The brain: a truly wonderful and mysterious organ.
It is used for everything, at all times, even in the middle of the night, waking you up with a start by reminding you of that embarrassing rejection in public twelve years ago.
And you can not only maintain your brain, but also boost it!
And there’s no magic method here: to boost your abilities and keep your brain healthy, the key is simply to use your gray matter! We’ll explain how...
🥼 How the brain works: the neuroscience minute
Before explaining how to naturally boost your brain to learn better, we’ll first look (very quickly) at how it works.
What is the brain
It is the highly complex organ that allows us to control our thoughts, emotions, desires, and actions. It is responsible for our behaviors and our interactions with others.
Basically, it is what allows us to give meaning to our existence and be ourselves.
Together with the spinal cord, it constitutes the central nervous system, which integrates information, controls motor skills, and ensures cognitive functions.
What the brain is made of
It is made up of two hemispheres: the right, which controls the left side of our body, and the left, which controls the right side.
The left hemisphere is generally associated with logic, reason, and language. The right represents creativity, imagination, thoughts, and emotions. The two parts communicate with each other via the corpus callosum.
Inside the brain is gray matter, called the cerebral cortex, composed of neuronal cell bodies. This substance contrasts with white matter, also present in the brain and composed of nerve fibers: axons.
The two each represent 50% of our brain and are inseparable from one another. Indeed, white matter allows information to be transmitted to the various areas of gray matter.
If you're having trouble understanding, think of it this way: gray matter is your computer and white matter is all the cables that allow it to function properly. That makes it clearer, right? 🤓
The brainstem connects the cerebral hemispheres to the spinal cord.
The brain also includes the cerebellum, which is used to control motor and cognitive functions.
How the brain works
Why do you feel tired at certain times, why are you hungry or thirsty at others? Well, because it’s your brain that decides.
It constantly sends and receives chemical and electrical signals throughout your body.
These signals control different processes, and our brain interprets them.
To do this, it relies on the billions of neurons it contains.
Why it's possible to optimize your brain
You have all of this as a baseline, but by stimulating your brain, you can optimize it and give it a real boost! And this is thanks to...
🧠 Brain plasticity
This is the brain's ability to reorganize its structure and connections based on learning and training.
For a long time, we thought that once adulthood was reached, the brain could no longer modify its nerve connections or produce new cells. And we were wrong!
Our brain's connections are dynamic and evolve throughout our lives to integrate our experiences and learning.
Like any muscle, the brain must be trained in order to maintain and even improve its mental performance. Making it work daily is like going to the gym, but for your gray matter.
Our tips for stimulating your brain
Several good habits help maintain good plasticity:
❓ Train the brain with brain exercises
Brain training stimulates brain function by activating and connecting new neural pathways.
To boost your brain and memory, many games are useful: sudoku, puzzles, board games, crosswords, memorization games, or even chess—you are spoiled for choice!
And if you aren't a fan of Scrabble or Chinese puzzles, you can practice other activities that interest you more, like tutoring math or reading, for example.
💡 Video games are also an excellent way to stimulate your neurons: they boost your working memory, your cognitive flexibility (meaning your ability to adapt), and your problem-solving skills. Any reason is a good reason to play just... one... more... turn... to go crush Mansa Musa in Civ IV.
🏃 Exercise
You already know it, but physical activity is good for the body—and not just the body!
It is also beneficial for your brain because it allows it to oxygenate and relax.
It also promotes good blood circulation and gives us energy.
Exercising is said to considerably improve memory performance and problem-solving ability. So remember to move (ideally at least thirty minutes three times a week)!
🥕 Eat healthy and balanced
A varied and balanced diet is essential for proper brain function: it turns out that the quality of what is on our plate has a direct impact on its health.
Certain foods should be favored for their positive effects on neurons.
You can especially indulge in foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel), flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, rapeseed oil, as well as fruits and vegetables that are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide the brain with all the nutrients it needs.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible, as they increase the risk of illnesses like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Also, remember to drink enough, to always stay well-hydrated. And I'm not talking about rosé by the pool in the sun, but water!
😴 Get enough sleep
Have you noticed how much more difficult the day is when you lack sleep? Difficulty concentrating, slowed-down thinking... To keep a sharp mind and top-tier intellectual capacity, you need to sleep enough.
It is recommended to sleep at least seven to eight hours per night.
During this time, the body and brain recharge their batteries and assimilate everything they have learned during the day. So don’t neglect your sleep!
Wondering if you’re sleeping enough? Go read our article on this subject right here, and this one if you are looking for tips for deep, restorative sleep!
📖 Learn new things
Remember when you had to memorize your history lesson by heart? It might have been torture for you, but for your brain, it was a great thing. Yes, because it makes your memory and mind work, and improves your capacity for learning and adaptation.
Don't hesitate to explore new subjects, ask questions, and don't limit yourself to what you already know.
On the contrary, step out of your comfort zone to develop your curiosity and occupy your brain; there is nothing better for mental stimulation.
And you will see that it also helps you increase your productivity at work. If you're interested, we say more about it at this address.
💡 Learning is easier said than done, but how do you do it? There are two axes that facilitate learning: repetition and being active rather than passive. Don't just settle for reading your lessons; take notes and ask yourself questions, and you will learn (much) better for it.
🧳 Break the routine
If there’s one thing the brain doesn't like, it’s daily habits.
So we aren't asking you to radically change your life, but try to step out of your routine a little to stimulate your brain even more.
This involves simple things like taking a different route to work or swapping your morning habits.
You can also diversify your activities and interests, for example, or even travel. In short, do what you enjoy, but open your mind to new things.
🫂 Maintain social ties
Loneliness and isolation are the brain’s worst enemies.
To prevent it from going on pause, you must maintain social interactions. This is, in fact, what doctors recommend first to people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Having social ties is good for mental health, just like emotional well-being, and helps reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.
🧘 Take care of your mind
A healthy mind in a healthy body!
It is very important to feel as good in your body as you do in your head.
For this, trying to relax your brain is a good start.
By calming your mind and relaxing your thoughts, you improve your concentration and maintain your mental hygiene.
Meditation, yoga, sophrology, breathing exercises... these are all activities that will allow you to reduce stress and feel good both physically and mentally, even by practicing them for just a few minutes a day.
😬 Manage stress
We know the ills that excess stress can cause: anxiety, anguish, depression...
What we know less is that it can also lead to attention disorders or memory loss.
The mechanism triggers a whole host of interactions in your body that combine to hinder your memory.
Managing your stress daily means taking care of your brain!
To tame stress and eliminate tension, exercise and meditation can be of great help, as seen above.
Also, don't let yourself be overwhelmed by excessive technology and hyperconnectivity (screens, social media notifications, FOMO syndrome).
At the end of the day, take the time to sit, breathe, and be zen to improve your cognitive performance!
🚬 Avoid tobacco, alcohol, and drugs
Everything that affects the brain leaves traces, whether in the short or long term.
So no abuse! Keeping your brain in good condition requires moderation.
😂 Have a good time
Boosting your brain also means indulging it!
The best way to keep your brain fit and healthy is to do what you love and have fun.
Laughter, for example, releases endorphins, and that doesn't just put you in a good mood; it also reduces stress and anxiety.
Final word: how to optimize your brain
The brain is a complex but adaptable organ, always capable of learning and forming new connections.
And to stimulate your brain, there's no need for a magic wand: the key is simply to use it!
Making it work by learning new things, seeing friends, practicing a sporting activity, adopting a good diet and drinking enough water, sleeping well, managing stress, enjoying life by doing what you like... Optimizing your brain is not rocket science!
