Did you play memory games when you were younger? Having a robust memory gives us many advantages. No more awkward look of forgetting anniversaries and birthdays and even people’s names. A better memory can increase other functionalities, may even boost your career allowing you access to more information at the ready. When you are at lunch today, practice memorizing items on the menu or try remembering the names of new people and personal facts, go out there and have fun.

Use tax season as a reason now to get stronger in Math. Practicing the basic principles of math will help solidify your financial future. It would be wise not to outsource your personal finance completely, remember Madoff, the SEC couldn’t nail him despite his very fuzzy math. Learning the fundamentals of interest rate calculations on your credit cards, mortgage and investment vehicles will save you lots of money down the road. Seek to understand the principles behind the time value of money.

The brain is a flexible jelly-like substance that is designed to be elastic, it craves to soak up new information like a sponge. Pretend as if you are driving along on the long journey that is life, you would have to switch gears from time to time. So for now, pick a controversial topic, consider the middle ground that is neutral, then try going in full reverse considering the other side. Think for a moment what their viewpoints may be, then take back the wheel and continue on your journey, stay the course or change, either the experience will provide more insight. Stretch that brain, I promise it won’t break.

Since our brain has such a huge workload, it’s important it to exercise it daily. That exercise can also be in the shape of total relaxation. When you can tear yourself away from the world for 15 mins, find a comfortable seating position, close your eyes and focus all your energy on taking deep breaths. As you pull the air through your nostrils, concentrate intently and feel the air is cold coming in and leaves hot. Make use of all your senses, visualize the cold air you are breathing in will bring you new connections, new ideas, new solutions. Then calmly breathe out the hot air that represents all your worries and anxieties. Then just allow your mind to be at total peace. It’s earned a much deserved rest.

The complex machine that is the brain needs constant stimulation to perform at its best. Cognitive exertion will mean increased blood flow and oxygen throughout the body. If you perform certain tasks the same way all the time, the brain can get intrinsically lazy, it gets bored. It craves new information to stay stimulated. Seek out new information, alternative industry reports, different sources of research pertaining to the task alone. Re-stimulate your brain with new information and get the blood flowing.

Yoga provides great physical and mental benefits. It provides the brain with an optimum environment for peak performance in our ever demanding world of deadlines and pressure. Yoga will leave you completely rejuvenated and totally relaxed. It’s an ideal stress buster that will teach you how to gain greater control of your breathing. Learn to stretch your body in its various positions. Get a healthy mind in a healthy body. Anybody can do it, over-weight or in perfect shape, it can help you, find that local yoga studio and make some new friends or simply practice at home.

Stimulate your brain by learning a new language. Myths that the brain has to deteriorate and lose connections permanently as you get older have been discounted. Keep your brain young and alive by learning new things continuously, it will stimulate your neurons into greater connections. Just like back in high school, learn a new language and practice stretching the brain. Open up new connections and expand the elastic mind. The brain thrives on challenging new things, language is indeed music to the brain.

Playing high level cognitive games like Chess and Checkers challenge the brain’s highest functionalities. Sudoku will push your numeral logic neurons, Mastermind and Connect Four are wonderful options too. A difficult crossword puzzle may do the trick too, there are a multitude of specific brain games both online and offline. Have fun exploring the highest levels of your brain power.

Want to find out more about starting aDaily Mental Workout, Henry Okwo is serial entrepreneur and will help you get started on a path to Personal Development to achieve your goals.

Be Sociable, Share!