They say knowledge is power, and it’s true: staying mentally active is like lifting mental weights – it helps keep the mind fit and strong. But with modern life often taking its toll on concentration, energy and focus, it’s simple to forget that there are ways to boost brain power naturally.
From going for daily walks out in nature to challenging oneself with an open-mind approach to learning, there are plenty of ways to naturally stimulate mental clarity without turning to stimulants or drugs.
Here are 7 Natural Ways to Boost Your Brain Power
1. Get enough sleep
One of the best things you can do for your brain is to get enough sleep. When you sleep, your brain has a chance to rest and repair itself. Research has shown that people who get enough sleep are better able to learn and remember new information.
Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep can help to improve your mood, memory, and focus.
What happens in our brains as we sleep?
The brain has always been a bit of an enigma, from its inner workings to what happens while it’s taking a break during sleep. What exactly is our brain up to while we’re catching some Zs?
Well, research suggests that our brains are actually quite busy during those hours of rest. While the exact details may be unclear, scientists agree on one thing: Sleep is essential for healthy cognitive functioning.
During sleep, the body heals and rejuvenates itself, allowing us to recharge and tackle the world with renewed vigor the next day! Not only that, but sleeping helps us process and consolidate memories while also solidifying learning by organizing it into our long-term memory.
So basically, when we dive under the covers for a much-needed slumber, our minds are engaged in anything but hibernation – they’re doing their best thinking!
2. Exercise regularly body and mind
Exercise is not only good for your body, but it’s also good for your brain. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to keep the brain healthy, and by promoting the growth of new brain cells. Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline.
Studies show that exercise can improve cognitive function and help stave off age-related cognitive decline. By stimulating the production of neurons, regular physical activity has been linked to improved memory, better problem solving abilities, and a decreased risk of dementia later in life.
Exercise also increases oxygenating blood flow throughout the body and improves concentration.
So next time you’re staring at your laptop ready to take on a difficult task or study session, try going out for a jog first – your noggin may thank you!
3. Eat a healthy diet for a healthy mind
What we eat has a direct effect on our cognitive function, and our diet can either boost or impair the functioning of our brains.
Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains not only helps to improve cognitive function, it also helps protect against age-related cognitive decline.
Eating foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, can also help to boost brain power. A diet rich in healthy fats found in olive oil, fish and nuts is essential for providing these fatty acids that are necessary for your brain to work at its best.
Additionally, high quantities of antioxidants like Vitamin E and C can help protect the body from environmental damage that can harm brain health.
Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can also provide the body with B vitamins that are important for metabolic processes that relate to the nervous system.
These components together form a supercharge combination for superior mental functioning. By incorporating them into your daily meals and snacks you’ll be boosting your brain power one plateful at a time.
4. Take brain boosting supplements
Everyone has heard of the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, but what supplements are beneficial to brain health?
Vitamin B12, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids are all nutrients that can have an incredibly positive impact on our grey matter.
- Vitamin B12 helps with the development of blood cells in the body that transport oxygen to the brain.
- Magnesium is known for its anxiety-reducing effects and helps protect against depression by regulating serotonin levels.
- Omega-3 fatty acids not only help strengthen cognitive abilities, but they also play a key role in improving overall brain functioning.
Vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acids can have many positive effects on the health of our brains.
B12 helps our bodies produce a molecule called S-adenosylmethionine, which can improve our levels of serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline to help regulate mood swings and energy – it’s like a natural pick-me-up for your brain!
Meanwhile, omega-3 fatty acids are essential for good brain health since they form components of healthy neurons. Research has shown that consuming more omega-3 rich foods such as fish, flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnuts, and spinach may reduce inflammation in the brain and improve memory and cognitive performance.
So if you want to keep your brain working its best, try adding some vitamin B12 and omega-3 fatty acid rich foods into your diet!
5. Drink green tea
Whether you use it to start your day with a bang or take a mid-afternoon breather, there’s no denying the rejuvenating power of a hot cup of green tea. But the benefits don’t stop there!
Recent studies have shown that drinking green tea can significantly improve our mental well-being and cognitive function. A compound in green tea called ‘L-theanine’ has been proven to have substantial relaxing effects on the brain, regulating stress levels without making you feel drowsy, as well as improving alertness and concentration.
Green tea contains a compound called EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate), a catechin, which is a natural antioxidant. This has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function.
Furthermore, it defends our neurons from cellular decay, which can help us fight off age-related factors like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Looks like the old adage was right: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
6. Stimulating your mind will boost your brain power naturally
Keeping your mind active and engaged can also help to boost brain power. Challenging your mind can help to improve memory and prevent age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, learning new skills or taking up a new hobby can also help to keep your mind sharp as you age.
Learning new things, reading, and challenging ourselves with games can be incredibly beneficial for our brain power. By straining our minds to go the extra mile and learn something new, or to challenge ourselves with a concept just beyond our capabilities, we give our brains room to grow.
Reading comes with so many benefits – from fueling creativity to strengthening decision making skills – so why not make sure that a book is part of your daily routine? Games can also provide a mental boost by stretching problem solving muscles as well as improving fine motor skills.
Mental activities such as these, not only boost your brain power, but enhance your confidence while providing a satisfying sense of accomplishment.
Just like any other muscle in the body, the more we use our brain the stronger it gets! If you want to increase your brain’s potential, don’t forget to give it that extra bit of stimulation.
7. Boost Brain Power by Reducing Stress
Stress can be a mental energy-sucker, often leading to short-term memory loss, scattered thoughts, and decreased attention span. Yet, what most of us don’t realize is how it impedes our cognitive functions as well.
We already know that stress impairs decision making capabilities, but what if it also affects information processing, the speed at which we can retain information, the accuracy of our responses to certain tasks? Well…
Research shows that it does! higher levels of cortisol circulating in your body caused by prolonged periods of stress can result in difficulty learning new things and retaining them.
Too much stress takes a toll on brain health. Chronic stress has been linked to memory problems and an increased risk of age-related cognitive decline.
The next time you find yourself feeling frazzled or overwhelmed due to external pressures, take some time for yourself—your mind will thank you for it!
Ways to reduce stress in your life
- Meditation, yoga, and deep breathing exercises are all great ways to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Meditation has also been shown to improve memory, focus, and concentration.
- Massage has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and reduce stress levels, both of which can improve cognitive function.
- See natural remedies to reduce stress
So why not give yourself some love with a cognitive workout today? You now have seven natural ways to boost your brain power starting today.
Your brain will thank you!