Losing Focus? Get more Brain Power!

It doesn't matter how smart you are, your education or if you have a top executive career you can still improve and expand your mind and brain power! Boosting your mental state doesn't have to mean studying hard or reading an endless number of books and encyclopedia's. There are lots of tricks, techniques and habits as well as changes to your lifestyle, diet and behaviour that can help you get the most out of your brain cells! And here are some of them.

Firstly get to the top of the class by eating breakfast. Our brains are the greediest organ in our bodies and speaking from experience when I'm constantly challenging my brain from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed I sometimes can't seem to eat enough to sustain my energy levels! It's hardly surprising that what we eat can greatly affect how we think! Concentration, memory how quickly we respond and how, just to name a few.

But it isn't as simple as getting down some calories, fizzy drinks and sugary snacks and poor nutritional meals can get a young person performing at the level of an average 70 year old. So here I would like to share with you some top brain busting and mastermind foods. Particularly great to eat prior to a race, test or important meeting!

• Eggs
• Strawberries and Blueberries
• Beans on Toast
• FISH is the best brain food as not only will it feed and lubricate a developing brain it also known to starve off dementia. It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are great for the membranes of nerve cells and helps transport nutrients into the cell

AVOID - Sugar and artificial sweeteners especially those prone to or a history of migraines as they can cause mental fatigue due to headaches. Also avoid pasta before exams or meetings as this will slow down your mental process. Pasta is a complex carbohydrate and takes a lot of energy to digest. Thus, since the blood flow is directed to the digestive track to aid such digestion, it is taken away from the brain.

USE IT OR LOSE IT! Just like your muscles you need to work out your brain to get it in peak condition.

• Keep your mind busy, learn new things as often as possible
• Go out of your way to complete activities to stimulate the brain such as games, reading and crossword puzzles etc
• Use geranium essential oil in an aromatic diffuser to spray a fine mist in a room. Geranium essential oil stimulates the memory
• Learn 1 new word a day
• Try to learn your favourite quotes or verses off by heart

Other ways to help your brain work better:

Sleeping

Skimping on sleep does awful things to the brain. Planning, problem-solving, learning, concentration, working memory and alertness all take a hit. With a good night sleep one can perform much better than normal on tasks requiring sustained attention. And being able to concentrate harder has great benefits on overall mental performance. Once again you can do more in less time because your brain is working more efficiently. Sleep is not only good for your day results but while sleeping your brain is processing memories and even solves problems. Ever woken up with a great idea or know exactly what you're going to do about the previous evening's problem?

Exercise

Also speaking from experience when you're in a peak fitness state this aids your brain power. You can think more clearly, remember things more easily and even feel smarter! Yes! And how does this work you ask? Because aerobic exercise forces extra oxygen to your energy-guzzling brain and thus it can perform better.

Paying Attention

You can be smart, well-educated, creative and knowledgeable but none of this is any use if you're mind isn't on the job. Increase your brain power and you will be able to pay much better attention and increase your concentration. You can do this by following the above suggestions but also by raising your arousal levels and goal centered state of mind, cut down on distractions and listen to some familiar soothing music. Psychologists also recommend avoiding working near potential diversions such as a fridge. And when you find your mind wondering catch yourself out and say to yourself - Stop be here now!

For more information contact Jacqueline Pigdon T: +61 (0) 404 362 379 E: jacqueline@jinalife.com