If you’re writing an essay, brainstorm what you want to cover in that essay before you get to the nitty-gritty of topic sentences and thesis statements. You don’t even have to use anything you come up with in your essay. The act of brainstorming will simply help jump-start your brain.
When you’re breathing make sure that you breathe into the bottom of your lungs. Think of it like a balloon expanding, first your belly, then your chest, then your neck. When you let the breath go, it will go in the opposite direction, neck, chest, then belly.
It’s also a good idea to spend no more than an hour on something before switching to something else for a while. If you haven’t finished that something in an hour, set aside time later to work on it some more.
Remind yourself to laugh, especially if it is just before that big test or writing that final essay. Put a funny background on your computer, or keep a funny joke nearby as you study. Refer back to it occasionally, to stimulate a laugh.
Try foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like walnuts and salmon (although eat this sparingly because of the possibility of a higher mercury content), ground flaxseed, winter squash, kidney and pinto beans, spinach, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, and soybeans. Omega-3 fatty acids improve blood circulation, and boost the function of neurotransmitters, which help your brain process and think. Foods high in magnesium are important (such as chickpeas or garbanzo beans) because they help with message transmission in your brain. Scientists have linked a diet higher in blueberries with quicker learning, better thinking and better memory retention. Choline, which occurs in vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, has the potential to help with the growth of new brain cells, as well as boosting intelligence longer in older adults. Complex carbohydrates give your brain and body energy over a longer period of time. Try eating food like whole-wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, high-fiber cereal, lentils, and whole
Dance and martial arts are especially good ways to boost your brainpower, because they stimulate a wide variety of brain systems, including organization, coordination, planning, and judgment. You’re having to move your body (and various parts of it, too) in synch with the music.
Find a place to sit quietly, even if only for 15 minutes. Focus on your breathing. Say to yourself as you breathe “breathing in, breathing out. " Whenever you find your mind wandering, gently draw it back to focusing on your breath. As you get better at meditating, notice what is going on around you, feel the sun on your face, notice the sound of the birds and the cars outside, smell your roommate’s pasta lunch. You can also do mindfulness activities — when you’re having a shower, focus on the feel of the water, the smell of your shampoo, etc. This will help keep your mind attentive and help reinforce your mindfulness to the moment.
Again meditation is key in helping to manage stress, even if you take only 5 or 10 minutes out of your day to do it, that will help your brain. Also, deep breathing can help, as it will cut down on your immediate stress and alleviate your anxiety.
Learning a language stimulates lots of different parts of your brain and helps make new neuro-pathways. It takes mental effort and will help expand your knowledge base. You could take up cooking, or knitting, or learning an instrument, or juggling. As long as you’re enjoying yourself and learning new things your brain will be happier and function better! Enjoyment is an important part of learning and maintaining your brain’s health and boosting its power. If you like what you’re doing there is more likelihood that you’ll continue to be engaged and to learn.
