We all feel it at some point in our lives. Some more often than others. Your brain is stuck. Tired and in need of some major help! You need inspiration for a new creative project, or a way to solve a management problem, or a strategy for increasing sales, but you keep coming up short? You may be able to get things flowing again with a few daily activities proven to increase brain function.
Go for a walk.
Regular exercise helps improve thinking and memory retention.
Indulge in a hobby.
Learning something new requires complex thinking and that engages the nucleus basalis, the part of your brain responsible for paying attention and consolidating connections. An hour a day may be enough to strengthen your brain if you focus on learning through that whole hour.
Eat brain food.
Like your body, your brain needs healthy and nutrient-rich foods to increase productivity. The specific nutrients it needs are omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. Omega-3 fatty acids improve mental concentration and fight memory loss.
So where do you find them? Omega-3 fatty acids are in walnuts, eggs, pecans, leafy greens, oily cold-water fish such as herring, salmon, and trout, and oils such as flaxseed oil and chia oil. As for flavonoids, you can find them in coffee, berries, leafy greens–and dark chocolate.
Find time to clear your mind.
Using relaxation techniques throughout the day helps your brain by giving it a rest. Meditation, even for just a few minutes, is especially beneficial. By meditating, your mind can focus on relaxing and letting all worries and problems escape. Your mind is coming up with ideas, thoughts, and concerns every day, and sometimes you need to clear your head of all anxieties.
Add any of these activities–or all four–to your daily routine, and let the ideas flow! I personally, like the eat more chocolate idea!
Make it a great day!