Imagine your car has fifty extra horsepower available to use whenever you\u2019d like. So when you need to merge with traffic, this extra power is there. Best of all, it won\u2019t cost you a thing. Sounds pretty good, right?<\/p>\n
Now imagine you have more mental energy available for your brain. Whenever you need it, you can have incredible clarity. Sounds amazing, right? Well, it\u2019s true.<\/p>\n
We often do not know enough\u00a0about how our brain works. Thanks to the rapid advancement of technology, we can always learn more about how the brain works.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s like driving a car. You do not need to know how a car works in order to be able to drive. But when you have the knowledge, this allows you to drive better. You can switch gears at the right time, drive safer in dangerous conditions and even\u00a0fix problems when they pop up.<\/p>\n
Our brain is no different.<\/p>\n
Years ago, I learned if you want to be productive, you must first solve the biggest bottleneck. Otherwise, you\u2019ll waste your limited resources. You can work hard, but you won\u2019t see the desired results.<\/p>\n
You have many options to\u00a0support your brain. Here are a few ways you can give your brain more power:<\/p>\n
Your brain is developed in order to cope with temporary stress.<\/p>\n
Our 10,000 years of evolution have made sure that the systems in your body allow you to deal with short-term stress.\u00a0Prolonged chronic stress reduces the abilities of your brain.<\/p>\n
So when you make minimizing (and removing) chronic stress in your life a priority, you are taking an important step forward.<\/p>\n
Use your five senses to detect stress factors.<\/p>\n
Food is what fuels your body. So it is important to fuel your body and brain with the very best fuel, right?\u00a0A diet that consists of unhealthy food can rob your brain of certain nutrients it needs to function properly.<\/p>\n
Food that is nutrient-poor leaves your body deficient in the vitamins and minerals your brain needs. For example, omega-3 fatty acids, present in foods like salmon, walnuts and olive oil, help your brain perform at high levels.<\/p>\n
While you sleep, your body recovers.\u00a0Sleeping is key for a healthy brain.\u00a0A good night\u2019s sleep can strengthen memories and promote creative thinking.\u00a0Research suggests that proper amounts of sleep (7 to 9 hours per night for adults) can help your brain stay sharper and boosts your\u00a0power of recall.<\/p>\n
Your brain is not a storage place for your to-do list.\u00a0When two tasks fight for your focus, your brain is stressed.<\/p>\n
Get items out of your brain and capture them so you can reference them later.<\/p>\n
Your brain occasionally needs\u00a0some rest. You cannot spend all of your time on focused work. You can give yourself more mental energy by doing something physical such as exercise. The Pomodoro Technique is a good strategy because it encourages you to take breaks.<\/p>\n
Making decisions takes your mental energy. Make fewer decisions, and you\u2019ll have more energy.<\/p>\n
President Obama has said that he does not decide what he eats. Or what clothes he wears. He does this to save valuable mental energy.<\/p>\n
Your brain consumes 20% of your total energy. Keep this in mind and do everything you can to maximize your energy levels. Your diet plays an important role as well as your attitude and your surroundings. Be intentional and challenge yourself in a positive way through learning to boost brainpower.<\/p>\n
According to this\u00a0<\/span>study<\/a>, there is a relationship between HRV (Heart Rate Variability) and smart decisions. Your HRV is the physiological phenomenon of variation in the time interval between heartbeats.\u00a0HRV is a skill you can train.<\/p>\n