In today’s tech-driven business world, it is important to think on your feet, stay focused and be creative. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, every thought you have is a brain cell. The more you think, the more cells you use and the faster your brain becomes until you reach a point where your cells cannot keep up with your thoughts.
So how can you keep your cell cells in shape to boost your brain power capacity?
Start your day with a morning jog
A morning jog can not only wake you up and boost your brain power, it also helps you think faster, work smarter and stay focused. In fact, according to research conducted by Stanford University, when people complete the aerobic exercise at least three times a week, they’re able to remember things better, solve problems faster and think in a more creative way.
Take a Deep Breath
Source: mymicrobiome.info
Before you get started with a task, take a few moments to breathe deeply and relax your mind. This can help to quiet your inner monologue and center yourself to get more done from the start. In addition, deep breathing can have benefits for your physical health and reduce stress levels which may prevent you from having an optimal mindset for getting work done.
Keep a to-do list
There is nothing wrong with the old-fashioned way of keeping a list of things you need to do. A piece of paper is a valuable tool in the productivity game. Keep your list in a place where you see it or grab it every day as you head out the door. Don’t be tempted to be a hero and try to remember everything. If you forget just one thing, it can throw off your entire day, and then you’re not productive at all.
Your daily to-do list for today should be manageable enough for you to accomplish without having any crises along the way.
Sleep Early
Source: thedacare.org
You’ve probably heard that sleep is important. It is. But have you ever wondered why?
Well, getting enough sleep refreshes your brain and improves your ability to remember what you learned the day before. It’s a simple concept, but being well-rested can make a big difference in how quickly and efficiently you’re able to complete tasks.
The latest research shows that sleep helps us learn. In fact, the brain is most receptive to new information during the deep, or slow-wave, phase of sleep, which occurs when the body is completely still for about five minutes.
In order for your brain to commit new information to memory during slow-wave sleep, however, it’s important that you’re well-rested.
Disconnect from technology
We are all guilty of checking our smartphones every 5 minutes. But what if your phone is preventing you from completing your tasks?
According to a study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, it takes an average of 25 minutes to refocus completely, after an interruption. And the more distracted you get, the longer it will take you to get back in “the zone.” It’s common sense that if you want to get stuff done quickly and effectively, you need to disconnect from all distractions. This means putting away your mobile phone and not even glancing at it every 5 minutes.
Play online games
Source: nbcnews.com
You might not be aware of it, but playing a game will actually help you improve your brain power. When you play a strategic game, like a puzzle game, it can help you train your brain to think quickly and stay focused. Here are some suggestions for games that will sharpen your mind:
- Math Nerd. In just 2 minutes, this game by calculators.org, may put you to the test, so get ready to think fast! If you like games that make you think, such as Sudoku and other puzzles, this one’s for you. So, if you want to boost your brain power and get better at math games, check this one out! It’s free.
- Memory games. Memory games test your ability to memorize things, while also stimulating parts of the brain responsible for problem-solving and planning.
- Word puzzles. Games like scrabble challenge your vocabulary and grammar skills, which in turn helps you think more creatively and strategically.
- Visual-spatial games. Games that involve visual skills will help you improve your concentration levels, as well as boost your memory.
Meditation
Meditation is one of the best things you can do for your brain. It keeps you focused and helps you think clearly. By meditating on a regular basis, you will improve your concentration and be able to solve tough problems in no time.
Meditation is something that many people struggle with when they first start, but it’s really quite simple. The best way to meditate is to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. Then, close your eyes and focus on relaxing every muscle in your body. When your muscles are relaxed, let your mind go blank and meditate on nothingness.
You should start off with just a couple of minutes, but as you become more experienced with meditation, gradually work up to 10 minutes or longer.
Drink more water
Source: medicalnewstoday.com
Why is this important? Well, we’ve all experienced that overworked feeling. When we are over-tired and feel pressured to perform well it’s common to lose concentration and focus. Another symptom of a tired brain is that we lose patience. The optimal amount of water you should drink every day is 64 ounces (two liters) according to brain fitness expert, neuroscientist Dr. Abhisheck Datta. Drinking more water helps regulate our metabolism and also keeps us mentally sharp.
Listen to audiobooks during work breaks
Audiobooks can help you enrich your life and boost your productivity at work. If you’re a type-A personality who wants to take a break from the demands of your job, listen to a book instead of listening to music or podcasts. You’ll have some valuable learning time and can quickly get back to work once the audiobook is done. Besides, there’s nothing like the sound of a good book to drown out ambient noise (which is particularly important when working from home) and keep you focused during your work breaks.
