Do ten things to make your brain smarter

Everyone desires to have a smart brain, but age is not forgiving. The body will age and the brain function will decline. Many people begin to complain that "the brain is not enough." In fact, when we live according to "old habits" day after day, our brain learns to be "lazy." Over time, the brain's functions will degenerate.

Cultivate a smiling personality

Dr. Newberg said that smiling stimulates brain circuits, and laughing often can help reduce stress and improve immunity. "Laughter" itself is also a good way to keep the brain active and can make the thinking more agile. People should spend more time with people who have a sense of humor. This not only conveys positive emotions, but also stimulates the activity of one's own brain when seeing others smile. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone cultivate a personality that loves to laugh, make more friends who love to laugh, and watch more videos of others laughing happily, which is good for the brain.

Force your brain to work

American research has found that stimulating the brain's intelligence and cognition can strengthen the nerves in the frontal lobe of the brain, improving decision-making, communication and coordination. Professor He Xiaosheng, chief physician of neurosurgery at Shaanxi Xijing Hospital, told reporters that games that allow you to think are the best way to exercise your brain. He most recommends bridge and moderate mahjong. Dr. Newberg recommends spending a few hours every day engaging in intellectual activities that challenge you, such as solving complex problems, listening to speeches, playing chess, watching science TV, etc., which can activate the brain's neural circuits.

Make an exercise plan

A Columbia University study also found that going to the gym can help add new cells in the area of ​​the brain responsible for memory. Participants who exercised four times a week for four months saw significant improvements in their brains. Therefore, experts recommend exercising 3 to 5 times a week, such as running, cycling, gymnastics, playing ball, swimming, etc. 30 minutes each time is enough to maintain brain health, protect nerves from damage caused by stress, expand immune function, and enhance the brain's ability to reshape.

Arrange appropriate relaxation

Be a good "boss" of your body so that you won't be on strike by your "employees". Dr. Newberg says that relaxing yourself can block the brain from releasing neurochemicals that stimulate stress. Experts remind us that relaxation does not mean sitting on the sofa and watching TV, but feeling every part of the body with your heart and eliminating muscle tension and physical fatigue. Studies have found that the act of counting beads can rejuvenate the brain; knitting has the same relaxing effect.

Yawn proactively

American scientists announced the findings of researchers from the State University of New York that yawning is actually a physiological mechanism that reminds people to stay awake, because yawning can cool down the brain and thus improve its working efficiency. Moreover, yawning can trigger unique neural activity in certain parts of the brain, affecting areas that play a central role in perception and memory retrieval. Therefore, you might as well consciously yawn a few times every day. Start with a few fake yawns, and then the real yawns will be induced.

Good at making friends

American research has found that a person's social interaction skills directly affect his brain power. Dr. Newberg said that interacting with friends, sharing experiences, learning new knowledge, communicating emotions, enhancing trust and gaining understanding also provides the necessary motivation for organizing and participating in various activities. Making new friends or doing something new with old friends can enable people to have more life experiences and spiritual experiences, which can save tired and tense nerves and activate the youthful state of the brain.

Stay positive

Research from the National Institutes of Health found that moderately optimistic fantasies are important for brain nerves. People who are confident about the future and very optimistic have a certain part of their brain that is more active than others. Moreover, the activity of the brain's limbic system is the area that produces doubt and fear. The more optimistic and confident you are, the more you can inhibit the activity of the brain's limbic system. Newberg reminds us that people who worry too much about everything are prone to have depressing thoughts, which causes the brain to be overloaded and often makes them more anxious. Therefore, you might as well maintain an optimistic attitude, let your brain work easily, and many problems can be solved easily.

Calm down and meditate

After years of research, Dr. Newberg said that timely meditation can permanently strengthen the neural function of specific parts of the brain and improve cognitive and mental functions. The neural circuits activated by meditation can slow down aging and stress and properly control emotions. Therefore, Dr. Hansen, a neuropsychologist at the University of California, believes that meditation is the best "brain exercise" and recommends taking 30 to 60 minutes a day to concentrate on it. Its impact on the nervous system is enough to enhance physical and mental health and help release stress-resistant hormones and neurochemicals.

Write more

A survey in the United States found that typing on a keyboard produces less stimulation to the brain than writing by hand and also limits thinking to a certain extent. The less you write, the more the corresponding part of your brain is wasted. In addition, if you are used to writing and doing things with your right hand, you might as well try switching to your left hand. Changing your habits occasionally can give your brain more exercise. In particular, the interchange of left and right hands can fully train and utilize the left and right brain, thereby improving brain agility.

Communicate with your body every day

Interacting more with your body can improve your brain power. For example, talking to yourself is actually your body talking to your brain. It is a good way to consolidate memory and refine your knowledge. He Xiaosheng explained that if you lie lazily, your brain will think that what you are doing is not important. Therefore, when he was thinking about a problem, he would sit up straight with his chair back resting. He liked to play with things in his hands or tap on the table subconsciously to keep his brain alert. In addition, taking a walk or pacing indoors is also a good way to think about problems.