Building a brighter brain

Five Ways to a brighter brain

We can all maintain and develop a brighter brain; recent research has uncovered many ways in which we can improve by practicing simple activities daily. I have produced a mnemonic for the five basic areas – SPECS. This is not a comprehensive list, but covers the ‘no-brainers’ and as a basic ‘must-do’ guide they are all reliably and scientifically tested.

Social

Our brains work best when we produce positive chemicals. These are released as a result of pleasurable experiences or thoughts. Most normal people produce positive chemicals during social interaction. At best, when socially engaged, the brain builds connections (gets stronger) and responds positively in other areas of thinking capability. At worst, lack of social interaction is known to contribute significantly to dementia. We are designed to be social beings.

Physical

This is as basic as it gets! The brain needs the right fuel (food and drink), exercise and sleep. These basics enable the brain to function properly. Motor skills can be improved through practice (e.g. hand–eye coordination).

Emotional

Our emotional state affects thinking directly. Stress and negative thinking produce unhelpful and damaging chemicals. In some cases, emotional stress can stop the brain from using its thinking powers altogether! Emotional hijack is a term used for this. The brain is perfectly capable of switching off your rational and sensible control if it feels seriously threatened. We have perhaps experienced this during  ‘road-rage’. We also see extreme cases of this on the news when a normal person under pressure has ‘snapped’ and killed others. People around them are often surprised – including the individuals themselves. In a high pressure society this is happening more regularly. Preventing stressful situations is not an option, but knowing how to control our emotional response is vital.

Cognitive

This is the function of ‘knowing’ things. It includes our processing of facts and feelings and the use of memory. The brain knows (recalls) and uses (rationalises) and imagines (possibility thinking) information via our physical senses. We use this integrated knowledge to predict the future, innovate and make judgements for decisions. Verbal, spatial, logic, language and other skills can be learnt and improved. Many online brain sites have entered the market of selling brain training games based on improving these cognitive functions. Specific cognitive skills can be divided into three categories: Those that speed up and enable better sensory input to the brain; those that develop faster and more whole brained processing of the input and those that enable better long term retention, integration and recall of the input.

Typically, sites such as Lumosity or Posit Science focus on games and measures that develop the following skills:

Speed and spontaneity

Focus and ability to hold attention

Memory – short and long term

Adaptability and flexibility

Abstract, metaphorical and conceptual

Fluidity and connective

Rational and intuitive

There is no shortage of online development or ‘apps’ for your iPhone. They certainly could help cognitive development plus they are measurable and fun. However, ability to improve one aspect of cognitive processing (or even several in isolation) does not necessarily lead to overall improved brain function. It is the integration of these functions within a physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually healthy brain state that will bring real results.

Spiritual

Spiritual is a difficult word. It conjures up images of religion or seekers in robes sitting on a mountain top hoping to find themselves. I should define what I mean by spiritual here. In short, it is the way in which we understand the non tangible things that matter in our world. It is an awareness of beliefs that explain our existence. It is also the understanding of ‘greater good’ (altruism) as a necessary and ancient human trait – we are wired to feel good when contributing to something much greater than ourselves. Conscious awareness of our unconscious wiring enables us to be objective as we control our emotions. Our belief systems control the way in which we allow our brains to perceive and so form our reality; understanding this can expand our thought horizons.

If you are at the start of the brain development journey, I suggest you begin by addressing the easy and obvious advice under the other four headings. For many people, these four are as far as they will ever go. Over time, many develop spiritual as a result of reaching a state of wisdom. Most importantly, just get going!

In the next post I will offer simple activities under each heading to build into each day.