{"id":14159,"date":"2024-05-23T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-23T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/?p=14159"},"modified":"2024-05-22T11:51:30","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T18:51:30","slug":"8-ways-to-prime-your-brain-for-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lifestyle.org\/8-ways-to-prime-your-brain-for-success\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Ways To Prime Your Brain For Success"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Our brains are the command center of our lives and are essential for the quality of our physical, emotional, and mental performance. Chronic stress, poor diet, smoking, and excess alcohol take a severe negative toll on our brain’s functionality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These habits also contribute to high blood pressure, cognitive decline, and dementia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you can always learn new habits and strategies and change your life. Here are 8 tips to prime your brain for success and unlock your best future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mediterranean Diet (MeDi)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

High-quality foods are essential to your brain health and physical fitness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils like olive and avocado. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based on a study<\/a> of 502,536 participants, people who followed the principles of the MeDi had a 23% lower chance of developing dementia. Research has also found that the MeDi may improve cognitive capabilities, such as memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tame Stress <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chronic stress harms brain function. Yale Medicine defines chronic stress<\/a> as “A consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many causes of chronic stress today because life is busier and more complicated than ever. These include life changes, unfulfilling jobs, economic distress, and family dysfunctions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When stressed, the brain increases glucocorticoid production, including the stress hormone cortisol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mind goes into overdrive and starts worrying about the future and everything that might go wrong, causing panic and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading the Bible and praying have a calming effect on the mind that keeps us anchored in the present. Practicing Mindfulness<\/a> helps us stay focused on the present rather than dwelling on the past or situations that cause us to worry. Other key concepts include paying attention to our surroundings, accepting ourselves, and focusing on our breathing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Physical Activity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Center for Creative Leadership asked over 1,500 executives how exercise impacts their performance. Approximately 90% said that physical activity “clearly impacts” their performance, 12% reported “some impact,” and no one reported zero impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They reported regular exercise<\/a> improved mental clarity, focus, alertness, and problem-solving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to improving your brain, exercise has physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, decreasing insulin resistance, and strengthening your immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be Mentally Active<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

People who don’t “exercise” their brains are at significant risk for early cognitive decline. You can do many activities to give your brain a workout, such as reading, memorizing scripture, learning a new language, playing games, or working on a jigsaw puzzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleep Well<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The importance of sleep<\/a> and its effect on brain health is huge! When you get good quality, deep sleep, the brain repairs itself and rejuvenates your immune system. In REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain compiles details you learned during the prior day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inadequate or insufficient sleep can contribute to feeling exhausted, cause concentration, mood, and memory disorders, and suppress the immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know the drill: create a bedtime routine by going to bed at the same time nightly and waking up at the same time in the morning. Over time, this will help set your internal clock and become a regular sleep pattern. Also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n