No matter whether it’s taking a nap or even listening to certain types of music, everyone has their own different methods of trying to boost their cognitive thinking and relax their mind while at work. Especially late in the day or close to the weekend, we’re always trying to go above and beyond and really pull out everything we’ve got to finish a task while our minds are alert and awake. However, the answers to finding that extra bit of brain power are actually very simple. Eating and drinking the right things, combined with easy activities, means you can improve your memory and concentration in no time.
Here’s how you can do it.
Exercise and yoga
We all know exercise is good for the body, but it also helps the mind. Exercising helps to increase blood flow to the hippocampus, which is a part of the brain responsible for retaining and making new memories. Any sport or intense yoga is great for coping with stress, learning new facts, and improving memory. So if you’ve got the time in your lunch break or before work, a bit of jogging or stretching is a great idea.
Watch what you eat and drink
Like exercising, what we eat and drink doesn’t just help our bodies, but can also improve brain function. Coffee, blueberries, and eggs have a lot of benefits for the mind, and foods rich in omega-3 are great for creating new brain cells, lowering risk of age-related mental diseases, and even ward off depression. Fatty fish like trout, salmon, and sardines are full of omega-3, although you can also take omega-3 supplements if you’re a vegetarian.
If you’re going down the supplement route anyway, you can also consider a nootropic to help increase cognitive function and improve memory and focus. This review from Max Hug explains how it all works and whether nootropics might be for you.
Write down your thoughts and experiences
Writing something down on paper always helps ingrain it into our minds much better, but you can do this for nearly everything in your life! If you’re working on a major task, write down everything you need to work on using a pen and paper. You’d be surprised how much better you’ll remember things. You could also keep a daily diary, record your dreams the next morning, or even write down your thoughts on a movie, TV show, book, new song from your favourite band, etc. Doing this helps you to remember things much later and discuss it with other people as well.
Take up some new hobbies and interests
When you’ve finished work, there’s nothing better for the mind than to learn something new and refreshing. A second language, musical instrument, or even knitting or cooking… whatever your interests, keep adding new things for your mind and keep those neurons firing. Even an old school video game like Tetris is a fun and engaging way to keep your brain active and alert. So dig out your old Game Boy or download an app for your phone. It’s much better than scrolling away on Facebook or Instagram at home!
There’s also crosswords, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles or board games like Trivial Pursuit if you want to try something away from a screen. Just keep giving your brain new information and challenge yourself every day.
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