I was reading this article today on Brainz.com. It's 15 Ways to Hack Your Brain. At first, I thought, "I don't think I want anyone hacking my brain. That doesn't sound good." But then I continued reading and found that the author was comparing hacking a computer or other device with ways to improve your brain's function.
And as someone who can't hold a thought in my head for more than 10 seconds (hence the notes and lists all over my desk), improving my brain's function is something I'm desperately in need of information about.
What were the 15 hacks,and how many am I already doing?
#1 Exercise - I get an "F" in this area. I've been doing absolutely nothing lately that even remotely resembles exercise.
#2 Hydrate - Well, if the author means drink lots of coffee with sugar all day long, then SCORE. If not, a big fat "F."
#3 Stimulation - Stimulation includes music, going outdoors and breathing in the smells, aromatherapy, etc. I'll give myself a "D" on that. I try to listen to music, light candles, etcetera every now and then.
#4 Think Happy Thoughts - I do make an effort to watch positive things on television, think hopefully, and envision happy resolutions to my problems. So I'll give myself a "B" on this. I'm mostly a positive person.
#5 Play Games - Now here, the author means crosswords, Soduku, a game of chess. Brain exercise. I think I'd get at "B" in this also, as figuring out HTML, Javascript, etc. compares favorably, I think, with any of those games.
#6 Watch Quality TV - Another "B." I mostly watch news channels, the History Channel, and the Discovery Channel. But I won't lie. I don't miss an episode of Gossip Girls or Grey's Anatomy.
#7 Surf the Net - SCORE! Finally, something I can get an "A" in.
#8 Eat Brain Food - A "C." I do my best. But with two, sometimes three, kids to feed, I'm often more concerned with coming up with a quick, semi-nutritious meal than worrying about whether there's enough magnesium in dinner to maintain the metabolic viability of my neurons.
#9 Load up on Fish Oil - Again a "C." I take fish oil supplements sporadically, and I love a good tuna fish sandwich. Does that count?
#10 Eat Weeds - No, not the kind in your front yard - gingko and ginseng. I get another "F" here, I'm afraid. No gingko or ginseng at my house.
#11 Learn Something New - Another SCORE! I get an "A" here. I feel like I'm constantly learning something new. Today, I learned the basics of building a Web page in HTML. Not bad for a 46-year-old who can't remember what I just walked into the kitchen for. Huh?
#12 Don't Waste Time - A "D." I do waste a lot of time. I'm fighting it though with lists and schedules and deadlines. Don't give up on me yet.
#13 Actively Improve Your Memory - This is about memory games, etc. Sorry. Just don't have time. And frankly, I'm not sure that they work. So an "F" for that one.
#14 Rest - An "F." I don't get near enough sleep, and the sleep I do get is at all the wrong times. But I'm working on it. I'm a night owl. I like the night.
And finally, #15 - Have Sex - Fail.
How about you? Are you hacking your brain?
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