A human brain is said to be the most complex computer of them all, which is factually correct. In spite of there being computers that are capable of computational abilities beyond the capacity of any human brain, it is the complexity of the biological mass in our skulls that made it possible to create those same computers and control them.
There is another even more significant difference; the human brain is capable of going past its initial limits, unlike any computer hardware in existence. Today, we are going to take a look at four daily habits that could make that happen for you as well.
Sleep Well
Similar to how a laptop needs to be recharged after it has run out of juice, our brains also need at least seven hours of quality sleep every day to recharge and function at optimum levels. Keep in mind that good sleep is essential for keeping your mind sharp and because your body won’t be able to maintain healthy functions otherwise. If something is affecting the quality of your sleep in any way, be sure to address that issue as soon as possible. This is more important to the goal here than one may realize because as long as someone is not sleeping well every night, none of the other activities to boost brain activity will work as they should.
Eat Well
As we sleep at night, the brain repairs damages to itself and sends out signals across the body to do the same, wherever necessary. Therefore, depending on the kind of meals that you eat throughout your day, your brain will only have those nutrients to work with. As we are discussing intelligence boosting activities in particular, here’s a small list of the most effective natural, brain-boosting foods that you can include in your diet:
- Cauliflowers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, kale, and cabbage are all rich in minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals
- Fatty fish such as sardine, salmon, and trout are rich in omega 3 fats
- Coffee in small, healthy amounts is rich in antioxidants and directly improves cognitive abilities
- All kind of nuts, with special preference to walnuts, contain healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamin E, and improves memory and recall
- Fruits such as blueberries, guavas, and oranges are rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- Eggs are nutritious for the whole body and in particular, the brain; Acetylcholine from the choline in eggs is crucial for cognitive maintenance
- Green tea and tea in general contain L-theanine and antioxidants
Exercise Your Brain and Body
If you want to be smarter, you need to work your brain and body simultaneously. Contrary to popular belief, physical exercise has a direct impact on cognitive performance in a very positive way. You don’t necessarily have to join the gym, but maintaining a regular exercise regimen for just 20-30 minutes will do the trick for your brain and body.
As far as the brain-boosting exercises are concerned, the list next should provide enough stimulation to connect new neurons in no time:
- Play chess, it’s a proven way to boost one’s IQ
- Solve crosswords and time yourself
- Try a few math games, even if you are not good at math
- Try to solve puzzles; there are many options in the App Store and the Play Store
Not everyone is born with the same level of brainpower, but nearly everyone can get past their initial capabilities by adopting brain-boosting habits and exercises on a regular basis, followed through with the dedication required. While there are others, these three were mentioned here because they are fundamental in their profound, positive impacts on the human brain, within a relatively short time.
Photo Credit
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Contributing Author Bio
Jessica Peters
Jessica Peters is a freelance writer from Melbourne who blogs about health and fitness. Jessica is an avid traveler and regularly crosses the globe to learn about other cultures while blogging from her laptop.