For concentration, focus and good memory, fuelling your mind is as important as exercising your body. See our top 5 tips to fuel your brain and take 2021 on with a bang!
1. Brain Boosting Food
The foods you eat can improve specific mental tasks, such as memory and concentration.
These include:- Oily Fish - According to Healthline, Fatty fish is a rich source of omega-3s, a major building block of the brain. Omega-3s play a role in sharpening memory and improving mood, as well as protecting your brain against decline.
- Coffee - here at ISM, we were very excited to hear that coffee is up there with some of the best brain boosting things you can consume. This is because the two main components that make up coffee (caffeine and antioxidants) help your brain! It can increase alertness, improve your mood and sharpen your concentration. Mix that in with its glorious taste and you have yourself a win-win!
- Blueberries - Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that may delay brain aging and improve memory.
- Leafy Greens - Leafy greens, asparagus, olives, and whole grains are also full of vitamin E, which is likely to help prevent cognitive decline.
Along with dark chocolate, broccoli, seeds & nuts and many more, there are plenty of ways to fuel your brain through wonderful food! Bon-App!
2. Get Moving!
Exercise remains one of the best things you can do for your mind, body, and soul. Physical activity can benefit our brain health in several different ways.
It keeps your arteries flexible, which promotes blood flow to the brain. This, in turn, delivers more oxygen and glucose (aka, energy) so your brain can work properly. Exercise encourages new brain cells to grow, too.
3. Stump Yourself
Challenge and activate your brain. Build some furniture (hello, IKEA!), complete a 1,000 piece puzzle or become a master at bridge. Challenging your mind may have short and long-term benefits for your brain.
The Centres for Disease Prevention and Control notes that learning NEW dance moves can increase your brain’s processing speed and memory. In other words, bust a move on the dance floor and your brain will thank you.
4. Make Sure You're Catching Up On Your Sleep
We all know the feeling after having a restless nights sleep. It is hard to concentrate, you might feel "fuzzy" and your memory can be impaired. This is because poor sleep has been shown to impair brain function.
A good sleep can maximise problem-solving skills and enhance memory. Aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. Hard as it may be, consistency is key.
Formal education in any stage of life will help reduce your risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
According to Harvard Health, through research with mice and humans, scientists have found that brainy activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells, developing neurological "plasticity" and building up a functional reserve that provides a hedge against future cell loss.
Here at ISM, we offer a range of both online and virtual finance, business and leadership courses to help you fuel your brain and grow your business (and your self!) Click HERE to view a full list of the programs we offer.
