Exercise Your Brain To Improve Concentration And Memory

Mental health is as important, if not more, as one's physical health. Whatever be your age,a human brain needs to be exercised regularly in order to improve upon one's concentration , memory and IQ which subsequently pays off in your grades at school, your job preferences, and your career. It is common knowledge that people who cross thirty, find that they forget things and this keeps increasing with age. Excessive stress levels and obesity also contribute to a decreased brain power. Those who cross fifty and sixty see a significant loss of brain functions. It is therefore imperative that everyone becomes aware of the necessity of boosting BRAIN POWER. The quality of life is significantly improved once your mental health is in top condition.

What Is The Brain ?

The human brain is essentially the boss of the body. It is the centre of the human nervous system, and consists of a network of nervous tissue connecting all parts of the body. Hence ,the brain is also a complex organ,very important for the proper functioning of an individual. It helps us to think, imagine, speak, plan, engage in several activities and continues to function even when we are asleep, making sure that all other organs in the body do their job. Some of them are below:

1. Regulates the body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
2. Handles physical motion such a walking, talking, sitting or standing.
3. Accepts and processes information got from hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling, touching,etc.
4. Lets us think, reason, dream and experience emotions.

Yes, it is the SUPER BRAIN !

Now, you understand why it is absolutely important for you and me to look after our brains and exercise it just as we would our whole body. It follows that the more you use a muscle, it is easy to flex it. Similarly, the more you exercise and use your brain you are bound to enjoy your life that much more and will delay the onset of ageing ,and if you are regular at it, you will see the benefits of having memory, concentration and sight, hearing until you die. Diseases such as Alzeimer's and Parkinsons need not be feared with approaching age.

It is common knowledge that your brain is on the decline with advancement in age but did you know that women become more forgetful with every successive pregnancy ?

Yes, it is possible for you to increase your brain power. You will end up with a sharper and stronger brain eventually if you follow a few simple rules regularly making a habit of each one .

1. Be stressfree for your brain to function properly.
2. Breathe deeply and exhale increasing blood flow to the brain.
3. Chew gum for atleast three minutes before any meeting or exam.
4. Listen to soft music often to relieve stress.
5. Workout regularly, for physical exercise release endorphins in the brain. It has been established that walking rather than strength training and cardio exercises boosts brain power. Even among those in their sixties and seventies, who have been couch potatoes for more than 10 years.
6. Start your day right with a healthy breakfast, including eggs, low fat dairy and whole cereal. Never skip this important meal of the day.
   
7. Eat the right brain boosting power foods such as flaxseeds, walnuts, and fish that contain omega3 fatty acids. Consume atleast 5 servings of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables everyday, including all colours and green leafy vegetables,particularly spinach,that is rich in folic acid. These are rich in antioxidants which are important to perk up the immune system.
   
8. Avoid rich and fatty foods, nicotine, alcohol that clog up the nervous system. Maintain normal weight at all times. Go on weight loss diet if necessary.
9. Learn a new language. Practice with a friend. Learning new things grows new tissue and establishes new connections in the brain.
   
10. Use your fingers to do things as the nerve endings at the tips of fingers are activated giving the brain a workout. Play a musical instrument, knit, crochet, embroider, cross stitch. Bake often where you knead the dough and roll out. Find something you have a passion for.
11. Sing a song,learn new ones with lyrics.
12. Listen to Mozart. Children that learn to play music or sing, were found to be more intelligent.
    
13. Talk meaningfully engaging in gainful conversation with people. Talk to motivate yourself as well. Talk to imaginary characters. Make a habit of asking questions,even if it is to yourself.
    
14. Laugh more often. Watch a funny movie. I know of several who like to unwind watching a comedy or a couple of Tom and Jerry cartoons ! It immediately lifts your mood and relaxes your whole self.
15. Use your non-dominant hand to do simple tasks everyday. Brush your teeth, eat with your left hand if you are right handed. This is known to produce excellent results. It is an established fact that some prominent personalities from history used both their hands to write and made remarkable contributions to the world.
16. Solve crossword puzzles, sudoku, rubiks cube or play a game of chess or checkers with a friend. These provide mental exercises that can be at once engaging, challenging and fun.
17. Memorize often called phone numbers, solve mathematical problems without the use of calculator or computer. Remember birthdays and anniversaries without the calender.
18. Whatever exercise you choose, be consistent and engage in the same activity at the same time every day for excellent results.
    
19. You can improve your concentration and memory by self massage. Right at the base of the skull in the back of the neck are located two acupressure points. Place your crossed hands behind your head with your thumbs at the sides of the neck. Next, lean your head backwards and rest it against the pressure formed by the thumbs and the index fingers. Breathe slowly taking deep breaths and exhale through the mouth. Let your whole body relax as you do this massage. Continue for about five minutes. it will improve blood circulation to the neck and relax the neck muscles.
20. Yoga and meditation calms the mind and improves brain functions.
21. Correct any postural defects as this can interfere with your overall mental and physical health. This applies to both sitting and standing.
22. Never waste time and always engage in good thinking that is productive.
23. Did you know that writing gives a boost to your brain power ? Now, you can engage in gainful writing for Hubpages . Writing down always tells your brain what is important to you and helps you recall when needed. It clarifies your thinking. It enhances your creative and analytical ability. Maintaining diaries, penning poems, journals, story writing are some examples.
24. Children can have an early start eating all the right brain foods. 10 Super Brain Foods For Your Kids will show you how.
    

Our brains have a natural ability to renew and increase capacity improving one's cognitive abilities and of course, memory and concentration. It is only a matter of having the desire to have it and then performing the exercises consistently.