Use your Brain Power

1. Surround yourself with inspirational people

You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with, so the more time you spend around healthy people, the better it is. Dine with people who are health conscious and as the same aspirations as you.

2. Practice Mindfulness 

“In mindfulness practice, we are learning how to return to, and remain in, the present moment—to anchor ourselves in the here and now on purpose, without judgment.”

Meditation allows you to focus on the present, without letting your worries for the future impede your mood. Take some time every day to clear your mind and focus on your breathing to relieve the effects of stress and anxiety. Here is a link to “how to make meditation a daily habit” – https://www.mindful.org/developing-a-daily-practice/

I´ve been practicing meditation for 3 years. I still have a lot to learn: I am still very insecure, have low self-esteem and I get stress easily but, meditation has definitely helped me improve. Here are things that I feel like meditation gave me: 

• I am more aware of other people’s feelings – My close friends are always telling me that they feel safe around me because I can understand their point of view and how they feel;
• I rarely get involved in conflicts – When something is making me angry, I don’t immediately react to a situation. Instead, I have a moment to pause to think properly and to come up with the best solution;
• Less time, same quality – Although I am always daydreaming, if I have something to accomplish, I won´t let anything distract me until it´s done. Now, I can better focus on my tasks and finished them more quickly.

If you are interested in mindfulness, there are tones of apps that can help you! Check out:

• Insite Timer;
• Smiling Mind; 
• Stop, Breath and Think

3. Care for your emotions

It is important not to suppress how you are feeling. The build-up of suppressed feelings can often lead to mental health issues.

Speak to someone you can trust about your struggles. Opening up to someone can offer you a different perspective on your situation. You might even be surprised to find how many people relate to how you are feeling. You should never feel like you need to struggle alone.

4. Get enough sleep 

Good sleep can maximize problem-solving skills and enhance memory, improves immune function, among others… Two hours before bedtime, cut out the use of electronic devices. Instead, why not read a book?

Sleep for 7-9 hours (if you are an adult) and keep the atmosphere of your bedroom cool and dark.

If you want to know about sleep – https://www.sleepfoundation.org/

5. Protect your head

Researchers found that there is an increased risk for developing dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) among those who have experienced brain injuries, especially repeated concussions. Therefore it is important to protect your head, no matter your age, for lifelong brain health: Use helmets when cycling, drive safely, avoid playing contact sports, wear glasses or contact lens (if you need them) and clear your home of trip hazards like electrical cords, loose rugs or slippery bathing surfaces.

Find out how scientists in the joint KPWHRI-University of Washington ACT study keep learning about the brain and aging. – https://www.kpwashingtonresearch.org/our-research/research-areas/aging-geriatrics/act-study-long-running-study-aging-examines-changes-kaiser-permanente-patients-over-time

Note: If you’re feeling like your mental health is deteriorating, I strongly advise seeking a health professional. You can also visit Young Minds for more information about mental health and how to get support – https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/.