8 Daily Mental Workouts to Boost Work Performance.

Written by Henry Okwo Saturday, 07 May 2011 10:08

The brain is a huge super computer capable of remarkable memory if you train it correctly. Who among us couldn't take advantage of a more robust memory. Does it get awkward forgetting day to day tasks, or perhaps names, anniversaries or birthdays? Enhanced memory can boost your other functionalities as well giving you more access to information that may help you in other areas. So as you have lunch today practice memorizing the items on the menu or introduce yourself to new people today and write down their names what you remember about them when you get home. Make it fun.

The brain is a huge super computer capable of remarkable memory if you train it correctly. Who among us couldn't take advantage of a more robust memory. Does it get awkward forgetting day to day tasks, or perhaps names, anniversaries or birthdays? Enhanced memory can boost your other functionalities as well giving you more access to information that may help you in other areas. So as you have lunch today practice memorizing the items on the menu or introduce yourself to new people today and write down their names what you remember about them when you get home. Make it fun.

Use tax season as a reason now to get stronger in Math. Practicing the basic principles of math will help solidify your financial future. It would be wise not to outsource your personal finance completely, remember Madoff, the SEC couldn't nail him despite his very fuzzy math. Learning the fundamentals of interest rate calculations on your credit cards, mortgage and investment vehicles will save you lots of money down the road. Seek to understand the principles behind the time value of money.

New research every year provides newer insight to how our brain functions, the old conventional wisdom that our brain had to remain the same and deteriorate over time has now been discredited. The brain is a jelly-like substance that loves to soak up new information like a sponge. It's elastic and flexible for a reason so you can switch gears if need be. Stretch it out by taking the opposite side on a controversial topic. Pretend you are behind the wheel on the journey called life, put the car in neutral and consider the middle ground then go in full reverse, consider the argument for the other side completely then take back the wheel on your journey, you can stay the course or take a turn, either way you would be the wiser for it.

Just consider the huge workload the brain has, it's surprising more people don't perform daily brain exercises. A daily exercise can also mean total relaxation. When you get a chance, take yourself away from the world for a few minutes and rest assured all will be well. Find an ideal seating position, close your eyes and focus your energy on taking in deep breaths. Get a feel for all your senses, visualize the cold air you are bringing in will bring forth new ideas and solutions and then breathe out the hot air representing all your worries and anxieties. Give your brain that well earned rest and peace of mind.

Healthy brain cells need stimulation, they need to be cognitively challenged. Increased blood flow is stimulated in the specific areas involved in cognitive exertion. One must feed these healthy brain cells so they can perform at their best, more stimulation equals more blood flow which transports those vital nutrients we need as well as oxygen throughout the body. So consider some task, some work function perhaps that you have been doing the same way for a long time with no variation. Read some updated relevant information, read another industry report, try and absorb some new knowledge as it pertains to that function only. You have to do the task all the time anyway, it makes sense to seek new ways. Allow your brain to re-stimulate from its earlier zeal when you first started the specific function, get the blood flowing.

Yoga provides great physical and mental benefits. It provides the brain with an optimum environment for peak performance in our ever demanding world of deadlines and pressure. Yoga will leave you completely rejuvenated and totally relaxed. It's an ideal stress buster that will teach you how to gain greater control of your breathing. Learn to stretch your body in its various positions. Get a healthy mind in a healthy body. Anybody can do it, over-weight or in perfect shape, it can help you, find that local yoga studio and make some new friends or simply practice at home.

Learning a new language would be a challenging mental workout. Recent studies have negated prior conventional wisdom that the brain has to deteriorate and lose connections permanently as we age. You can build new connections and stimulate neurons into instant action by challenging your brain to process a new language. Language is like music to the brain, it stretches the elastic mind.

Playing high level cognitive games like Chess and Checkers challenge the brain's highest functionalities. Sudoku will push your numeral logic neurons, Mastermind and Connect Four are wonderful options too. A difficult crossword puzzle may do the trick too, there are a multitude of specific brain games both online and offline. Have fun exploring the highest levels of your brain power.