Can Smart Be Fun?
Becoming smarter can actually be fun. Here are some silly
ways to check out.
Carry around a book: Try
to carry around a book at all time, and every time you get bored or have a
second to spare, crack it open. This allows brain activity to be consistent
active, and reading is much better for your brain than any smartphone game.
Balance in weird
positions: Balancing in unusual positions is a perfect example of how body
and mind can interact. It can cause unpredictability rather than repetition,
which allows your brain to stay engaged. Next time you’re at work and want to
enhance the intelligence of your “body brain”, try to balance in a weird
position.
Go to bed just like grandparents
do: Getting a normal amount of sleep is largely underrated in today’s
society. However, it is essential for creating new memories (newly developed neural
pathways from whatever you learned that day). Next time, try to make a bed plan
that allows your body at least 8 hours of sleep. Trust me, your brain will
thank you.
Eat the same meal
every day: This is one cognitive advantage that allows you to preserve free
will, by not having to make tiny decisions throughout the day about trivial
things like choosing a meal. So, next time instead of leaving it up until just
before you eat to decide, pick a meal you could see yourself eating almost
every day. Spend your “interesting” brain power on more important things.
Stare at the wall: In
today's society, little time is usually given to just relax and escape the
distractions of TV, music, etc. Unfortunately, these distractions can keep us
away from creating ideas, or being aware and paying attention to the concept of
creating or building out ideas when we do have them. So instead of waking up
and immediately hopping onto social media outlets, try to enjoy the quiet and
observe your thoughts.
Bet against yourself:
It might sound crazy, however betting against yourself can create
artificial incentives that can get you motivated very quickly. Some economists
and psychologists consider betting against yourself to be a “commitment device”
that can help your brain.
Sprint into work (or
school) in the morning: Our brains are programmed for convenience. Everyone
has the urge to park as close to the building as possible. If your wanting to
give your brain a boost to start the day however, this is not the best
strategy. Research has shown that running gets blood and oxygen flowing to the
brain, which enhances cognitive performance afterwards.
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