Things that make us smarter:
Journaling: Recent studies have shown that regular journaling is not only effective in improving one’s thinking skills but it also helps people manage their stress. Journaling is excellent if you feel that your thinking in general is disorganized and you have trouble stitching together ideas and stuff that you have to do. Journaling is not the same as making a to-do list! Journaling focuses on your present experiences and personal expression. I suggest that you get a good notebook or journal and start writing. If you want to use special software to create your journal or if you want to start a blog of your own, feel free to do that. If you feel that your thoughts belong only to you and you enjoy the solitude and peace that a regular journal gives, then stick to a journal/notebook. It’s easy to start a journal – just write. Don’t focus on making your handwriting extremely beautiful or readable. Don’t focus on appearance – instead, focus on getting your emotions and ideas out unto the paper or keyboard. Journaling is all about you. The activity should bring pleasure and it should please you. Journaling should also bring fun and enjoyment – and this brings us to our next point. This activity should not be done every day if it bores you and if you feel forced to do it. Sure, a little initiative is awesome when you are trying to accomplish something. But all the same, if you feel horrible when you try to write down something, perhaps it is not the best option for you. But if journaling (even a little writing) brings you pleasure or enjoyment, then by all means, continue with this activity. Who knows how much journaling can help power your brain power?
Power Naps: Need I say more? Rest is absolutely essential to human health. Some people may brag that they can feel perfectly rested after only 4 or 5 hours of sleep every day. Only a small percentage of the population is aware that if you stick to this type of sleeping pattern, you not only harm your brain power (i.e. recall, retention, etc.) but also your general health. Getting too little sleep every night can actually increase a person’s risk for cancer, stroke and heart attacks. Sleep is very important to the human body. That’s why our current strategy focuses on resting the body, even if it’s not too long. If you can snatch thirty minutes of rest in the middle of the day, that would be a very good start. If you can only nap for 15 minutes, then that’ good, too. The benefits of the power naps add up during the week and your whole body (including your brain) will appreciate the fact that you are setting aside even short periods of time for recuperation. Most people who are suffering from memory-related problems are often physically fine – they are just plain exhausted and fatigued from overwork. Work is important because it gives one’s life direction and with work, you are able to stabilize your finances. But work should never be the cause of mental and physical malaise. If it is, you may want to re-evaluate how you work and your general working conditions as well.
