The brain is like a super-important part of our body. It’s connected to almost everything we do in our body. Since the brain is really crucial, more so as students, we should make sure it stays healthy. We can learn ways to make it work even better and avoid things that might make it not function as it should.
Just like we take care of our bodies by eating well and exercising, we need to take care of our brains too! Here are ways you can boost your brain power as a student:
Eat brain-friendly foods
Your brain, which is a vital organ, can benefit from eating the right foods. These brain-friendly foods can help keep your brain healthy and enhance your ability to handle mental tasks like remembering information and staying focused.
Research has shown that certain foods play a significant role in supporting brain health and improving mental performance. Your diet should contain a considerable amount of Fish, vegetables, eggs, fruits, and nuts. These are examples of foods that can be especially beneficial for your brain. Fruit and vegetable juices contain an antioxidant called polyphenols, which protect brain cells and keep the brain functioning optimally.
Junk food is quick and convenient, which is why many students eat a lot of it when they’re rushing to class or work. Having some fast food occasionally is okay, but be careful not to turn it into a regular thing that you do all the time.
Engage in brain-stimulating activities
There are activities that help stimulate the brain cells. It’s like giving your brain exercises to make it stronger and smarter. Some of these activities include learning new things like a language or skill, listening to music, meditation, reading, solving brain teasers, solving puzzles, playing chess or scrabble, etc.
It is important to note here that multitasking does not improve or stimulate brain cells. Contrary to the idea that multitasking helps the brain perform better, recent studies have shown that it could lead to the opposite. Multitasking creates pressure, which causes stress. It causes a loss of concentration and focus and can negatively impact memory and IQ.
The brain works efficiently when it focuses on a single thread of related thoughts. While multitasking may work for tasks that require little or no concentration, it does not seem to work for tasks that require a considerable level of concentration.
Get Enough Sleep
Staying up late at night is something many people do, but it’s not great for students in the long run. Your body might get used to it, but there are downsides. Not getting enough sleep can slow down your brain and make it harder to think logically and remember things.
The part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for important thinking skills, gets affected when you don’t sleep enough. So, it’s essential for students to get proper sleep to keep their brains working at their best.
Let Go of Negative Emotions and Stress
Research shows that emotions can have an effect on your memory. People who are in a positive mood are more likely to remember the information presented to them, whereas people who are in a negative mood are less likely to remember the information that is presented to them.
When we are angry, bitter, constantly criticize ourselves, or overwork the body, it creates stress. Stress shrinks the brain and affects our brain chemicals. This can make it harder to think clearly and see things from a balanced perspective.
Students battling with negative emotions are to find ways to handle them. This might involve seeking support from friends, family, or counsellors, engaging in hobbies that bring joy, or practising relaxation techniques like deep breathing or mindfulness.
Reduce Your Screen Time
Spending much time in front of a television, computer, or mobile phone reduces brain activity. For instance, when you watch TV, your brain changes how it works. It goes from using the left part, which thinks logically and analyzes things, to the right part, which is more focused on pictures and visuals.
This shift in brain activity means that you stop thinking critically about the information you’re seeing on TV. Instead, your brain focuses more on the visual aspects and doesn’t analyze things as deeply. When this becomes consistent over time, it can affect memory and the ability to logically and rationally approach issues.
Exercise Your Body
When you exercise your body, it helps your heart and blood vessels work better, which means more oxygen and nutrients can reach your brain. This is great for your brain because it makes it work better, too!
Exercise can improve things like problem-solving and decision-making skills. Any physical activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it up is beneficial for your brain. So, whether it’s running, dancing, or any other active movement, it’s good for your mind and body. So, get moving and give your brain a boost!
Stay Hydrated
Something most people don’t do enough of is drink water, especially students. The brain is made up of about 70% water. When we don’t have enough water in our bodies, it can make our brain not work as well.
Dehydration makes our blood thicker, and this makes it harder for oxygen and other important things to get to our brain and other parts of our body. Generally, drinking about 8 glasses of water a day is a good idea, but if you can drink even more water, that’s even better for your body and brain.
The American Health Association asked more than 4,000 students some questions and discovered that 54.5% of them didn’t have enough water in their bodies. This lack of water can make it harder for a student to learn new things or focus well in school.
Socialize
It has been proven that a meaningful relationship can immensely improve your brain health. Studies have shown that simply talking to someone for 10 minutes each day can actually help your brain work better. This can lead to improved memory and overall brain performance.
Similarly, it has been suggested that individuals with the most active social lives showed the slowest rate of memory decline.
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