Five ways to improve your brain power
According to The New Scientist our minds naturally start to deteriorate when we reach the age of 40. Usually the changes are gradual and they don't impact too much of the brain, however you may find it more difficult to come up with name of people and to recall numbers and memories. This is the beginning of a gradual decline that will continue until the brain reaches dementia for most people. Dementia is not preventable and it will happen to 40-50 percent of the population. To keep your brain power while you still have it, follow these 5 tips:
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Tip # 1 - Talk to your doctor
If you notice any changes in the way you normally recall things, it is time to talk to your doctor. They may be able to provide you with some medications that help to stimulate the brain. Modanfinil is the most-popular memory-loss medication on the market. It is used to help individuals that suffer from narcolepsy. Modanfinil is great for individuals that want to stay awake. The drug actually causes the body to stay awake for periods of 90 hours. You can still get your regular 8 hours of sleep while you are on the drug but this will help you avoid dosing off daily in the middle of staff meeting.
The older you get, the more memory problems you will be prone to having. This will require monthly or quarterly doctor visits to make sure everything is running properly. Typically doctors always prescribe a healthy exercise routine and balanced diet for their patients that are starting to experience memory loss and concentration problems.
Tip # 2 - Change your diet
What you eat will affect the way your brain functions. If you drink 3 or more caffeinated beverages, your brain will no doubt be on a major "high". This type of dieting is not safe for the brain and for the body. There are small things you can do to boost your brain power, start by eating breakfast. Studies have proven that individuals that eat breakfast daily are more alert and aware during the workday. Some of the best foods for the brain include toast, beans, vegetables, fruits, and meats. Diets need to be high in protein as this helps to regulate the blood sugar and metabolism. Look for foods that are packed with Vitamin B as this helps to produce energy.
Tip # 3 - Music
Music is a great way to memory and concentration. Several studies have been done on the effects of music and they have concluded that listening to music will improve people's mathematical and spatial reasoning abilities. The trick lies in the type of music you listen to. Classical music like Beethoven and Mozart help stimulate the brain to improve its reasoning ability. Listening to other types of music like hard rock, pop, and R & B don't actually promote reasoning. In fact, these types of music selections actually over-stimulate the brain and cause it to have difficulties with concentration.
Tip # 4 - Sleep
Your body needs time to rest and rejuvenate itself. Staying awake for too long impairs your ability to do practically everything. In fact, if you have been awake for 21 straight hours, your reasoning abilities are equal to that of someone who is legally drunk. Your body needs rest, at least 8 hours of it on a daily basis. If you find that you struggle with sleepiness during the day, take some quick power naps to re-charge your brain.
Tip # 5 - Exercise
One of the best medicines for our bodies is to get some daily exercise. Walking for 30 minutes, 3 days a week will improve your learning abilities by 15 percent. Exercise should be done on a daily basis as it releases endorphins, which help to improve our mood.
