These programs often overpromise results or focus on memorization skills that aren't useful in everyday life. Your brain can get just as good of a workout through reading or challenging yourself with puzzles. Finally, don't watch too much TV, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain.

Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress , which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to connect with loved ones, friends and others , especially if you live alone. Research links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain.

The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health but it is also critical for brain health. Get your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to keep your numbers within a normal range.

Increase your physical activity, eat a Mediterranean diet and decrease your sodium consumption to lower blood pressure and cholesterol values. Finally, tobacco and alcohol use are impactful on brain health as well, so only drink alcohol in moderation and don't smoke.

Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. Kelsey Kidd is a nurse practitioner in Neurology in Mankato , Minnesota.

Skip to main content. Posted By. Kelsey Kidd, APRN, C. Topics in this Post. Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance: 1.

Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. Eat a Mediterranean diet. Stay mentally active. Remain socially involved. Keep your blood vessels healthy. Related Posts Dementia-related pain: What caregivers need to know.

Tuned-in technology: Program monitors patients from afar. It also gives your cells more energy to burn and circulates oxygen. And exercising can lead to higher brain dopamine levels, which helps elevate mood.

When walking, pick up the pace periodically to get extra health benefits. You know smoking threatens your health. But you may not know that smoking actually siphons off your energy by causing insomnia.

The nicotine in tobacco is a stimulant, so it speeds the heart rate, raises blood pressure, and stimulates brain-wave activity associated with wakefulness, making it harder to fall asleep. And once you do fall asleep, its addictive power can kick in and awaken you with cravings. If you think you may be sleep-deprived, try getting less sleep.

This advice may sound odd but determining how much sleep you actually need can reduce the time you spend in bed not sleeping. This process makes it easier to fall asleep and promotes more restful sleep in the long run. Here's how to do it:.

Eating foods with a low glycemic index — whose sugars are absorbed slowly — may help you avoid the lag in energy that typically occurs after eating quickly absorbed sugars or refined starches. Foods with a low glycemic index include whole grains, high-fiber vegetables, nuts, and healthy oils such as olive oil.

In general, high-carbohydrate foods have the highest glycemic indexes. Proteins and fats have glycemic indexes that are close to zero. Caffeine does help increase alertness, so having a cup of coffee can help sharpen your mind.

But to get the energizing effects of caffeine, you have to use it judiciously. It can cause insomnia, especially when consumed in large amounts or after 2 p.

One of the best hedges against the midafternoon slump is to avoid drinking alcohol at lunch. The sedative effect of alcohol is especially strong at midday. Similarly, avoid a five o'clock cocktail if you want to have energy in the evening.

If you're going to drink, do so in moderation at a time when you don't mind having your energy wind down. What's the only nutrient that has been shown to enhance performance for all but the most demanding endurance activities?

It's not some pricey sports drink. It's water. If your body is short of fluids, one of the first signs is a feeling of fatigue. For more information on the many things you can do to increase your natural energy, order our Special Health Report, Boosting Your Energy.

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Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, fish and healthy fats, such as olive oil. It incorporates less red meat and salt than a typical American diet. Studies show people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to have Alzheimer's disease than people who don't follow the diet.

Further research is needed to determine which parts of the diet help brain function the most. However, we know that omega fatty acids found in extra-virgin olive oil and other healthy fats are vital for your cells to function correctly, appear to decrease your risk of coronary artery disease, increase mental focus and slow cognitive decline in older adults.

Your brain is similar to a muscle — you need to use it or lose it. There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, reading, playing cards or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Consider it cross-training your brain.

Incorporate different types of activities to increase the effectiveness. Most health care teams don't recommend the paid brain-training programs available. These programs often overpromise results or focus on memorization skills that aren't useful in everyday life. Your brain can get just as good of a workout through reading or challenging yourself with puzzles.

Finally, don't watch too much TV, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain. Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress , which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to connect with loved ones, friends and others , especially if you live alone.

Research links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain. The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health but it is also critical for brain health.

But you can limit the negative emotional effect of a meeting to discuss an assignment you're dreading by timing it, say, right before lunch, when you can take a break. Design your day with the goal of ending it with net positive emotion.

I know that jogging makes me happy , so I fit it in when I need a mental high. Gloria Mark , PhD, is Chancellor's Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine and author of " Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness and Productivity.

Gloria has published over articles, and in was inducted into the ACM SIGCHI Academy , which recognizes leaders in the field of human-computer interaction. Follow her on Twitter.

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Wasting your willpower causes you to become frustrated, angry, and upset quickly. It can hurt your productivity, your relationships, and even your health. The best way to use your willpower is to save it up. If you get upset, take a break and let your brain rest.

People often use their mental energy by complaining, whining, or focusing on the negative. They can be conversations with co-workers, friends, family, or even grocery store baggers.

A mental health professional can help you understand your triggers and how to manage them. Brain power comes from what you put in your body, how you sleep, and how you exercise. We often get stuck in a rut when it comes to learning. Instead of learning new skills and expanding your knowledge, you might spend your time relearning what you once knew.

Learning something new is a great way to increase mental energy. There are several ways you can go about this. You can read a book, take a class, or watch a YouTube video. So, there you have it, the best ways to increase your mental energy.

While it may feel like your mental energy is constantly drained, you can easily increase your mental energy with a few minor adjustments in your routine. Make sure to log your activities, break down your tasks, and find ways to increase your motivation to help you stay as productive as possible!

By following these tips, you should be able to increase your mental energy levels and feel more alert throughout the day.

If you're still struggling with fatigue, it's essential to talk to your doctor. There could be an underlying medical condition causing your fatigue. With the help of a medical professional, you can get to the root of the problem and find the best way to increase your energy levels!

Close menu. home Shop The science our story Find a Store Blog Gift Card FAQ Log in Facebook Twitter Instagram. Tips To Increase Mental Energy Get Enough Sleep Most people need around eight hours of sleep per night. If it's hard for you to fall asleep, there are a few things that you can try: Establish a regular sleep schedule Create a relaxing bedtime routine Limit caffeine intake Limit screen time before bed Get up and move around during the day Eat Healthy Foods Eating nutritious foods helps your body to function at its best.

Disease Control If you have health conditions, such as diabetes, controlling it can help increase your mental energy. Eat Breakfast Breakfast is one of the best ways to increase your mental energy. Take A Walk Or Do Some Exercises Exercising is proven to increase your mental energy and help you feel more alert and focused.

Take Breaks Throughout The Day When you feel tired , take a few minutes to rest and rejuvenate. Mindfulness Mindfulness is a form of meditation that helps you focus on the present moment. Reduce Stress It's no secret that stress can take a toll on our energy levels.