28 Mind Hacks for a Younger and More Alert Brain

Neuroscientists, for decades, have been discovering and sharing neuroscience hacks for health and effectiveness, proven to make positive differences in health, relationships and business. Some of these ideas are simple and obvious. Some of them are more subtle and thought provoking. But almost all are about the neuroplasticity (developing and increasing brain cells and their ability to function) of living a better, more mentally capable life. 

Here’s a List of 28 neuroscience hacks for health and effectiveness. Any one idea could make a positive difference for you and yours. Read the list in the NOW. Be present, aware of each concept. When you come across a smart idea that makes you smile or chuckle or raise an eyebrow, write it down and do it for a month to create the habit. 

1) Learn to control stress. Stress decreases Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor. BDNF is a molecule involved in nerve cell development. Stress isn’t what’s happening, but, rather, how you choose to perceive it. Take a breath and choose a more grown up approach. Changing your responses will change your brain chemistry, for the better.

3) Don’t eat junk. Omega-3 is your brain’s friend, not sugar. It keeps circulation moving and decreases inflamation in your brain and keeps dopamine levels active.

4) Exercise aerobically and using weights with consistency. What’s good for the heart is good for the brain. Exercise also improves the immune system and elevates mood. 

5) Get 7-8 hours of quality sleep. Good sleep improves energy, temperament, and memory. Good sleep cycles allow the lymph system to detoxify all organs. A healthy brain depends on good sleep.

6) Stay socially engaged. Join or start a book club, a movie discussion group, an investment club, etc.

7) Play board games. Learn chess or other strategic thinking games.

8) Get a coach. Whether for a sport, personal life or business growth, someone other than you can ask a better question and keep you more mentally in the game. Coaching should be stimulating, problem solving and hold you accountable.

9) Take a college class. It’s about learning and it’s also about committing and following through.

10) Meditate, yoga, hypnosis. Learn to turn off the noise, focus, create. Slow down and be more present. Mindfulness can be practiced and developed.  This is one of the best neuroscience hacks for health and effectiveness.

11) Learn a musical instrument, to dance, a language, tennis. Proven to improve cognitive skills. When you can, learn from someone ahead of you.

12) After a learning session, take a short nap. Short and long-term memory consolidation happens at various levels in the sleep cycle. Test scores have shown increase in studies of those who nap after learning.

13) Read whenever you find the time. Better yet, make the time to read. You never benefit from the book you don’t read. Get stimulating new ideas and vocabulary. 

14) Turn off your electronics once in a while. How about, no cellphones at meals, in business meetings, etc.? If appropriate, this could re-establish respect in relationships and better communications. Devices off, well before bedtime, promotes better sleep cycles, as well.

15) Take 15 minutes a day to learn something or improve on something you’re already doing. It’s a better approach for most compared to cramming for hours at a time. 20 hours is the benchmark of collective study, according to studies, to have a good mastery of the subject.

16) Stay away from negative environments and people. Health, creativity and joy will follow.

17) Get stress sunlight when you can each day. Vitamin D is important to brain health. Your body doesn’t store vitamin D. The safer way to get vitamin D is through supplements.

18) Visualize success to impress and train brain cells to function in a desired fashion. Imagine as if the success were happening in the present. Your subconscious will process the image as reality and guide you accordingly. 

19) Join Toastmasters or some group that promotes the planning and speaking of ideas coherently.

20) Explore taking a nootropic (supplements that act as central nervous system stimulants). Google it.

21) Begin and end each day reaffirming your most important specific goals out loud. It’s a small step with serious positive effects, guiding your subconscious to make better decisions.

22) Listening to music has been shown to boost the immune system and lower the brain’s production of cortisol, which produces the dark side of you.

23) Before doing anything you’d like to really do well, purposely breathe deeply in through your nose and out your mouth. This vibrates the skull in the area of the neocortex portion of the brain creating more blood flow and clearer thinking, memory and decision-making.  This is one of the best neuroscience hacks for health and effectiveness.

24) Want to lose weight? Dehydration can make you feel hungry. Drink more water to hydrate and feel full.

25) Use hand gestures when speaking. Tactile emphasis will reinforce your words for better retention in others. Examples: Touching your watch when relating to a specific time being set, touching your arm in reference to a pain you have, etc. Most folks are visual learners, help them out.

26) Form or join a Mastermind group. You don’t know what you don’t know. Others can stimulate success and stimulate brain involvement with new ideas and solutions.

27) When you catch yourself dwelling on a negative thought or story, immediately replace it with a successful scenario. Train your brain to be a problem solver, not a pity party for one. The negative dwelling on problems, increases the brain hormone cortisol, which in turn, reinforces the negative thought and performance and continues a vicious cycle.

28) When you find yourself thinking negatively, distract yourself by looking at a photo on the wall, gazing at a tree or outdoor scene, or just SMILE. Your brain reacts to even a fake smile as though it was real. This perception triggers the flow of dopamine and serotonin, lifting your spirits. 

I hope you found at least one idea that will make a positive difference.