We all know the importance of exercise and keeping our body in optimal health, but what about our brains? Exercising your brain is just as important as a good sweat session in the gym. There are many ways to train your mind and imprüv your cognitive skills. Whether you are left or right-brained, it’s time to get to those lobes flexing with a few daily activities!

UPGRADE your Language

Words stimulate your brain, and we knew that. But switching things up stretches your brain out of its comfort zone. So instead of scrolling social media feed in the morning, go old school and read the newspaper! Read topics outside of your normal interest. The difference of structure and topic will not only introduce new ideas and words, it forces your brain to focus and understand this new idea! Take it one step further and start learning new words in another language. Not only will your brain thank you, but you’ll also have a new skill. Double win!

Test your Tastebuds

Try new cuisines! This can be at a new restaurant with a dish you would normally not choose. Your sensory system can distinguish MILLIONS of scents by activating receptors in your nose, which can evoke feelings + memories since there is a direct link to the emotional center of your brain. You can also stimulate your brain in your kitchen with a throwdown of new ingredients. Putting your brain outside of its comfort zone of using familiar ingredients will have your brain hustlin’ hard to come up with new flavor combinations and meal ideas.

The Ole Switcheroo

When routines become automatic, our brains are less engaged when performing those tasks. So switch things up! Take a new route to work, add a new activity, or do something out of the ordinary. For example, activate the other side of your brain by brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand! Using the opposite side of your brain can result in a substantial expansion in the parts of the cortex that control and process tactile information from the hand. Make sure to open the tube and apply toothpaste in reverse, too! New tasks exercise large areas of the cortex, increasing brain activity!

The key to a BETTER brain is consistency. Engage your brain EVERY DAY and see how much you GROW.