12 ways to boost your brain power

By: Lauren Corbett

By choosing to improve your brain power you are helping your overall health. By making a few changes to your routine you can maximize your brain power and become mentally and physically more healthy. Here are 12 ways to start improving your body and mind:

Yoga: yoga can improve mood and concentration and may even prevent cognitive decline in older adults
Aerobic Exercise: Read books, study hard — and do jumping jacks? There’s a ton of research on the link between exercise and cognitive function. And aerobic exercise seems like an especially great way to make it to MENSA one study showed adults brain-processing speed improved after half an hour of moderate exercise.
Power Naps: For those who didn’t quite catch enough sleep last night, a power nap may be just the thing to help stay focused. It’s unclear how long the nap should last — in one study, young adults who napped for 90 minutes showed significant improvements in memory. But other research suggests even naps that last a few minutes can increase alertness. On the other hand, some scientists say naps only improve memory if they involve dreaming.
Getting Organized: Clutter may impede our ability to get stuff done. Clear the desk and the mind at the same time: An organized workspace may help improve memory and cognitive skills.
Laughter: A hearty laugh may be the key to solving a tough problem, since research suggests laughing encourages people to think more creatively.
Positive Relationships: A study of elderly Americans suggests positive relationships can help protect against memory loss. Spend some time with friends and family today to avoid forgetting their names later in life.
Â Lying Down: Perfect posture’s important — but there’s no need to stand up nice and straight. Instead, hang upside down: It’s possible that memory improves when the head hangs lower than the rest of the body. And one study found people solved anagrams faster when they were lying down than when they were standing. Researchers think certain body postures might make us more insightful.
Meditation: No one can think clearly with a mind full of worries. If the ability to sit still and silent for more than 10 seconds isn’t impressive enough, get this: Meditation helps improve memory, decision making, and attention span. Plus the more you practice meditation, the better you get at making decisions. Start off with a few minutes of meditative belly breathing to improve concentration.
Vitamins: Flintstone gummies or the kind that comes straight from fruits and veggies– may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Folic acid — found in bread, pasta, and some fortified cereals — and vitamin B12 — found in animal products like fish, eggs, and milk — are especially powerful brain protectors.
Coffee: Coffee boosts brainpower! And gives you energy! Studies suggest the caffeine in an eight-ounce cup of coffee can improve attention and short-term memory.
Learning a Second Language: Being bilingual may protect the body against Alzheimer’s — even when people learn a new language as adults. Studies show Alzheimer’s symptoms develop more slowly in bilingual speakers than in those who speak just one language.
Positive Thinking: It’s possible to get smarter, savvier, and more creative — after reading this list! Research suggests people learn more when they believe intelligence isn’t fixed. The bottom line: Believe in the brain!