Grow.

Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash

This article is about letting go of rigid beliefs which limit you and focuses on improving your mindset. Did you know there are actually things you can do to improve your performance and even your IQ? From education to taking supplements, there are many things you can do in order to be more successful.  You can practice things regularly until you reach mastery. You can train your brain in order to achieve what you want. You learn to use your emotional muscle to do things like stopping  procrastinating and saving money. It's really just a matter of discipline. I hope the article inspires you and lights the way to freedom. 

Neuroplasticity

neuroplasticity

noun

1. the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning or experience or following injury.

   "neuroplasticity offers real hope to everyone from stroke victims to dyslexics" (dictionary.com)

Growth mindset

Is the belief that you can improve upon your intelligence and skill-set. Rather than a fixed notion that your IQ is set in stone. People with a growth mindset face challenges head-on; persevere despite setbacks; know that effort counts twice; learn from their mistakes and feel happy for those more successful than themselves. 

Study / learn

Now that you have the faith, why not go out and learn something, whether it be a formal course of education, or a course at your community college or learning one of the millions of things you can embark on online. 

Read

There is no doubt about it, reading is edifying. Reading can increase your knowledge; give your mind a workout; help you to focus; support memory function; humor and entertain; develop better communication skills; improve your mental health and even your physical health. So go ahead and read every-day if you can. 

Exercise

Exercise can challenge and satisfy you. It's proven to be good for your brain and body. It can prevent & help to treat many diseases, even cancer. It lowers blood pressure, helps with weight loss, improves mental health. You can also explore new places by taking long walks if you are able. There are hundreds of sports and activities you can do for exercise, some simple ones are walking; swimming; calisthenics,  going to the gym, rebounding, and running.

Puzzles

Challenge yourself with a crossword, wordsearch or sudoku. Or use something like luminosity which is a brain training app. It is claimed to improve grey matter in your brain. Other ways to do it include: learning a new language (Try duolingo for hundreds of languages), or learning a musical instrument. 

Music

Playing a musical instrument can grow your brain! Even listening to music is good for your brain. Music is good for your soul. The improvement of the brain via music is called the Mozart effect, in the book of the same name by Don Campbell.

Supplements

• Fish oil - the DHA is apparently proven to protect against Alzheimer's and dementia. It's also good for you eyes, heart, lungs and immune system. A lot of people also report good results in case of arthritis. If you don't want to eat fish, you can get a vegan version, know as vegan omega 3. 
• Bananas - Bananas contain tryptophan, which converts to serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a feel-good chemical. Bananas are also good for your gut because the contain enzymes which help you to digest. And a healthy gut is just as important as a healthy brain. 
• Berries - Berries contain anti-oxidants which protect your brain cells. They may repair your DNA and they're also packed full of vitamins.
• Vitamin B - B vitamins are essential to brain health. The vitamin B group can help to boost the function of neurotransmitters in the brain, Sources include Seafood, leafy greens, livers, eggs, milk, beef, legumes, chicken, brewers yeast, pork, some breakfast cereals, sunflower seeds. Try to source it from food if you're lacking, otherwise you may need to take a supplement. 
• Rosemary tea or rosemary aroma can improve your mood, energy levels and brain function. Just prepare it as any herbal tea. It's also said to be good for your gut and it contains anti-oxidents and we all know we should take those. 
• Prescription drugs, Okay I'm not a psychiatrist, I've got a psychiatrist and have found that the right mix of pharmaceuticals helps me to be positive and happy. There are different drugs that can help you grow including stimulants and certain ant-depressants. Some people find their luck in nootropics and energy formulas and powders etc. This is a bit of a rabbit hole on the internet so be sure to research and choose your products carefully. 
• Coffee - There's nothing like a cup of jai to refresh yourself, it boosts energy, supports brain health, can prevent Parkinson's, may even increase your longevity. If you don't like coffee you can drink tea as well. Green tea is particularly healthy. 

Sleep

Everybody needs 8 hours of sleep a night. Some need more, some need less. You can't grow if your tired all the time. Sleep and dreaming rejuvenates the brain and body. It's advisable to go to bed early. Early to bed, early to rise, makes a person healthy, wealthy and wise! 

Abstinence

Try not to drink and smoke too much. Alcohol kills brain cells. Try to limit your intake to four drinks once a week or so please.  Try not to consume too many processed foods, including white flours, white sugar, white rice, white breads, processed cheese, white pastas, sugar and ramen. Try to eat less salt. Avoid smoked ham, smoked nuts and bacon. Avoid soft drinks (sodas) especially Cola and Mountain Dew. Don't eat ice-cream. Try not to have too many sweets. 

Patience

Patience is a virtue. Rome wasn't built in a day. Use your hour of power to commit to a task and get things done. 5 such hours of course adds up to 5 hours, So even if you only commit to something for an hour a day you could achieve a lot by the end of the week. You can of course do more. But at least try to do some. Stop hankering after your results and keep your head down. The secret is grit, supported by a mode of delayed gratification, here you focus on long term goals and chip away at it until the end. This could of course take some time. But if you weren't practicing the time would pass anyway so you may as well use your time wisely. 

Mistakes learn from. 

When you make a mistake, it's too easy to over-react and throw the towel in on the whole project. The best you can do is accept it and try to rectify the situation. Get help if you need to. Everyday when you are writing your gratitude journal, write down what you learnt today. Every day and every person we come across brings us a lesson. The bottom line is to learn from your mistakes and move on. 

So we can see that neuroplasticity is a new scientific breakthrough which means our brains are like plastic and can change, even in adulthood. That effort leads to results and it's not just luck  that brings achievement. Just a few basic principles like to study, to workout, to eat healthy and exercise, regular practice (of a task) and to exercise your mind and you can heal your brain. Take some advice from centenarians and use it or lose it!

References

 10 benefits of reading. https://www.oberlo.com/blog/benefits-of-reading-books#:~:text=Reading%20is%20good%20for%20you,The%20best%20part%3F. Accessed 15th/06/2023