7 Tips for a Sharper Mind
The brain is the most complex organ in our body. For every task we perform, from simple to complex, we rely on this organ. Therefore, it makes sense to keep training your brain. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep your mind sharp. From simple motor and cognitive exercises to eating healthy foods and taking supplements, read our tips below.
Train Your Brain
Stimulating your brain is not only important for memory and staying sharp, but it's also enjoyable! By reading, playing games, solving complex problems, and continuing to learn, you keep your brain sharp.
Get Moving!
Yes, here it is again, the obvious one, but there is ample scientific evidence showing that sufficient exercise is crucial to slow down cognitive decline associated with ageing. During exercise, we stimulate the release of substances essential for the development, growth, and functioning of brain cells (neurotrophins). You don't need to run a marathon to benefit from these wonderful neurotrophins. By exercising for 30 minutes a day (go outside, walk, cycle, take a stroll during your lunch break), you can reap the benefits for your brain.
Nourish Your Brain Cells
Your brain functions optimally with a wide variety of nutrients, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, as well as a broad diversity of vitamins and minerals. With a varied and colourful diet, eaten in moderation, you can prevent obesity and keep your brain sharp. In particular, Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, and minerals such as magnesium and iron seem to contribute to a well-functioning brain. Not smoking and drinking also help with this mission.
Get Enough Rest
Morning and evening people do exist, as do differences in the number of hours of sleep a person needs on average. The biological clock – regulated in the hypothalamus – is not the same for everyone. An evening person gets tired later than a morning person. But that still means that sufficient sleep for your specific needs (or biorhythm) is important for a well-functioning brain. During deep sleep, your body recovers, and in the REM phase (dream phase), your brain has time to process daily events and emotions.
Seek (Together) the Challenge
Mind games like sudoku, chess, solving riddles, puzzles, etc., keep the brain sharp. As does learning new skills. Learning a new language or honing your skills as a photographer is mentally more challenging than watching your favourite series. For instance, drawing enhances your cognitive functions, even if you're not Rembrandt van Rijn. But also, take on a challenge with someone else! People who are socially active have a lower risk of mental disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's. Escape with your partners in crime from an escape room or dust off the chessboard. Perhaps you are the next Beth Harmon (The Queen's Gambit)?
Switch Off Your Brain
You can't literally switch off your brain, but all that socialising can make you 'people tired.' It's time for a moment with just yourself and your brain, for example, during a meditation session. Mindfulness has gained significant ground in recent years, and it's not surprising. The impact of spending time in silence is enormous. It can lead to greater mental flexibility, improved attention, focus, empathy, and resilience. It's no wonder this method has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to cope with stress and unrest, and there are people like monks who do nothing but meditate.
An Extra Boost
Do you want to give your brain extra support, especially during times when you're demanding a lot from it? A herbal preparation with amino acids and caffeine specially designed to support concentration, mental energy, and memory. For example, during exam preparation or in situations where a sharp mind is crucial.
Brain Facts
The total brain area consists of 21 parts, including the spinal cord and skull.
Brain development begins in the womb and continues at least until the age of 25.
When a child reaches puberty, such changes occur in the brain that a teenager's behaviour can be radically different. Teenage brains are temporarily out of balance because the emotional brain areas develop earlier than the rational brain areas, and the emotional part can no longer keep up with the rational part.
The hippocampus (plays an important role in storing information in memory, spatial orientation, and controlling behaviour important for survival) is named after the Greek word for seahorse (due to its curved shape).
The largest part of the brain is the frontal lobe. It is considered the most advanced part, as it is responsible for human self-awareness.
Broca's speech centre (located at the front of the brain) is responsible for speech and the ability to talk to yourself silently, and is located in the left hemisphere for right-handed people and sometimes in the right hemisphere for left-handed people.
The hypothalamus is a small gland that takes up less than 1% of the brain area but is responsible for many processes in our body, from hormone regulation to managing feelings of hunger, thirst, satiety, energy balance, and the biological clock.
The pituitary gland weighs only half a gram but is also called the 'master gland' due to the significant role it plays in our body. It forms the link between the central nervous system and the endocrine system.
The left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa.
