Practice these simple habits to unlock your full cognitive potential.

by Jari Roomer/Medium

Jim Kwik is a renowned expert on memory and brain improvement.

In his book Limitless, he shares valuable insights and techniques to unlock your full cognitive potential.

“Your brain is capable of amazing things. With the right techniques and a little bit of effort, you can unlock your full cognitive potential and achieve success in every area of your life,” writes Jim Kwik.

In this article, we’ll share the four daily habits recommended in Limitless to build a better, faster-working brain.

Rest Your Brain Through Sleep

A good night’s sleep (7–9 hours) will help you focus, think more clearly, and make better decisions.

It’s also essential to improve your memory, as during sleep your brain consolidates from short to long-term memory.

As Jim Kwik said in Limitless:

“Without adequate sleep, your brain cannot function at its best. It’s like trying to drive a car on an empty tank of gas. Make sure you’re getting the sleep your brain needs to perform at its best.”

Lack of sleep causes short-term cognitive impairment (brain fog, slower thinking, lack of focus) and can even lead to long-term cognitive decline (the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease).

Exercise Your Brain With Mental Challenges

The best way to keep your brain sharp and avoid mental stagnation is to expose yourself to new information, learn new things, and stretch your cognitive capabilities to their limits.

For example:

• Develop new skills
• Learn a new language (I’m currently learning Spanish)
• Put yourself in new, unfamiliar situations
• Work on big goals that stretch your mental capabilities (write a book, build a business, etc.)

As Jim Kwik says, “Your brain needs exercise just as much as your body does. By challenging it with new tasks and information, you can keep your brain sharp and improve its overall function.”

Studies show that you create new brain cells and neuropathways until the day you die.

By regularly performing mental challenges and exposing yourself to new stimuli, you speed up the creation of new brain cells and neuropathways in the brain.

Feed Your Brain The Right Nutrients

Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining a healthy brain.

As Jim Kwik writes, “Your brain is like a high-performance sports car, and the food you eat is like the fuel that powers it. The better the fuel, the better the performance.”

Especially foods that are high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes help to improve brain function.

That’s why Jim Kwik recommends eating brain-boosting foods such as nuts, berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables.

On the other hand, eating highly processed and sugary foods can have a detrimental effect on brain function. These foods cause inflammation in the body, which leads to cognitive decline.

Activate Your Brain Through Physical Exercise

Exercise increases the production of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a crucial role in the growth and survival of brain cells.

Furthermore, exercise also increases blood flow to the brain, which brings oxygen and nutrients to brain cells and helps to remove waste products.

This reduces the risk of cognitive decline and improves the function of brain cells.

“Physical exercise is one of the most powerful ways to boost your brain power, improve your memory and increase your overall cognitive abilities.” — Jim Kwik

Many have noticed a powerful improvement in mental clarity and focus in the hours after having hit the gym.

Photo: Milad Fakurian on Unsplash

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