Showing posts with label sciammind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sciammind. Show all posts

2.20.2009

Boost Brainpower

"The adult human brain is surprisingly malleable: it can rewire itself and even grows new cells."
- Emily Anthes



Our behavior and environment can cause substantial rewiring of the brain or a reorganization of its functions and where they are located. In fact one of the most active regions of the adult brain is the hippocampus, a structure vitally important for learning and long term memory.



Exercising can improve the brain's executive functions: planning, organizing, multitasking, and more. Physical and mental activity can improve the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to brain cells while boosting the neuron development and survival.



6 Ways to Boost Your Brainpower

1. Exercise-not only does it improve brain function it can also help you sleep better and build up your body's immune system


2. Diet-a diet loaded in saturated fat can lead to a lack of memory and learning capability, it has also been shown to have an increased risk in dementia. Omega-3 fats are healthy fats for the brain and allow for proper function and growth. It can also lead to a resistance against Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other central nervous system disorders.


Foods to try and eat: fish, nuts, seeds, blueberries, spinach, walnuts


3. Stimulants-moderate to small doses of caffeine, and other substances that rev up the nervous system, can boost mental functioning and alertness.


4. Video Games-research has shown that playing video games a couple hours a week can improve mental dexterity, hand-eye coordination, depth perception, attention span, and pattern recognition.


5. Music-can activate your brain's reward centers and depress activity in the amygdala, reducing fear and other negative feelings.


6. Mediatation-turning the mind inward on contemplation and relaxation can help relieve the body of anxiety, reduce pain, help high blood pressure, insomnia, diabetes, depression, and skin conditions.




6 Ways to Boost Brainpower
Emily Anthes

2.19.2009

The Serious Need for Play

"Free imaginative play is crucial for normal, social, emotional, and cognitive development. It makes us better adjusted, smarter, and less stressed." -Melinda Wenner

Studies have shown a direct correlation with the lack of free play in childhood to adult anxiety and stress. While you might play a soccer game or sudoku on the train, free play is defined as play without an agenda, priory rules, or time constraints. This type of unstructured play promotes mental and physical well being in adults the same as in children. Play instills a new sense of happiness and encourages flexibility and creativity in everyday situations. Having play time might allow you to better function on the job, be more clear headed throughout the day, and give you added motivation to be healthier.


This idea might seem completely impossible to some adults. How do you play after not playing for over 20 years? Here are a couple easy ways to start.

-Try to do an active movement, with no time pressures and no expected outcomes.
EXERCISING TO BURN FAT IS NOT PLAY
-Create Something...Anything. Not for any specific outcome.
-Spend time around children.
-Engage in purposeless social activities or conversations.
-Go outside.


Better late than never...time to have playtime again.
"Curiosity, imagination, and creativity are like muscles, if you don't use them you loose them."
-David Elkind




The Serious Need for Play

Melinda Wenner
Scientific American Mind
February/March 2009