#0390 Your brain

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Inner Peace Be Upon You

# 0390 Peace and Blessings Every Day

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Your brain

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Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use it

often and in the right ways, you will become a more skilled

thinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never use

your brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability to

think and learn will deteriorate.

Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit more

productivity out of the old gray matter.

1. Minimize Television Watching - This is a hard sell. People

love vegetating in front of the television, myself included more

often than I'd like. The problem is watching television doesn't

use your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It's like

having the energy sapped out of a muscle without the health

benefits of exercise.

Don't you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are

sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long.

You don't even have the energy to read a book.

When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If

you're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with your

friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation.

All of these things use your mind more than television and allow

you to relax.

2. Exercise - I used to think that I'd learn more by not

exercising and using the time to read a book instead. But I

realized that time spent exercising always leads to greater

learning because it improves productivity during the time

afterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a wave

of energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentrate

more easily.

3. Read Challenging Books - Many people like to read popular

suspense fiction, but generally these books aren't mentally

stimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writing

ability you should read books that make you focus. Reading a

classic novel can change your view of the world and will make

you think in more precise, elegant English. Don't be afraid to

look up a word if you don't know it, and don't be afraid of

dense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, and

you'll soon grow accustomed to the author's style.

Once you get used to reading challenging books, I think you'll

find that you aren't tempted to go back to page-turners. The

challenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than any

tacky suspense-thriller.

4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise - Nothing makes it harder to

concentrate than sleep deprivation. You'll be most rejuvenated

if you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours. If you

stay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you'll wake up

lethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the early

morning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking up

early gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mental

acuity all day.

If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you are

hit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make you

lethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.

5. Take Time to Reflect - Often our lives get so hectic that we

become overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomes

difficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keep

interrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you a

chance organize your thoughts and prioritize your

responsibilities. Afterwards, you'll have a better understanding

of what's important and what isn't. The unimportant stuff won't

bother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.

I'm not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged and

chant 'ommm'. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitude

will do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk.

Someone famous said, "All the best ideas occur while walking." I

think he was on to something. Experiment to find the activity

that works best for you.

Conclusion - I hope you aren't disappointed that none of the

techniques I've proposed are revolutionary. But simple,

unexciting answers are often the most valid. The challenge is

having the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in following

these 5 tips, you'll be rewarded with increased mental acuity

and retention of knowledge.

From http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-simple-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-intelligence

Inner Peace Be Upon You.

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