Take Care of Your Brain and Your Brain Will Take Care of You

Dec 17, 2019 | Better Writing

Remember the scarecrow from “The Wizard of Oz?” He wanted more than anything to have a brain. You probably have a brain already. Lucky you. The only thing you need to be concerned about is getting the most from it.

Your brain has billions of nerve fibers connected by trillions of synapses. It is amazing. But it will be more amazing longer and it will serve you better if you treat it right. Here are five things you can do to get the most from your brain for as long as possible.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep does amazing things for your brain. When you get enough good sleep, it’s easier for your brain to get things done. It’s easier to concentrate. You’re more creative. Help your brain help you by getting enough sleep.

Hard-charging, goal-driven people think that they can give up some sleep to get more done. Bad idea. Most of us need seven to eight hours of quality sleep to function at our best. Sacrifice work time to get enough sleep and you’ll be more productive. Help your brain help you.

Feed Your Head Good Stuff

You’ve heard the saying for computers, “Garbage in, garbage out.” It’s true for your brain, too. Instead of feeding your brain sitcoms and cable news (oops! I meant “cable opinion”), try reading more good stuff. Read things that challenge your thinking. Read things that deepen your knowledge and broaden your knowledge base. Help your brain help you.

Keep Fit

When you’re fit, you have more energy and more stamina. You can also send more oxygen to your brain. Your brain loves that! Help your brain help you by staying fit.

Walking is the exercise favored by thinkers and creative people for centuries. We’re not talking about hiking or power walking. We’re not talking about city walking where you must dodge other pedestrians and be alert for traffic and traffic signals. Thoreau called it “sauntering” and it’s best done in nature. Walking will help your brain help you.

Eat Right

This will not be fancy nutritional advice or some magic brain diet. Just stop eating junk. You know what that means. Help your brain help you by eating right.

Give Your Brain Time to Play

Creativity is playing with ideas. If you’re always busy with something, your brain is busy, too. If you want to get good stuff from your brain, especially great ideas, give your brain time to play. Take breaks. Take time away from work. Create solitude to think and reflect. Let your brain help you by giving it time to play.

Bottom Line

Your brain is a magnificent organ. It can do great things. You can help it do great things by getting enough sleep, feeding your brain good stuff, keeping fit, eating right, and giving your brain time to play.