How to Improve Your Brain Power!

Your mind, like the rest of your body, needs exercise to function well. You can strengthen your memory and increase your creative ability with some practical and easy steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Brain Exercises:
   1. Do word puzzles or play games like bridge and chess to keep you mind sharp!
   2. Do not use a calculator to add, subtract, divide and multiply!
   3. Memorize something: a poem, song, or bible verse every week.
2. Keep your mind creative:
   1. Think young! Use the curiosity of a child and follow your interests. Learn a new craft, take dance lessons or learn to play an instrument.
   2. Don't limit yourself to being one type of person. Expand who you are! Supermom can be a successful business woman, and executives can pursue little league coaching. Anything that will push your comfort level to a new degree of personal growth.
   3. Keep a pen and paper in every room of your house so that you can jot down ideas as they come immediately. Investigate any idea you might come up with. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Trying new ideas means exposing yourself to pitfall, but also keeps you on your toes.
3. Memory Tricks:
   1. You are more likely to forget something you are not interested in, so convince yourself of the importance of remember things.
   2. Talk to yourself! Research suggests that memory is improved by adding voice to your thoughts. Repeat out-loud any instructions or directions you are given.
   3. To keep in mind up coming events discuss them with friends and families.
   4. Make up odd rhymes to aid your memory. Use word association or use a favorite tune to aid your memory.
   5. Tension can interfere with memory so learning relaxation techniques will help you think clearly and recall things better.
   6. Physical exercise is good for the brain. Any aerobic fitness program can help preserve memory.
4. Remembering Names:
   Many people find it difficult to remember names, but using these tricks will help you stay focused when you are introduced.
   1. Make associations with the name. Use celebrity names, colors, occupation or things to identify with.
   2. Rhyme the name in your mind.
   3. If appropriate ask the person the origin of their family name. This will give you further reference point.
   4. Most important, use the person's name in conversation.

Tips & Warnings

• To encourage creativity talk to encouraging people!