7 Ways to Train Your Brain ...

One of the most influential ways to train your brain is through Lumosity: a website with daily brain exercises that are both fun and engaging. The site focuses on: memory, speed, problem solving, attention, and flexibility. All of the training on the site is scientifically designed and you are able to personalize your cerebral workouts every day. One of the coolest features is the ability to track your progress, which ultimately creates excitement, encourages dedication, and in turn assists in amazing results!

Among many things, some of the most outstanding results of meditating every day are: an alteration of visual perception and attention; an expanded capacity for happiness; and the ability to achieve a state of oneness. Richard Davidson, who is a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discovered that years of meditation can actually increase neuroplasticity which is the brain’s ability to use experiences or the environment to create changes.

You should not only focus on exercising your brain every day but also exercising the rest of your body, too. Working out the whole body will release endorphins - in doing so, you will innately feel more at peace and filled with happiness. Happiness will encourage you to keep doing what you love to do and encourage you to persistently work out both your mind and your body every day.

What you decide to give to your body is crucial and what you decide to eat to start your day off is crucial. Proper food groups such as meats and vegetables will help your brain perform optimally. Lucky for us, ladies, chocolate can be added to this list of things to eat! Dark chocolate releases dopamine, which helps you learn faster and remember more. There are also tons of antioxidants and flavonols in dark chocolate that improve brain functions…woohoo chocolate!

Our generation is so focused on technology nowadays (I know I sound like an older person ranting) but it’s true! How many hours do you spend sitting in front of a TV catching up on Pretty Little Liars or Keeping Up With The Kardashians? Personally I don’t watch either; I’d rather watch The Big Bang Theory, Agents of Shield, or the Food Network. No matter what our favorite shows are, it’s not healthy to spend too much time in front of a screen because watching TV or spending hours on Facebook puts the brain on neutral and minimizes its activity. Try cutting out some time on Facebook or watching TV and work on a puzzle or go to the Lumosity site – it all comes down to this: how badly do you want to increase your brain power?

I know those of you still in school are probably thinking, “I already learn enough during the day, why would I want to add more to my plate?” Learning something new every day doesn’t need to be a dreadful chore – pick things that excite you and motivate you! For example, I love languages so I want to train my brain by learning Arabic, French, and Japanese. If you’ve always wanted to learn how to dance or play an instrument, now is your time! Learning new activities will become a powerful way to work your brainpower.

Now that you have a few things in mind that you want to learn, try doing these new things over and over again. Your brain will actually establish new pathways that will eventually guide you to perfect this new thing faster and better. The brain works at its best when you actively repeat something: i.e. repetition is key.

Start off implementing new habits and learning new things every day in small doses. As soon as you actively dedicate training your brain, you will feel and look better too! Be mindful of just how powerful the brain is. If you want to change your life around, it starts with training your brain to do so. How will you train your brain?

Works Cited
wikihow.com
huffingtonpost.com
lifehack.org