By John M Grohol PsyD

11 Steps to a Better Brain

It doesn’t matter how brainy you are or how much education you’ve had – you can still improve and expand your mind. Boosting your mental faculties doesn’t have to mean studying hard or becoming a reclusive book worm. There are lots of tricks, techniques and habits, as well as changes to your lifestyle, diet and behaviour that can help you flex your grey matter and get the best out of your brain cells. And here are 11 of them.

1. Smart drugs: Does getting old have to mean worsening memory, slower reactions and fuzzy thinking?
2. You are what you eat, and that includes your brain. So what is the ultimate mastermind diet?
3. Music may tune up your thinking, but you can’t just crank up the volume and expect to become a genius
4. If training and tricks seem too much like hard work, some technological short cuts can boost brain function
5. Gainful employment: Put your mind to work in the right way and it could repay you with an impressive bonus
6. Memory marvels: Mind like a sieve? Don’t worry. The difference between mere mortals and memory champs is more method than mental capacity
7. Never underestimate the power of a good night’s rest
8. Physical exercise can boost brain as well as brawn
9. If you don’t want senility to interfere with your old age, perhaps you should seek some sisterly guidance
10. Attention seeking: You can be smart, well-read, creative and knowledgeable, bu...