43 Mind hacks That Will Make You Healthier
As the veritable Grand Central Station of the human body, it is of the utmost importance to care for the brain with as much painstaking attention as possible. Even beyond the basics, though, numerous hacks exist to ensure the overall health and safety of the mind as well as the body. The two work in tandem, and damage to one will begin to degrade the other. Keeping many of the following tips in mind during day-to-day life provides an amazing conduit to preserving mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
1. Take caffeine in smaller doses.
According to Wired, cognitive health and general alertness receives a boost when one spreads caffeine intake throughout the day rather than giving into a bombing of the stuff at breakfast. Adding glucose in the form of sugar or a pastry actually improves the productivity of the caffeine and the carbohydrates as well. Such measues may also reduce the risk of anxiety that comes from downing large doses.
Restricting calories not only keeps the body healthy, but the brain as well. A lower caloric intake may increase one’s desire to socialize, which provides a valuable boon to overall mental health. For those afraid of succumbing to depression, this makes for an easy solution without popping harsh medications.
3. Drink water.
The body already needs water in order to perform various cellular and metabolic tasks, so consuming 2 glasses of the stuff as a mind hack does significantly less damage than the short-term bursts of caffeine. Dihydrogen monoxide makes for a way to rejuvenate both mental and bodily health.
When one spends time with friends and family, it actively pushes moods upward – even when circumstances seem negative, such as convening over a death. Social activity is crucial to maintaining properly maintained mental health, as giving into long periods of isolation leads to the physiological ailments associated with depression.
5. Dance
This physical activity exercises the brain as well as the body, as the AARP points out. It helps to build neuron centers that stave off dementia and increases motor skills. And if that weren’t enough of an incentive to try the tango or rock the rumba, dancing is also a proven stress reducer.
Sticking with a set routine for work or studying can help maintain better physical and mental focus on work or school. It keeps one better organized and reduces the anxiety that results from too many stimuli occupying too little brain space. A little chaos can be a good thing when it comes to cognition, but striking a balance and generally trotting down an organized path helps out the most.
7. Pay attention to peripheral vision.
Interestingly enough, focusing with peripheral vision can also open doors to better health for the brain. Exercising this oft-overlooked (pun not intended) element can stimulate the production of a certain type of neurotransmitter that depletes when dementia descends.
8. Pay close attention to details.
Never lose sight of the bigger picture, of course, but looking into the depths of one’s surroundings makes for one simple way to keep the brain firing smoothly. Engage in activities that require considerable scrutiny, as doing so improves overall alertness, awareness, and coordination.
9. Try some balancing exercises.
Prevention magazine recommends a few basic balancing exercises of graduated difficulties. Start off with the easier ones and work up to the real challenges. Practicing balance positively impacts the mind-body connection, as it requires both mental and physical prowess.
10. Avoid smoking.
Smoking not only increases one’s chances of developing cancer, emphysema, and other respiratory ailments (some terminal), but it negatively impacts the brain as well. Additives in cigarettes have been known to reduce overall cognitive functioning and heighten the risk of Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related conditions.
11. Understand that randomness has its place.
This brief Wired article discusses how the human brain responds far better to randomness than one would think. Pump up memory retention by memorizing information in no particular order.
12. Learn!
Taking the time to learn a new skill or research information on a topic of interest may very well build up grey matter density in the brain. Brain density behaves in a manner akin to a muscle – the more it grows, the stronger it gets. There is still dispute over whether size impacts intelligence or not, but building strength matters more.
13. Play games.
It is common knowledge that keeping the brain stimulated as often as possible through puzzles, quizzes, and other games that require some degree of strategy and critical thinking staves off dementia. Pick up a favorite crossword or initiate a rollicking round of Risk to better facilitate mental health and cognition.
Obviously, don’t spend so long in the sun that skin cancer starts popping up. But 10 to 15 minutes of light a day improves the brain and the body alike, serving as a mental health booster for the former and an important dosage of Vitamin D for the latter.
15. Nosh on nuts.
Walnuts are especially rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which play an integral role in keeping both the body and the mind healthy and happy. They serve as an overall mood enhancer that staves off or lessens the symptoms of depression and may even prevent brain cells from dying.
Sometimes, stress and anxiety grows unavoidable – if there exists no method for quelling it at home, then one should seek the counsel of a medical or mental health professional. However, take the time to discover a solution that chips away at the issues at hand. Letting them control the body causes physiological damage and dissolves emotional stability.
17. Jigsaw puzzles do more than pass the time.
Larger jigsaw puzzle undertakings increases one’s memory, eye-hand coordination, critical thinking, and ability to process details without losing sight of the broader task at hand. It nurtures the mind, which in turn keeps the body running in the most efficient, alert manner possible.
18. Do math.
Even those more inclined towards the arts (both liberal and visual) can still benefit from finding mathematical problems to keep their brain stimulated without fostering anxiety. Working with numbers and formulas round out one’s knowledge and challenges them to think both logically and creatively.
19. Keep blood pressure in check.
Be responsible when it comes to caring for blood pressure issues. Not putting forth the effort to address any issues as they crop up increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s as well as coronary and stroke issues.
20. Don’t skip breakfast.
Consuming a healthy breakfast rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber launches the day in a far more productive manner than a cup of coffee or an Egg McMuffin. Not only does it keep the body operating as smoothly as possible, it also increases awareness and comprehension to bolster performance in school and at work.
21. Exercise
Support the undeniable mind-body connection by selecting exercise regimens intended to specifically (and positively!) impact both elements. Aerobic activities, for example, strengthen intelligence. Which, in turn, keeps the body feeling far happier and healthier.
22. Smile!
Both smiling and viewing a smile stimulates the part of the brain that processes pleasure from rewards. Many claim that this simple act can also increase serotonin and dopamine to fight off depression and fatigue as well.
Unlike television, the internet doesn’t reduce a viewer’s intellect through passivity. Browsing sites of interest and reading involve more activity and nurtures the ability to reason and make better decisions as well as improving overall functionality. And a functioning, efficient brain leads to a functioning, efficient body. Studies show that surfing the internet actually occupies more sections of the brain than reading a traditional book, too.
24. Meditate
Everyone meditates in a preferred style that works for them, whether it involves music, yoga, engaging in a favorite hobby, or something else entirely. Engage in regular meditation rituals to keep the mind and body both relaxed and rested. Failing to do so may result in health issues directly relating to anxiety.
25. When appropriate, pop on a helmet.
Biking, skateboarding, skiing, and any other grueling physical activities opening practitioners to the risk of brain injuries all require helmets. Even minor concussions cause enough damage to reduce cognitive functionality and coordination for a period of time.
26. Avoid playing high-impact sports.
Football, hockey, and boxing may be fun in the short term, but prolonged playing heightens the risk of severe brain damage and dementia down the line. This doesn’t mean that one must absolutely refrain from engaging in any of the activities they enjoy altogether, of course, but they must take precautions to keep the noggin protected and safe – and perhaps reducing the amount of harsh physical contact.
Better yet – learn to juggle. Finding a few games to play with a ball positively influences eye-hand coordination, reflexes, and responses, further galvanizing the integral connection between mind and body.
Traipsing about in no shoes – especially on uneven surfaces – stimulates the mind as well as nerve endings in the body. Doing so can build up the sections of the brain that process coordination and increases one’s responses to stimuli. Shoes and socks may lead to a greater disconnect between the mind and the extremities, acting as a barrier between the world and the way people process environmental information.
29. “Rush for a change of atmosphere.”
Mick Jones could not be more right, even though he wasn’t exactly singing about mind hacks. Take regular breaks during work (school, unfortunately, isn’t nearly as permissive) to reset the mind and prevent exhaustion, fatigue, and stress from growing too overwhelming.
30. Mix it up.
Small “neurobiotic exercises” that add a small unexpected twist throughout the day – Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen cites Lawrence Katz as recommending performing mundane daily tasks in the dark or hanging a painting upside-down. They keep the brain alert by forcing it to pay close attention to details and snap out of complacency.
31. Read slowly.
The ability to process information correctly heightens moods and builds confidence, which eventually leads to improved mental health. Simply reading slowly in order to boost comprehension levels can lead to some unexpected – but not unwelcome – positive changes.
32. Drink wine.
Some studies have revealed that the resveratrol found in wine may keep the brain more alert and sociable. If this proves irrevocably true, then the benefits of the fermented beverage extend far beyond lowering cholesterol. Socializing and maintaining heightened awareness (this obviously factors out drinking wine to excess) fosters greater emotional and mental health, making the drink a nice choice for overall health and wellness.
33. Eat well.
As with the wine example, noshing on nutritious nourishment results in a better body and mind. One of the best brain and health hacks around, a proper diet with sufficient protein, Vitamins A, B, C, and E, zinc, magnesium, and amino acids keeps the faculties upstairs running just as smoothly as the ones downstairs.
A small glass of wine a day may be a healthy addition to any diet, but going overboard on alcohol compromises both mental and physical well-being. Binge drinking wreaks havoc on the internal organs, most especially the kidneys, liver, and brain, so it is best to keep with modest drinking habits.
35. Engage in memory activities.
Make an honest effort to participate in group or solo memory activities, as doing so increases cognitive functions and gives a much-needed bump to learning comprehension and critical thinking skills. A stimulated brain not only results in a stimulated body, but helps fight the risk of dementia later on in life.
36. Contentiously improve dexterity.
In daily life, perform mundane activities using the least dominant hand. Aside from the obvious benefits to coordination, it also forces the brain to learn a new skill and strengthen cells and neurotransmitters in the process.
37. Shut those eyes!
And not for sleeping, either. Perform safe, menial exercises such as completely informal writing or tying shoes in the dark or with eyes clamped shut to heighten the responses of other senses. Doing so channels one’s inner Matt Murdock, forcing the brain and the body to divert their energies towards other stimuli. Small activities such as this do nothing but bolster overall awareness and alertness.
Book clubs blend together intellectual and social stimulation, which keeps the body healthy both mentally and emotionally.
39. Try to stay away from neurotoxins.
Sadly, it’s sometimes impossible to steer clear of all neurotoxins. One may, however, minimize contact with the chemicals that cause damage to the mind and the body. Organic, natural, and whole products don’t usually contain these harsh substances.
Elevated blood sugar levels can prevent brain cells from functioning properly, so take in these necessary carbohydrates in the form of fruit rather than calorie-laden candy bars. Try to pick ones noted for their high antioxidant and fiber content for the betterment of the body and the mind, as doing so dissolves plaque and free radicals.
41. Volunteer
Reversing injustice or assisting the impoverished or disabled makes for an incredible way to bring about happiness and peace far beyond the brain. Making a difference in the world nurtures positivity in both the giver and the receiver, and picking a project that involves the brain and the body does nothing but make it all even better.
42. Learn to play a musical instrument.
Learning has already been established as an excellent way to facilitate better brain and body health, but picking up a musical instrument adds bonuses beyond grey matter. Professional musicians enjoy more competent eye-hand coordination, greater memory, increased motor skills – even a heightened IQ!
43. Sleep!
Fight off exhaustion and give into the sweet temptation to sleep – even if it is for only 15 minutes or so. The brain and body both need rest in order to run efficiently and maintain proper health, and today’s lifestyle is unfortunately not conducive to these needs. For all-nighters, make sure to pause for quick naps as a recharge. It won’t make up for a full rest, but it’s better than running on coffee fumes.
Sticking with these mind hacks only serves to strengthen the bond between mind and body, helping the two maintains harmony and keep the human machine running as smoothly as possible. Whether they benefit the mental, physical, or emotional well-being (or some combination thereof), all of them play an integral role in promoting an individual’s health and happiness.
