WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN

No matter what your age, mental exercise has a global, positive

effect

on the brain. So, here are ways to boost your brain power:

1. Run up your brain cells.

Research suggests that people who get plenty of physical exercise

can wind up with better brains. Scientists at the Salk Institute for

Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., found that adult mice who ran

on an exercise wheel whenever they felt like it gained twice as

many new cells ,than mice who sat around all day.

So, play a sport, train for a marathon, work out with a buddy to

help keep things interesting.

Exercise your mind.

Experience new tastes and smells; try to do things with your

nondominant hand; find new ways to drive to work; travel to

new places; create art; read a classic novel; basically, do

anything you can to force yourself out of your mental ruts.

Be Curious.

Our brains are set to be curious. As we grow up and "mature"

many of us deny our natural curiosity. Let yourself be curious!

Wonder to yourself about why things are happening. Ask someone

The best way to exercise our curiosity is by asking

"Why?" Your brain will be happier and you will be amazed at how

many opportunities and solutions will show up in your life and work.

Laugh

Laughter can be like a "quick-charge" for our brain's batteries.

Laugh more, and laugh harder.

Be a fish head.

Omega-3 oils, found in walnuts, flaxseed and especially fish, have

long been known as being healthy for the heart. But recent

research suggests they're a brain booster as well, and not just

because they help the circulation system that pumps oxygen to

your head. They also seem to improve the function of the

membranes that surround brain cells, which may be why people

who consume a lot of fish are less likely to suffer depression,

dementia, even attention-deficit disorder.

Cut The Fat

Fat can reduce the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your brain, and it

may also slow down the metabolism of glucose, the form of sugar

the brain utilizes as food.

You can still get up to 30 percent of your daily calories in the form

of fat, but most of it should come from the fish, olive oil, nuts and

seeds. Whatever you do, stay away from trans fats, the hardened

oils that are abundant in crackers and snack foods.

The "Mozart Effect."

This effect has been around for a while and it really does work.

Music boosts brain power simply because it makes listeners feel

better - relaxed and stimulated at the same time - and that a

comparable stimulus might do just as well. In fact, one study found

that listening to a story gave a similar performance

Be a thinker, not a drinker.

Dont get hammered on the weekends.Study on rats suggests that

the alcohol not only damaged the rats' brains, but kept them from

repairing themselves later on - in human terms, that means you

dont expect to pass the Mensa entrance exam any time soon.

Try aroma therapy to activate your brain.

Energizers include peppermint, cypress and lemon. Relaxants:

ylang ylang, geranium and rose. A few drops of essential oils in

your bath or in a diffuser will do the trick. You can also put a drop

or two in a cotton ball or hanky and inhale. One caveat for the

workplace; make sure no-one is allergic to the oils before you use

them.

Drugs to increase brainpower.

Coffee and other drinks containing caffeine help students

consistently score higher on tests. Since caffeine restricts blood

vessels in the brain, it isn't clear what the longer-term effects may

be when it comes to your brainpower. So instead of coffee breaks

try gingko biloba and gotu kola herbal teas. Ginkgo biloba has

been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, and improve

concentration.

Remember that no matter what your age or your occupation; your

brain needs to be constantly challenged to be at its peak in terms

of performance. Whether it's doing logic puzzles, memorizing lines

or learning a new skill, keep your brain busy so it wont rust away.