How To Boost Brain Function, Memory, And Focus
Whether you’re looking to boost brain function, improve alertness and performance, or sharpen your memory and focus, these tips can help.
A good memory relies on your brain’s health and vitality. Whether you’re seeking to improve your memory and focus or looking to preserve and strengthen your brain function as you’re getting older, there’s a lot you can do to boost your mental performance.
When it comes to brain function, the old saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” just isn’t true.
Even as you age, your brain has an amazing ability to adapt and evolve. This brain capability is referred to as neuroplasticity.
Scientists have discovered that the brain may build new neural pathways, modify old connections, and adapt and react to new stimuli.
So let’s take a look over the best scientific recommendations for increasing brain function, memory, and focus.
Tips To Help Boost Brain Function
Here are a few tips to keep you mentally sharp:
1. Try New Things
You can keep your brain healthy with the most simple and mundane things:
- Learning to cook something new;
- Traveling to a new country;
- Learning to play a new instrument;
- Start painting, knitting, or woodworking;
- Even learning the rules of a new board game will stimulate your brain.
So when we are creating new skills throughout our lives, this will keep the brain healthy because it constantly creates new connections between new cells.
Just think of it in a simpler way: you can easily boost brain function by doing new activities and learning new things.
The more you provoke your brain intellectually, the more neural circuits are used. Next time you find yourself in a new situation, environment, or just new to doing a task at work, go for it.
Stimulate the brain cells in a brand new way, because the more brain circuits you have, the lesser chance there is for any neurodegenerative diseases to manifest.
2. Eat Foods That Promote Brain Health
Improve your brain health not just by learning new skills or aptitudes, but by eating brain-boosting foods too.
Our brain uses around 20% of the body’s calories, so it is important to fuel the body with healthy foods, packed with nutrients.
Antioxidants reduce inflammation and any cellular stress that is connected with neurodegenerative disorders and brain aging. So make sure to eat berries regularly and treat yourself to dark chocolate from time to time.
Omega 3 fatty acids are good for repairing and building brain cells. These include nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts), sunflower seeds, and oily fish (tuna, salmon, herring, sardines, etc.).
Since you need concentration and focus throughout the day, drink a cup of coffee in the morning. It also helps induce a bowel movement.
Other foods that boost brain function include:
- Avocados;
- Eggs;
- Broccoli;
- Soy products;
- Whole grain;
- And kale.
As long as you have a healthy and balanced diet that includes the above-mentioned foods, your brain is good to go.
3. Take Brain-Boosting Supplements
Also known as nootropics, brain-boosting supplements are natural medications that help boost brain function.
Many nootropics have been shown to improve memory, creativity, motivation, alertness, focus, and overall cognitive performance.
They may also help to slow the aging process of our brains.
Some of the best nootropic supplements to help improve your brain function include:
- Resveratrol;
- Fish oils;
- Caffeine;
- Creatine;
- Ginkgo Biloba;
- Bacopa Monnieri, and more.
4. Challenge Your Mind With Brain Games
Puzzle and board games can challenge your mind, boost your memory, and improve overall brain function. And, let’s face it, it is so much fun to play board games.
Here are a few games that are perfect for a brain challenge:
- Crosswords: maybe it is not a new game for you, but it is an ideal brain challenge that accesses memory and the knowledge you learn over time; you can play crosswords both online and offline.
- Sudoku: this game will rely on your short-term memory, you need to plan ahead the numbers you will use in the game; it will help you to improve short-term memory and concentration.
- Jigsaw;
- Quizzes;
- Chess;
- Strategy games;
- Solitaire, and a lot more.
Find a game that works for you just by trying out a few brain game apps online. Or you can stay offline by doing crosswords or playing chess or sudoku.
5. Stay Active
While brain games help boost brain function, this does not eliminate the necessity for daily exercise.
Regular physical activity keeps your mind sharp. It improves brain oxygenation and lowers the risk of memory-related illnesses.
Exercise also boosts the production of brain chemicals while decreasing stress hormones.
Most notably, it promotes neuroplasticity by increasing growth hormones and generating new neural connections.
Brain-boosting exercises include:
- Morning aerobic exercises;
- Baseball, tennis, darts, bowling, or any physical activity that requires hand-eye coordination;
- Meditation and yoga;
- Tai chi, etc.
The Takeaway
You may use the natural potential of neuroplasticity at any age to boost brain function, acquire new knowledge faster, and just improve your memory and focus.
Try these simple tips and constantly feed your brain with new information and challenges to keep it healthy and sharp.
