Your brain is a powerful thing. Finding ways to boost your brain power and challenge yourself shouldn’t be a chore. Below are 10 easy things that you can start incorporating into your life to keep your mind in the best shape possible because after all; knowledge is power and intellectual wellness will get you far in life.

1. Ask for Advice/Help

Asking for advice can be hard. We constantly think we can get through life on our own and sure, we probably can, but why make things harder on ourselves? Asking for advice and help from others helps us see other perspectives and allows us to come together. Get other opinions and thoughts because it may shed light on topics for you.

2. Travel

Go see the world. Visit other communities and regions. Learn about other cultures, languages, foods, lifestyles, etc. This will not only boost your brainpower on the world but help you determine what you like and don’t like when it comes to living styles.

3. Listen When Others Talk

You will never really know who the smartest person in the room is because how is “being smart” measured? It’s very subjective because everyone has their own ways of being smart. Listening when others talk is a great way to boost your brainpower. You can get pieces of information that you may have not known otherwise or learned more about other people’s mannerisms that you may like or dislike. There is always something to gain from other people talking.

4. Read Something Every day

Reading stimulates the mind and keeps it active. The brain should be treated like a muscle that needs to be worked out. Read something every day to keep it in shape. You can read books, research articles, blogs, short stories, etc. As long as you are reading something that has a purpose, you will be keeping that mind of yours in tip-top shape!

5. Exercise

Engaging in physical activities stimulates the mind, making it easier to learn and remembering things. Exercising increases blood flow to the brain which allows for more oxygen to be transported there, which ultimately boosts your brain’s functionality. So, just start dancing around! It serves as more than just a fun way to burn some calories! Whoop! Whoop!

6. Journal

Create a journal and write in it at least a few times a week. This will allow you to decompress your thoughts and be able to think more clearly. Journaling is a great way to increase your memory skills as well as your writing skills. Sometimes a good brain dump is all you need to declutter your mind.

7. Meditate

Meditation brings clarity to the mind. It helps with decision making and though processing. Taking some time to meditate will help you feel fresh and ready to learn. It doesn’t mean you have to sit in silence for an hour with your legs crossed and hands properly positioned; just take a few moments to sit in silence to collect yourself and then return to your day.

8. Listen to TED Talks

I used to think TED Talks were just something teachers made us watch in high school until I realized how stinkin’ amazing they are! There are topics on just about anything and each talk/speaker gives so much value. TED Talks are generally shorter videos that empower people and give an ample amount of information that is completely retainable. Watch a TED Talk every now and then to get information on new topics and to feel inspired.

9. Eat Brain Boost Foods

Eat foods that serve your mind and are high in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants. These three things are excellent at supporting brain health. Incorporating these into your everyday diet will make it easier to learn, focus, and retain information. Try adding some of these foods into your diet: leafy green vegetables, nuts, fatty fish, berries, eggs, whole grains, coffee, avocado, and broccoli.

10. Listen to Podcasts

I used to think I could never enjoy podcasts, but boy, was I wrong! Who knew there were so many podcasts out there?! I mean seriously, there is a podcast for just about any topics you could think of! Now that I have found a few that I love, I can’t stand listening to the radio anymore! It just feels like wasted time! Listening to podcasts will give you a chance to passively learn new things. Maybe it’s how to make something, or views on topic of interest, or just random facts, podcasts allow you to listen and learn while doing other tasks like driving, cleaning, and cooking.