] 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape – The Ririan Project [...]
July 2, 2007 at 9:16 am
(Top 15) Ways to Keep Your Brain in Shape | Springoo
[...] http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/ [...]
July 2, 2007 at 11:40 am
<a href= SomeCoolLinks.com > » Blog Archive » 15 ways to Keep your Brain in shape
[...] http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/ [...]
July 2, 2007 at 11:55 am
EnterShort » Blog Archive » Train your brain
[...] Entnommen aus: http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/ [...]
July 2, 2007 at 1:16 pm
保持头脑灵活的方法 » 生活帮-LifeBang
[...] “保持头脑灵活的方法”－来自Ririan Project [...]
July 3, 2007 at 3:35 am
保持头脑灵活的15个方法
[...] 来源于 “http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/” [...]
July 3, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Max2007
Hi
I think these will do anything to keep the brain in shape, My father did most of these and still came down with Alzheimer’s. He has 2 masters degrees also. I also doubt that curry spice turmeric will slow down Alzheimers, at least I don’t think that turmeric is FDA approved.
July 11, 2007 at 8:53 am
Ruby Object Oriented » Engage in a debate
[...] http://ririanproject.com/2007/06/12/15-extra-ways-to-keep-your-brain-in-shape/ Filed under: 转贴 — axgle @ 6:02 pm [...]
July 18, 2007 at 3:02 am
保持头脑灵活的方法
[...] “保持头脑灵活的方法”－来自Ririan Project [...]
July 18, 2007 at 11:44 am
My Own Space … » Blog Archive » 15 extra ways to keep your brain healthy
[...] Do read Ririan’s article which explains these 15 ways of keeping ones brain in shape in more detail. [...]
July 20, 2007 at 6:48 am
Gray
I need to make time for meditation, and this post provided me some inspiration. Thanks mate.
July 20, 2007 at 12:26 pm
Is the Brain on your Mind? « this time ~ this space
[...] Weirdscience has posted a very interesting article called A Teensy Brain that I encourage you to read. Doctors discovered that a 44 year-old man with an abnormally tiny brain actually lives a very normal life, despite his brain size.There’s also an article I came across this week called 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape I would like to recommend. If you nurture your mind, body and spirit, your time will expand. You will gain a new perspective that will allow you to accomplish much more. — Brian Koslow [...]
July 21, 2007 at 7:24 pm
(Top 15) Ways to Keep Your Brain in Shape | Hourlylaff
[...] This post has 127 Views Email This Post Bookmark on del.icio.us PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TODAY! If you enjoyed this post, please support us bysubscribing! [...]
July 22, 2007 at 5:50 pm
Mark’s Daily Apple » Blog Archive » 8 Essential Aging Hacks
[...] Everyone’s into hacks: life hacks, brain hacks, productivity hacks, tech hacks, budget hacks, house hacks. I’m into aging hacks. Let us hack. [...]
July 25, 2007 at 11:20 am
Brain Fitness: 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape - 99Tangents
[...] Here at 99Tangents, we’re very fond of brain fitness. And The Ririan Project has a great list of ways to keep your brain fit and healthy: [...]
August 5, 2007 at 9:36 pm
15 Ways to Keep Your Brain in Shape « Life Lists
[...] This article was first published at Riran Project. [...]
August 7, 2007 at 5:55 pm
weekend Reader |
[...] 6. RirianProject has two very interesting post worth checking out. 27 effective power tips and 15 extra ways to keep your brain in shape. (My pick of the week) [...]
August 25, 2007 at 5:33 am
David B. Bohl at SlowDownFAST.com
Excellent suggestions. I’d add this one: Give someone a call. There’s often nothing that stirs the mind and gets the creative juices flowing better than interacting with another of our species.
August 27, 2007 at 6:25 am
Build Brain Power with these 21 Resources | Pick the Brain
[...] 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain in Shape (ririanproject.com) [...]
August 28, 2007 at 8:32 am
Niedzielne linki « Doodge’owy przemyślnik
[...] 15 Extra Ways to Keep Your Brain In Shape – wszyscy wiemy, że sport to zdrowie, że warto pracować nad swoją kondycją. A jak dbać o umysł? [...]
September 15, 2007 at 3:32 pm
stevedavis.com.au » Blog Archive » Online In Sites on fiveAA, Sunday, July 01, 2007
[...] Personal Development with the Ririan Project The Ririan Project is about creating a new life, creating a brand new life that represents maximum achievement and inner peace, a life that has balance in all it’s areas. Personal development is hard work, so don’t look for shallow quick fixes. Instead here you will learn practical ideas to make important changes in your life, both big and small, so you can get your life on track and start living up to your true potential. My name is Ririan, and I am a student in Bucharest, Romania. I read books, blogs and websites about productivity, personal development, health, nutrition, leadership and GTD. And while you may not have the same obsessive passion for personal development that I do, I hope that I can share my own personal experiences that will help you make steps towards creating a better life, day by day. 15 Extra Ways [...]
October 13, 2007 at 6:00 pm
剑痞忆秋年 » Blog 存档 » 保持头脑灵活的方法
[...] “保持头脑灵活的方法”－来自Ririan Project [...]
December 2, 2007 at 1:07 am
diareeplaibra
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting! Look for some my links:
February 9, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Lacides Enrique Orozco Romerin
Excellent tips. I am a colombian pediatrician, and I know that the more you use your brain, your mental capacity will improve.Your “brain muscle” will be stronger when you are exercising your brain cells daily.Thanks for those excellent tips.The Supreme Builder bless you.
March 20, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Lacides Enrique Orozco Romerin
Excellent tips. Thanks .
March 20, 2008 at 9:45 pm
diareeplaibra
I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well.
March 23, 2008 at 8:32 pm
arune
good one…….!!!
July 6, 2010 at 1:31 am
fifa
thats very intresting things to hear, thank u!
July 20, 2010 at 2:59 pm