Mixing up your routine in these simple ways can do wonders for your brain,
mood, and future.
Switch hands
Use your nondominant hand to do daily tasks like brushing your teeth or
clicking the computer mouse. This simple change promotes the growth of neurons
in the brain, which can sharpen memory and thinking.
“It’ll give your brain the regular workout it needs to stay healthy,” says
life coach and Health columnist M. J. Ryan, author of
AdaptAbility: How to Survive Change You Didn’t Ask For (in bookstores in
May).
Engage your senses
Get dressed with your eyes closed. One night at dinner, communicate only
nonverbally (that’s right, no
words). By relying on different senses, you create more neurons in your brain
and get more creative.
Try something fresh
It doesn’t have to be anything big—a free class at a dance center, a new
recipe. You begin to think, I can do this! And that can lead to even greater
accomplishments. When you learn a new skill, your brain actually builds new
circuitry.
“Think of it as mental cross-training,” Ryan says.
Ask: What’s right about this?
“How you frame something can change everything,” Ryan says. Try to consider
the sunny side of a situation rather than focusing on what’s wrong with it. So
if it’s pouring rain, instead of stressing about getting drenched, think
of the good it will do for your garden.
The result: A more optimistic and inventive you who can take on just about
anything.
