Brain Power – The Only Power that Matters

Natural Ways To Boost & Sharpen Your Mental Ability

Having trouble finding where you left your mobile phone or car keys? Can’t remember the name of the acquaintance, you met just last week? Can’t name the new restaurant you dined at? A tune stuck in your head, but you can’t identify it?

In short, feeling scatterbrained? You know what, you are not the only one.

As humans grow older, our brains tend to become ‘noisy’. It becomes difficult to register and recall new information. But, that doesn’t mean reciting the name of every cricket captain of team India (an activity that you relished so much in your childhood) is beyond your grasp.

For several years, neuroscientists believed that the human brain attained maximum growth in childhood and after that, it was a gradual decline. Enter Neuroplasticity! This theory states that the more you use your mind and test it, the higher its performance. Yes, modern science now believes that training and increasing your brain power is possible at any age.

That doesn’t mean you have to pop those suspicious sounding pills on the market, in the vain hope that it’ll boost your brain power. Scroll down to check out top natural ways to boost memory and improve the cognitive abilities of your brain.

Put on your Quizzing Caps

The brain is technically a muscle. Just like your biceps and triceps, exercising it regularly is the best way to keep it in top gear. Try simple brain games like Sudoku, Scrabble, crosswords or even try your hand at trivia night hosted at your local café.

Additionally, timing yourself and beating your previous scores is a great way to boost positive intellectual engagement and processing speed. Several studies state that people, who are cognitively active, don’t lose their memory as they age.

So, keep your brain on its toes, by quizzing, solving puzzles and more.

Eat Right

Fact: The brain accounts for 2% of your total body weight but consumes nearly 20% of your daily energy intake. Yep, the brain is an energy monster, and you need to feed it right to keep it functioning at optimal levels.

Stay hydrated throughout the day. Dehydration makes you feel groggy and confused. Some excellent foods to boost brain power include fish, green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, whole grains, nuts, eggs, tomatoes, berries, avocados, seeds.

Add Ayurveda to your Plate

Ayurvedic herbs like Shankpushpi, Brahmi and Ashwagandha help in preventing nerve cell damage, thereby boosting memory functions and improving attention and concentration.

Sniff up with Aromatherapy

Another easy but effective way to keep the mechanical gears in your head whirring is to consider aromatherapy. Essential oils help in removing the cobwebs from your brain and improve your mental clarity. Rosemary helps you to stay alert, while peppermint reduces mental fatigue and enables you to focus.

You can either apply the essential oils directly on your forehead or inhale it with diffusers.

Get Moving

According to new research in Neurogenesis, you can create new brain cells every time you exercise! Yes, exercise does more than help you stay in shape. When you workout, there is an increase in the blood flow to your brain, which helps in keeping it sharp. Exercise helps in enlarging the hippocampus, the part of your brain that is associated with long-term memory.

Run, walk, lift weights, cycle or dance – do something for at least 30 – 45 minutes five times a week.

Get your Yoga Gear On

Yoga is the whole deal – it tones your body, makes you feel relaxed while clearing your mind. Asanas like Padmasana, Bhujangasana, Sarvangasana, Padahastasana, Halasana, and Paschimottanasana sharpen memory, boost blood supply to the brain, improving the overall health of your grey matter.

Meditate

According to a study by Psychiatry Research, meditation helps in increasing the grey matter of your brain. This not only boosts learning and memory but also enhances other attributes like introspection, compassion, and self-awareness.

Additionally, this study also found that meditation has the potential to reduce the size of the amygdala, the area of the brain that controls stress and anxiety. Mindful meditation helps in keeping neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Dementia at bay.

Get Adequate Sleep

Lack of sleep impacts everything including your memory. Got a big meeting at work? Don’t stay up late into the night preparing for it. Only when you sleep, your body revitalizes the connections between neurons.

Think of it like this way – the vital maintenance operations occur when you are in slumber. While most studies insist on eight hours of sleep every night, no magical number works for all. Go by what your body says.

Quality sleep is the best way to rejuvenate and recharge your mind, improving your mental prowess.

Do New Things

Don’t let your brain fall into a rut by doing the same things over and over again. Present it with some new challenges every day. Take a longer route to work, read a section of the paper that you usually don’t read, inculcate new hobbies, learn a new language or try new recipes.

When you do something out of the ordinary, you restructure your brain, helping build new neural pathways that boost brain power.

Relax, Take it Easy

Yes, you need to relax and de-stress to keep your brain in top shape. If your mind is always racing, it’s bound to rob you of your peaceful slumber at night, making you anxious the next day, so that your brain doesn’t have the power to absorb new information.

Stress not only takes a toll on your physical health but also affects your mental well-being by destroying healthy brain cells. Laugh out loud; unwind by watching your favorite TV shows, reading a book, or whatever works for you.

Above all, Believe in the Power of Positivity

People can move mountains when they believe that they can do it. Start by believing in the power of your brain, use the techniques listed above, and boost your mental prowess. Above all, believe that you can do it!

“Unleash the Potential of your Fantastic, Elastic Brain.”

References:

• https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21099/7-natural-ways-to-boost-your-brain-power-sharpen-your-mind.html

• https://blog.mindvalley.com/increase-brain-power/

• https://www.inlifehealthcare.com/2014/06/27/how-to-increase-brain-power-naturally/

• https://www.lifehack.org/528156/twelve-natural-ways-enhance-brain-power

• https://food.ndtv.com/health/how-to-increase-brain-power-14-ways-to-train-your-brain-1411593

• http://www.ba-bamail.com/content.aspx?emailid=20397

• https://greatist.com/happiness/47-ways-boost-brainpower-now

• https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/04/24/memory-improvement-tricks.aspx

• Image – https://wallpaperaccess.com/brain-power#google_vignette