Icy fingers and toes: Poor circulation or Raynaud's phenomenon? You're trying to concentrate, but your mind is wandering or you're easily distracted. What happened to the laser-sharp focus you once enjoyed? As we age, we tend to have more difficulty filtering out stimuli that are not relevant to the task at hand.

Like a computer that slows with use, the brain accumulates wear and tear that affects processing. This can be caused by a number of physiological stressors such as inflammation, injury to blood vessels especially if you have high blood pressure , the buildup of abnormal proteins, and naturally occurring brain shrinkage.

Underlying conditions. Depression or sleep disorders such as sleep apnea can undermine your ability to concentrate. So can the effects of vision or hearing loss.

You waste precious cognitive resources when you spend too much time trying to make out what's written on a page or just hear what someone is saying. Medication side effects. Some drugs, especially anticholinergics such as treatments for incontinence, depression, or allergies , can slow processing speed and your ability to think clearly.

Excessive drinking. Having too much alcohol impairs thinking and causes interrupted sleep, which affects concentration. Information overload. We are bombarded with information from TVs, computers, and messages such as texts or emails.

When there's too much material, it burdens our filtering system and it's easy to get distracted. Want a way to boost your attention and focus? Neuropsychologist Kim Willment of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital suggests a single-task exercise like reading.

When it goes off, ask yourself if your mind has wandered. If so, just refocus on what you're reading," she says. She recommends sitting still for a few minutes each day, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing as well as the sounds and sensations around you.

Cognitive training. Computerized cognitive training games aim to improve your response times and attention. Memory and other cognitive changes can be frustrating, but the good news is that, thanks to decades of research, you can learn how to get your mind active.

There are various strategies we can use to help maintain cognitive fitness. Here are several you might try. A higher level of education is associated with better mental functioning in old age.

Experts think that advanced education may help keep memory strong by getting a person into the habit of being mentally active. Challenging your brain with mental exercise is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.

Many people have jobs that keep them mentally active. Pursuing a hobby, learning a new skill, volunteering or mentoring are additional ways to keep your mind sharp. The more senses you use in learning something, the more of your brain that will be involved in retaining the memory.

In one study, adults were shown a series of emotionally neutral images, each presented along with a smell. They were not asked to remember what they saw. Later, they were shown a set of images, this time without odors, and asked to indicate which they'd seen before.

They had excellent recall for all odor-paired pictures, and especially for those associated with pleasant smells.

Brain imaging indicated that the piriform cortex, the main odor-processing region of the brain, became active when people saw objects originally paired with odors, even though the smells were no longer present and the subjects hadn't tried to remember them. So challenge all your senses as you venture into the unfamiliar.

Myths about aging can contribute to a failing memory. Middle-aged and older learners do worse on memory tasks when they're exposed to negative stereotypes about aging and memory, and better when the messages are positive about memory preservation into old age. People who believe that they are not in control of their memory function — joking about "senior moments" too often, perhaps — are less likely to work at maintaining or improving their memory skills and therefore are more likely to experience cognitive decline.

If you believe you can improve and you translate that belief into practice, you have a better chance of keeping your mind sharp.

If you don't need to use mental energy remembering where you laid your keys or the time of your granddaughter's birthday party, you'll be better able to concentrate on learning and remembering new and important things.

Take advantage of smart phone reminders, calendars and planners, maps, shopping lists, file folders, and address books to keep routine information accessible.

Designate a place at home for your glasses, purse, keys, and other items you use often. When you want to remember something you've just heard, read, or thought about, repeat it out loud or write it down.

That way, you reinforce the memory or connection. For example, if you've just been told someone's name, use it when you speak with him or her: "So, John, where did you meet Camille? According to the CDC , any amount of physical activity can help. You should aim for minutes of moderately intensive physical activity a week.

Studies have proven that lack of sleep is detrimental to the mental and physical health of both humans and animals because it is when we sleep that our memories are consolidated and we can make the most of insightful thinking. During REM sleep, we are dreaming and forming procedural memories.

During non-REM deep sleep, we are forming declarative memories. According to the experts, the perfect amount of sleep is 7 hours a night as this is when we display the highest cognitive performance.

Those who get between 6 to 8 hours a night have a higher volume of grey matter throughout the brain. It has also been demonstrated that more sleep than the ideal 6 to 8 hours can actually have detrimental effects, so aim for around 7 hours a night for the best results.

A scientific approach to improving brain function includes mapping the brain, measuring and recording activity, and then using stimulation to rewire and improve the way your brain is working. One of the many benefits of outpatient care includes this kind of immersive monitoring, though there can be pros and cons to neurorehabilitation.

At FHE Health, our Neuro Rehab program combines the latest in EEG measurement and recording with cutting-edge electrical and vibrational stimulation to help you understand more about the inner workings of your mind on a scientific level.

To start, we use electroencephalography also known as an EEG to measure and record the electrical activity in the brain so we can pinpoint any activity outside the norm.

This can show us the physical changes that might have occurred from substance misuse disorder and alcohol addiction. Using a computer simulation to map brainwaves, we can see the dysregulation of sensory information processes that happen when dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain are affected.

One study found that Go players, especially those of high master level, had exceptional cognitive reflection test CRT scores, outperforming previous measurements of undergraduates at top universities.

Frequent Go players also tended to possess a stronger theory of mind, which is the ability to understand and attribute mental states, like beliefs and emotions, to yourself and others, contributing to their social cognitive skills.

Bridge is a card game that involves critical thinking, memory, and strategic decision-making. It can be an enjoyable way to keep your brain sharp. An older study of people ages suggests that playing bridge may improve working memory and reasoning, but not vocabulary and reaction time.

Brain exercises, from chess to dual n-back training, serve as dynamic tools to keep our minds agile and resilient.

But research is mixed and further. They may enhance memory, problem-solving, and cognitive abilities. They may also contribute to structural changes in the brain, fostering neural reserve.

For convenient access, explore online platforms and make enhancing cognitive abilities a regular part of your routine. Your brain will thank you for the workout! Neuroplasticity may mean your brain can grow and heal on its own.

If you're living with a mental health condition, your brain's ability to regenerate…. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can change your brain. Research says yes. Researchers have found that years of meditation can change the structure and function of the brain.

Here's how. Creating a schedule and managing stress are ways to make your days go by faster. Changing your perception of time can also improve your overall…. Experiencing unwanted and difficult memories can be challenging. But learning how to replace negative memories with positive ones may help you cope.

There are many reasons why spider dreams may occur, like unresolved feelings or chronic stress. Learning how to interpret your dream may help you cope. Tornado dreams are manifestations of the subconscious mind that may indicate various interpretations, such as personal fears or major life changes.

Work burnout occurs due to chronic stress and other factors, such as long work hours or toxic workplace culture.

But help is available for you to cope. If you dream about someone dying this may occur for various reasons, such as life changes or dealing with grief. But support is available to help you….

Domestic Violence Screening Quiz Emotional Type Quiz Loneliness Quiz Parenting Style Quiz Personality Test Relationship Quiz Stress Test What's Your Sleep Like? Psych Central.

Conditions Discover Quizzes Resources. Medically reviewed by Tiffany Taft, PsyD — By Traci Pedersen on November 27, New language Active reading Mindfulness Chess Dual n-back Crosswords Sudoku Go Bridge Recap Engaging in brain exercises, such as completing a sudoku puzzle, enhances cognitive abilities, boosts memory, and promotes overall mental well-being.

Learning a new language. Active reading and note-taking. Mindful breathing meditation. Strategic online chess. Dual n-back training. Crossword puzzles. Anderson J AE, et al. Effects of bilingualism on white matter integrity in older adults.

Role of prefrontal cortex during Sudoku task: fNIRS study. Computerized games versus Crosswords training in mild cognitive impairment.

Mind sports: Exploring motivation and use of cognitive strategies in bridge. Does mindfulness-based intervention improve cognitive function? Impact of note-taking mediums on memory recognition. Cognitive reflection and theory of mind of Go players.

Do the benefits of chess instruction transfer to academic and cognitive skills? A meta-analysis. Dual n-back training improves functional connectivity of the right inferior frontal gyrus at rest.

Mindful breath awareness meditation facilitates efficiency gains in brain networks: A steady-state visually evoked potentials study. The game of bridge as an exercise in working memory and reasoning. Conversely, a low-carb diet helps you improve your mental acuity by preventing these sugar spikes.

Try swapping out carb sources for protein or fat sources instead. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids — like fish— have also been proven to aid cognition.

Meditation helps you slow down and focus. You breathe deeply and slowly, reducing your heart rate and getting rid of tension. Thirty minutes of meditation a day —b oth morning and night — can really help you improve your mental capacity and acuity.

Fire one up and follow the simple steps to gain control of your brain and keep it sharp. A break gives you a chance to recharge your mental batteries and avoid putting your mind under constant stress. Spend this time relaxing and taking care of yourself.

In effect, you lighten the load on your brain, which prevents a cognitive decline. Exercise helps mental acuity in many ways. For one, exercising requires a great deal of focus and concentration.

It also reduces stress and releases endorphins that make you feel happy. Try and set a schedule where you exercise for an hour at least three times per week. Also, start walking more instead of driving everywhere — this helps you stay active.

The best brain supplement will include natural nootropic ingredients that we will outline in the section below. Be sure to avoid any supplements that are less than clear about what is in them. Supplements like Magic Mind have natural, proven ingredients that enhance your mental function.

Magic Mind combats the negative effects of aging and helps to improve mood, focus, and memory. Adding some natural ingredients to your daily life can improve mental sharpness. Many natural ingredients are proven to affect mental acuity positively.

To understand how we need to look at the top nootropics around:. Adding these ingredients to your diet can help nourish your brain and boost your mental sharpness. Your memory will improve, as will your ability to concentrate on tasks without getting distracted.

Related: Magic properties, Real ingredients. Blue light is part of the light spectrum and usually refers to light traveling at short wavelengths. Some studies show that exposure to blue light can help you feel more alert and focused.

It can also help you process and retain information more effectively. The problem is that too much blue light can do the opposite. Most people know that staring at screens can disrupt your sleep. So, how do you find the right balance and gain the brain benefits of blue light?

Walk around for a few minutes during the day, and you naturally reap the benefits. A productivity drink like Magic Mind can boost your mental sharpness. Well, it goes back to the section on natural ingredients.

This drink is full of nootropics and natural things that are all geared towards brain health. It contains both matcha and turmeric, alongside other nootropics like phosphatidylserine and choline , to improve blood flow and cognition. In essence, these active ingredients help you stimulate focus, feel more creative, improve information processing, and decrease stress.

All of this leads to a sharper mind and a better memory. Mental acuity will decrease as we age, but you can put a stop to this. Learn how to increase mental sharpness to improve your mental health. As a result, the rest of your life will improve as well.

Are you Looking for more ways to sharpen your mind? Magic Mind shares great insights on mental sharpening and offers the world's first Productivity Drink to help. Buy Now. Find In Store. Your cart is empty. Learn Buy Now Find In Store Login.

Fri, Feb 26, What is Mental Acuity? Memory Storage Your ability to remember information is dependent on your information processing power. Attention Our ability to focus on a task and account for incoming external stimulation is central to what we deem our attention.

Situational Judgment Making sound decisions based on our best judgment in situations is central to how well we operate in our everyday lives.

What Causes a Drop in Mental Acuity? Drugs or Medication Both legal and illegal drugs can alter your mind permanently , sometimes contributing to a mental decline over time. Many prescription medications can lower acuity in the short term, but the benefits are likely more important than a temporary drop in mental acuity.

Environmental Factors External factors can affect our mental acuity as well, such as our air and water quality. Lifestyle Factors Our diet, physical activity, choice of other activities all play a part in how sharp our minds are.

Blood Circulation Poor blood circulation can cause a drop in mental acuity. Improper blood circulation will effectively starve the brain over time. Circadian Rhythms Sleep and our circadian rhythm play an important role in how acute we are every day.

Get more sleep Lack of sleep dramatically diminishes your mental acuity. Eat a low-carb diet Eating foods high in carbohydrates can often cause massive blood sugar spikes.

Daily meditation Meditation helps you slow down and focus. Exercise Exercise helps mental acuity in many ways. What Is the Best Brain Supplement? How natural ingredients affect mental acuity?

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