How to improve brain function?
Long-COVID brain fog, mum brain or work burnout — there are quite a few reasons in today's world that can bring intelligence levels to a drop. If left in that state, the mind, just like a person, can become lethargic and unwilling to get back to its original sheen. For a growth-oriented individual, low smarts could also mean a slowdown in their career. Fortunately, there are a number of ways one can constantly challenge their mind and keep it alert and focused.
Regular exercise is one of the best ways to improve the brain function. Even the lightest of exercises induces activity in the hippocampus and improves the connection between it and the other areas of the brain that look after memory. The best part: it need not be strenuous exercise at all. Simply walking, jogging or practicing yoga can help the brain soak up all the benefits of physical activity.
Sleep is another phenomenon that is heavily associated with a healthy brain. In fact, it is so vital that studies have shown that even mild sleep deprivation can adversely impact working memory. While each person differs in the number of hours of sleep they need, at least 6 hours of sound sleep has been proven to help with keeping the brain alert and sharp. Sleep gives the brain time to consolidate memories and make space to learn newer things the next day.
Another tried and tested method for improving the focusing abilities of the brain is meditation. Practicing individuals swear by this method and two studies, conducted almost a decade apart from each other, demonstrated similar results — meditation was associated with better executive functioning and working memory. The practice also improved the mood and anxiety levels of the participants and it can do the same for you. Read More...
