MountainWings:Monday - Brain Exercise

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-------------------------------------------------MountainWings A MountainWings Moment#12107 Wings Over The Mountains of Life-------------------------------------------------Brain Exercise===============Your brain needs exercise just like a muscle. If you use itoften and in the right ways, you will become a more skilledthinker and increase your ability to focus. But if you never useyour brain, or abuse it with harmful chemicals, your ability tothink and learn

will deteriorate.Here are 5 simple ways anyone can squeeze a bit moreproductivity out of the old gray matter.1. Minimize Television Watching - This is a hard sell. Peoplelove vegetating in front of the television, myself included moreoften than I'd like. The problem is watching television doesn'tuse your mental capacity OR allow it to recharge. It's likehaving the energy sapped out of a muscle without the healthbenefits of exercise.Don't you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes aresore 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. Ifyou're too tired, listen to some music. When you're with yourfriends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation.All of these things use your mind more than television and allowyou to relax.2. Exercise

- I used to think that I'd learn more by notexercising and using the time to read a book instead. But Irealized that time spent exercising always leads to greaterlearning because it improves productivity during the timeafterwards. Using your body clears your head and creates a waveof energy. Afterwards, you feel invigorated and can concentratemore easily.3. Read Challenging Books - Many people like to read popularsuspense fiction, but generally these books aren't mentallystimulating. If you want to improve your thinking and writingability you should read books that make you focus. Reading aclassic novel can change your view of the world and will makeyou think in more precise, elegant English. Don't be afraid tolook up a word if you don't know it, and don't be afraid ofdense passages. Take your time, re-read when necessary, andyou'll soon grow accustomed to the author's style.Once

you get used to reading challenging books, I think you'llfind that you aren't tempted to go back to page-turners. Thechallenge of learning new ideas is far more exciting than anytacky suspense-thriller.4. Early to Bed, Early to Rise - Nothing makes it harder toconcentrate than sleep deprivation. You'll be most rejuvenatedif you go to bed early and don't sleep more than 8 hours. If youstay up late and compensate by sleeping late, you'll wake uplethargic and have trouble focusing. In my experience the earlymorning hours are the most tranquil and productive. Waking upearly gives you more productive hours and maximizes your mentalacuity all day.If you have the opportunity, take 10-20 minute naps when you arehit with a wave of drowsiness. Anything longer will make youlethargic, but a short nap will refresh you.5. Take Time to Reflect - Often our lives get so hectic that webecome

overwhelmed without even realizing it. It becomesdifficult to concentrate because nagging thoughts keepinterrupting. Spending some time alone in reflection gives you achance organize your thoughts and prioritize yourresponsibilities. Afterwards, you'll have a better understandingof what's important and what isn't. The unimportant stuff won'tbother you anymore and your mind will feel less encumbered.I'm not saying you need to sit on the floor cross-legged andchant 'ommm'. Anything that allows a bit of prolonged solitudewill do. One of my personal favorites is taking a solitary walk.Someone famous said, "All the best ideas occur while walking." Ithink he was on to something. Experiment to find the activitythat works best for you.Conclusion - I hope you aren't disappointed that none of thetechniques I've proposed are revolutionary. But simple,unexciting answers are often the most valid.

The challenge ishaving the will to adhere to them. If you succeed in followingthese 5 tips, you'll be rewarded with increased mental acuityand retention of knowledge.From http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/5-simple-ways-to-make-the-most-of-your-intelligenceThank you for inviting MountainWings into your mailbox.Change a life, give a friend MountainWings.See you tomorrow.Forward this issue to a friend or click the Share Link below toPrint, Share by Email, Facebook, Blog or many other services:http://www.mountainwings.com/past/12107.htm**************************************************************** www.MountainWings.com "Wings Over The Mountains of Life"To: Subscribe, Un-Subscribe,

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