#how to improve cognition

[stuckinapril]

I genuinely think that any change in behavior starts w telling yourself that your worst days, worst performances, just worst moments in general aren’t who you “truly are.” It’s all about unlearning any thought process that essentially chalks up traits you aren’t proud of to “this is who I really am” “in reality I’m lazy” “in reality I’m just a bad person” bc not only is that never true, but it impedes your efforts to try to do better as well. Anything we struggle with has roots in things like childhood trauma, thoughts you’ve been fed before, your upbringing…. but never that you’re inherently a bad person. What I’m learning this year is that a lot of us doing better & being better & improving really comes down to self-talk—to disavowing the very notion that deep down we’re simply bad.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Remember: The burning sensation is part of the process.

[umemiyan]

sometimes i wish i could turn off the logistical and evaluative parts of my brain because it isn’t necessary to make analyses everywhere i go

[counsellingwithcoaching]

I Have Eidetic & Photographic Memory: Super Charged Subliminal

[cloudsrust]

I.. may have gotten distracted while drawing the Jack thing;; so yeah can't post it today-

Gonna try and post it tomorrow!

[reasonsforhope]

By the way, you can improve your executive function. You can literally build it like a muscle.

Yes, even if you're neurodivergent. I don't have ADHD, but it is allegedly a thing with ADHD as well. And I am autistic, and after a bunch of nerve damage (severe enough that I was basically housebound for 6 months), I had to completely rebuild my ability to get my brain to Do Things from what felt like nearly scratch.

This is specifically from ADDitude magazine, so written specifically for ADHD (and while focused in large part on kids, also definitely includes adults and adult activities):

Here's a link on this for autism (though as an editor wow did that title need an editor lol):

Resources on this aren't great because they're mainly aimed at neurotypical therapists or parents of neurdivergent children. There's worksheets you can do that help a lot too or thought work you can do to sort of build the neuro-infrastructure for tasks.

But a lot of the stuff is just like. fun. Pulling from both the first article and my own experience:

Play games or video games where you have to make a lot of decisions. Literally go make a ton of picrews or do online dress-up dolls if you like. It helped me.

Art, especially forms of art that require patience, planning ahead, or in contrast improvisation

Listening to longform storytelling without visuals, e.g. just listening regularly to audiobooks or narrative podcasts, etc.

Meditation

Martial arts

Sports in general

Board games like chess or Catan (I actually found a big list of what board games are good for building what executive functioning skills here)

Woodworking

Cooking

If you're bad at time management play games or video games with a bunch of timers

Things can be easier. You might always have a disability around this (I certainly always will), but it can be easier. You do not have to be this stuck forever.

[drdemonprince]

The data does not support the assumption that all burned out people can “recover.” And when we fully appreciate what burnout signals in the body, and where it comes from on a social, economic, and psychological level, it should become clear to us that there’s nothing beneficial in returning to an unsustainable status quo. 

The term “burned out” is sometimes used to simply mean “stressed” or “tired,” and many organizations benefit from framing the condition in such light terms. Short-term, casual burnout (like you might get after one particularly stressful work deadline, or following final exams) has a positive prognosis: within three months of enjoying a reduced workload and increased time for rest and leisure, 80% of mildly burned-out workers are able to make a full return to their jobs. 

But there’s a lot of unanswered questions lurking behind this happy statistic. For instance, how many workers in this economy actually have the ability to take three months off work to focus on burnout recovery? What happens if a mildly burnt-out person does not get that rest, and has to keep toiling away as more deadlines pile up? And what is the point of returning to work if the job is going to remain as grueling and uncontrollable as it was when it first burned the worker out? 

Burnout that is not treated swiftly can become far more severe. Clinical psychologist and burnout expert Arno van Dam writes that when left unattended (or forcibly pushed through), mild burnout can metastasize into clinical burnout, which the International Classification of Diseases defines as feelings of energy depletion, increased mental distance, and a reduced sense of personal agency. Clinically burned-out people are not only tired, they also feel detached from other people and no longer in control of their lives, in other words.

Unfortunately, clinical burnout has quite a dismal trajectory. Multiple studies by van Dam and others have found that clinical burnout sufferers may require a year or more of rest following treatment before they can feel better, and that some of burnout’s lingering effects don’t go away easily, if at all. 

In one study conducted by Anita Eskildsen, for example, burnout sufferers continued to show memory and processing speed declines one year after burnout. Their cognitive processing skills improved slightly since seeking treatment, but the experience of having been burnt out had still left them operating significantly below their non-burned-out peers or their prior self, with no signs of bouncing back. 

It took two years for subjects in one of van Dam’s studies to return to “normal” levels of involvement and competence at work. following an incident of clinical burnout. However, even after a multi-year recovery period they still performed worse than the non-burned-out control group on a cognitive task designed to test their planning and preparation abilities. Though they no longer qualified as clinically burned out, former burnout sufferers still reported greater exhaustion, fatigue, depression, and distress than controls.

In his review of the scientific literature, van Dam reports that anywhere from 25% to 50% of clinical burnout sufferers do not make a full recovery even four years after their illness. Studies generally find that burnout sufferers make most of their mental and physical health gains in the first year after treatment, but continue to underperform on neuropsychological tests for many years afterward, compared to control subjects who were never burned out. 

People who have experienced burnout report worse memories, slower reaction times, less attentiveness, lower motivation, greater exhaustion, reduced work capability, and more negative health symptoms, long after their period of overwork has stopped. It’s as if burnout sufferers have fallen off their previous life trajectory, and cannot ever climb fully back up. 

And that’s just among the people who receive some kind of treatment for their burnout and have the opportunity to rest. I found one study that followed burned-out teachers for seven years and reported over 14% of them remained highly burnt-out the entire time. These teachers continued feeling depersonalized, emotionally drained, ineffective, dizzy, sick to their stomachs, and desperate to leave their jobs for the better part of a decade. But they kept working in spite of it (or more likely, from a lack of other options), lowering their odds of ever healing all the while. 

Van Dam observes that clinical burnout patients tend to suffer from an excess of perseverance, rather than the opposite: “Patients with clinical burnout…report that they ignored stress symptoms for several years,” he writes. “Living a stressful life was a normal condition for them. Some were not even aware of the stressfulness of their lives, until they collapsed.”

Instead of seeking help for workplace problems or reducing their workload, as most people do, clinical burnout sufferers typically push themselves through unpleasant circumstances and avoid asking for help. They’re also less likely to give up when placed under frustrating circumstances, instead throttling the gas in hopes that their problems can be fixed with extra effort. They become hyperactive, unable to rest or enjoy holidays, their bodies wired to treat work as the solution to every problem. It is only after living at this unrelenting pace for years that they tumble into severe burnout. 

Among both masked Autistics and overworked employees, the people most likely to reach catastrophic, body-breaking levels of burnout are the people most primed to ignore their own physical boundaries for as long as possible. Clinical burnout sufferers work far past the point that virtually anyone else would ask for help, take a break, or stop caring about their work.

And when viewed from this perspective, we can see burnout as the saving grace of the compulsive workaholic — and the path to liberation for the masked disabled person who has nearly killed themselves trying to pass as a diligent worker bee. 

I wrote about the latest data on burnout "recovery," and the similarities and differences between Autistic burnout and conventional clinical burnout. The full piece is free to read or have narrated to you in the Substack app at drdevonprice.substack.com

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

Brain Recharge: 3 Essential Rests You Need for Peak Cognitive Performance

I explain "Why Sleep, Mental Breaks, and Downtime Are the Secret Weapons Your Brain Needs to Thrive and Slow Aging"

Why Sleep, Mental Breaks, and Downtime Are the Secret Weapons Your Brain Needs to Thrive and Slow Aging Last year, I wrote an essay that truly opened some eyes — and I wasn’t surprised. Why? Because I’ve been there myself. When I was younger, I used to think that sleep and rest were luxuries, something I could sacrifice for the sake of productivity.  I pushed myself hard, ignoring the signs…

[ismailfazil1-blog]

Sharpen Your Memory: Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Brainpower

Unlock the full potential of your mind with "Sharpen Your Memory: Powerful Techniques to Boost Your Brainpower." This comprehensive guide delves into scientifically-backed strategies and practical tips designed to enhance your memory and cognitive function. Whether you're a student looking to ace exams, a professional aiming to stay sharp, or anyone interested in improving mental agility, this book offers valuable insights into memory optimization.

Through a well-structured approach, you'll explore the impact of pushing your limits, learning new skills, and prioritizing sleep on your memory. Discover how nutrition, hydration, and regular exercise contribute to a sharper mind, and learn about the power of mnemonics, chunking, and spaced repetition in reinforcing your recall abilities. With advice on stress management, social engagement, and even the surprising role of humor in memory enhancement, this book provides a holistic view of brain health.

Packed with practical advice, including the best foods and herbs for cognitive support, as well as the latest online tools and apps to keep your mind sharp, "Sharpen Your Memory" is your go-to resource for boosting brainpower and enhancing memory in every aspect of life.

[manasastuff-blog]

"International Chess Day"#trending#viral#chessday

The Secret to Strategic Thinking! Chess is more than just a game; it's a powerful tool that sharpens your mind and enhances strategic thinking. Celebrating International Chess Day brings to light the myriad benefits of this ancient game. From boosting cognitive abilities to improving problem-solving skills, chess offers something for everyone. we delve into the significance of International Chess Day and explore how chess can transform your mental acuity, whether you're a student looking to improve academically, a professional seeking better decision-making skills, or someone aiming to keep their mind sharp. Join us as we uncover the hidden benefits of chess and share tips on how you can incorporate this fascinating game into your daily routine.

Call: 77997 99221

Website: www.manasadefenceacademy.com

#InternationalChessDay#ChessImportance#StrategicThinking#BrainBoost#MentalFitness#ChessBenefits

#CognitiveSkills#ChessForAll#MindGames#ChessDay2024#trending#viral#manasadefenceacademy#chessday

[maisha-online]

10 Essential Tips on How to Keep Your Brain Healthy After 50

Maintaining cognitive health is crucial, especially after 50, when individuals often seek guidance on how to keep their brain healthy amid changes in memory and brain function. Integrating physical activity, engaging mental exercises, and choosing brain-healthy foods are pivotal for preserving cognitive function and ensuring an active mind. This article unfolds the significance of lifestyle…

[paularoseauthor]

My Ten Top Tips How Mindfulness Will Help You

Be ‘mindful’ of your activity and the joy it brings you, you draw more out of that long-lasting experience.

Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash 06 June 2023 As human beings, we are responsible for caring for and keeping our spirit and soul well. How do I know that? Look at this scripture and contemplate upon it. 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you and which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19 points…

[boostyourintelligence]

The Science of Attraction: What Really Draws Us to Others?

In this video, we'll also discuss how attraction varies across cultures and how it changes over time. We'll explore the role of hormones like dopamine and oxytocin in romantic attraction and how they affect our behavior. You'll learn practical tips for improving your own attractiveness and how to use the science of attraction to your advantage in dating and relationships. Whether you're single and looking for love or simply curious about the science behind attraction, this video is for you. Join us as we uncover the secrets of attraction and discover what really draws us to others. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more videos like this one!

[theambitiouswoman]

We have three brains: The head brain, the gut and the heart.

🧠 Head (Brain): This is where our logic, intellect, and conscious thought processes are centered. Despite its importance, 90% of our behavior is influenced by our unconscious mind.

How to take care:

🧠 Do activities that stimulate your brain, such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or practicing mindfulness meditation. These activities can help improve cognitive function and maintain brain health.

🧠 Healthy nutrition, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and managing stress are crucial for brain health. Physical health directly impacts your cognitive abilities and mental clarity.

🧠 Keep your brain active by learning new things regularly. This could involve hobbies, courses, or activities that challenge and stimulate your intellect.

🍽️  Gut: Often referred to as our "second brain," the gut produces a significant amount of serotonin, which plays a crucial role in mood regulation and overall emotional management.

How to take care:

🍽️  Eat a diet rich in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and probiotics (like yogurt or kefir) to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Avoid excessive sugar and processed foods.

🍽️  Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support digestion and overall gut function.

🍽️  Stress can negatively impact your gut health. Practice stress reduction techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or meditation to maintain a healthy gut-brain axis.

❤️ Heart: The heart has neural pathways that communicate with the brain, suggesting a bidirectional flow of information. This connection emphasizes the role of emotions, intuition, and feelings in our decision making and overall cognitive processes.

How to take care:

❤️ Maintain positive relationships, express your emotions constructively, and engage in activities that bring you happiness and fulfillment.

❤️ Regular exercise not only benefits the heart but also helps manage your emotions by releasing endorphins and reducing stress.

❤️ Take time for your self care activities that nurture your emotional and psychological health.

[becomingthatgirl111]

journal prompts you can use to improve your life

journaling is a really powerful habit that i love because it has helped me a lot in my transformation and healing process. it also offers us many benefits for our life. when we write down what we feel or what we want to achieve we are focusing and giving it much more clarity. through this magical practice, we can solve any type of situation or problem. It helps us to get rid of fears and anger. my favorite way is to ask myself questions that I can answer, this gives me more clarity and concentration. i recommend doing it on paper in fact i have my own notebook in which every day i carry out this wonderful practice.

✨ some of its benefits are:

helps reduce anxiety and depressive thoughts.

improves cognitive capacity, writing by hand activates many neural networks and, consequently, improves our cognitive capacity. In addition, it also emphasizes that this activity promotes prospective and working memory.

helps cultivate discipline

improves memory

it helps us to create habits moreover, writing on paper those "tasks" or habits that you want to integrate into your life, makes your brain catalog them as "important actions" and it is more likely that you fulfill them in the day. What happens is that your reticular active system (SAR) files them as actions that you must accomplish.

✨ journal prompts ideas

for the morning - have a great day and focus on the positive and what we want to accomplish today.

how do i want to feel today?

what should i focus on?

how do i need to act today to get closer to my best self?

what should i avoid?

what can i do to have a great day?

what would i like my day to be like?

today…(the things you will do, how you will feel)

today no…. (the things you want to avoid and not focus on)

for times of stress or anxiety.

how am i feeling?

what has caused me to feel this way?

have i felt this way on other occasions? is it a pattern i am repeating?

how would i like to feel?

what should i focus on?

what would make me feel good right now?

is there anything i can do right now to fix it?

how would i like to act the next time this situation happens?

how would my best version of me act in this situation?

is there anything I can do to make this better?

to become our best version

what would my best version look like?

what things should i change to get closer to my best version? (like thought patterns, habits…)

what can i do to get closer to becoming my best version?

what do i commit myself to every day to be closer to this version?

what would my desired life look like 6 months from now?

what would my desired life look like 1 year from now?

what are those thought patterns or limiting beliefs that prevent me from living my life the way i want?

what is it that makes me feel fearful or insecure? (make a list and next to it you can replace the negative affirmation with a positive one).

write down 5 positive affirmations of how you want your life to be from now on and commit to repeating them daily.

to focus on new goals or habits

what habits would i like to implement in my life from now on?

what habits do i need to remove from my life?

what would my desired routine look like?

what can i do to achieve this?

what would be my dream lifestyle?

what can i do to achieve it?

what are my goals?

how can i get closer to them?

do i feel capable?

if not, what is stopping me?

what can i do to change that thinking?

against negative thoughts

where does this thought come from?

how does it make me feel?

how would i like to feel about it?

what thoughts would i like to have?

from now on i commit myself to…(list of positive beliefs you will have from now on)

for the evening, to end your day on a high note and prepare for the next day.

3 things i am grateful for today

how did i feel today?

what can i improve tomorrow?

what should i focus on more tomorrow? (e.g. goals)

how would i like to feel today?

these are just a few examples, you can use them if they help you or invent your own, the important thing is that they help you feel better or whatever you want to achieve at that moment.

it is important to write every day, even if you feel good, write how your day was, what you want to improve, what you can do to make it better, anything! but this habit is very powerful and will improve your quality of life a lot.

[nightbunnysong]

How neuroscience-backed practices can boost your long-term health and cognitive function

In the pursuit of optimizing both mental and physical well-being, neuroscientific research offers valuable insights into specific practices that have long-term benefits. Below are four highly effective habits supported by science that you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve brain health and overall wellness.

1. Practice 20 minutes of diaphragmatic breathing every day

Diaphragmatic breathing, also known as deep breathing, activates the vagus nerve, a crucial component of the parasympathetic nervous system. This type of breathing helps reduce cortisol production and lowers heart rate, creating a state of calm. Over time, regular practice of diaphragmatic breathing can significantly reduce chronic stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance cardiovascular health.

Scientific support: studies have shown that consistent diaphragmatic breathing can alter the body's stress response, leading to long-term benefits such as lower blood pressure and improved heart rate variability—an indicator of cardiovascular resilience.

2. Engage in moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes a week

Regular physical activity, especially of moderate intensity, has profound effects on brain structure and function. Exercise increases the volume of the hippocampus, the region of the brain associated with learning and memory. It also boosts the production of endorphins and dopamine, which enhance mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Scientific support: longitudinal studies have found that individuals who maintain regular moderate to intense physical activity have larger brain volumes, a reduced risk of dementia, and better cognitive function compared to those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

3. Listen to classical or instrumental music while studying

Listening to classical music, such as the works of Mozart, can increase alpha wave activity in the brain, which is associated with a state of relaxed alertness. This type of music stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances motivation and focus.

Scientific support: research has shown that listening to classical music can improve concentration, memory, and learning ability. Over time, regular exposure to this type of music can enhance neuroplasticity, making it easier to learn and consolidate new information.

4. Regularly consume foods rich in choline, such as eggs and broccoli

Choline is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and learning. Regular intake of choline through diet supports brain health and can improve synaptic plasticity.

Scientific support: studies have indicated that adequate choline intake is associated with better cognitive function and a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Over time, a choline-rich diet can support memory and protect the brain from age-related decline.