Medical and scientific advancements have helped us live longer and healthier lives. Though there’s still a long way to go, neuroscience has made something fantastic developments in brain science.
Scientific and technological advancements have aided researchers to study and understand brain functionalities. For example, science has found that our brain love foods rich in antioxidants, like, kale, nuts, blueberries and others.
As a result, a Mediterranean diet can help in boosting brain functionalities because it’s enriched with fruits, whole grains, red wine and fish.
Also, did you know we can also retrain our brain for happiness with constant smiling.
Here are five more rituals that can help develop new cells in your brain, boost cognition and ensure higher clarity:
Etienne van der Walt – a renowned neurologist – says an active body provides a healthy mind.
Various types of bodily exercises can benefit the growth of our brain. Exercises increase heart rate and ensure a faster pumping of oxygen to our brain – which leads to an enhanced development of new brain cells. New brain cells boost creativity, development of new neural pathways and sources of communication.
Studies show that teens who do aerobic exercise — like walking and swimming — have bigger brains, especially one part, the basal ganglia, which helps you pay attention, even through another ho-hum chemistry class.
Give yourself accolades on every win – small or big
It is crucial to congratulate yourself for every success you achieve, says the Director of Persuasive Tech Lab of Stanford University BJ Fogg.
Our brain is incapable of differentiating between perceived progress and actual progress. Both setbacks and achievements cause emotional effects. So, start with a productive morning, as it will make you happy, increase energy levels and help in curbing depression and anxiety levels.
Teresa Amabile, from HBS, recently tested this and found what she refers to as “The progress principle”:
“Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work. And the more frequently people experience that sense of progress, the more likely they are to be creatively productive in the long run. … everyday progress—even a small win—can make all the difference in how [people] feel and perform.”
Sit in an upright position because it helps in boosting our mood and energy levels. Furthermore, when you sit up straight, you increase your confidence level. This theory is backed by Amy Cuddy’s research. Seated in a slouched position signals the brain to experience low power and hopelessness. Keeping a check of your posture – now and then – will prevent you to feel less powerful.
Our body is made of muscles. And we need to use them, in order to remain active. Same goes for our brain muscles. Stretching our brain muscles helps in stimulation. You can do so by solving puzzles, learning or speaking a new language, learning to play an instrument, etc. Such exercises boost our cognitive prowess and help us to develop new ideas.
Don’t keep your phone close to your head when sleeping
We all hear new things every day related to smartphones. Some are true, while a few are absurd and fake to the core. However, research cites that there’s some truth about phones and why we should not sleep with them close to our heads. The blue light emitting from the phone’s screen changes or interrupts our sleep patterns. And a lack of a deep sleep prevents us from getting rid of beta-amyloid that are toxic in nature.
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