There are a lot of methods and techniques for building brain power that are available to people. From improving memory and concentration to stress reduction, some of these techniques are time-tested and effective, whereas others are unsound and ineffective. Based upon my personal experiences, I have discovered two powerful methods of building my brain power that work especially well for me. In the future, there are also two more techniques that I would like to try in order to further improve my cognitive powers.
In many instances, I have felt that my emotions have disturbed my ability to use logic, and make clear decisions. From my experiences, however, I have learned to trust my emotions, especially my intuitive faculty. I have found that logic has limitations, and that not every situation in life has a logical solution, or can be thought through to its logical conclusion. Many times, we distrust our intuition, only to find out later that our initial hunch about a situation was right. In fact, much of a person's childhood is spent learning to distrust our intuition and emotions. While logic is important, a balanced approach to problem-solving needs to be utilized. As Chapter 12 stated, we are not logic machines, due to the fact that it is organized to process logic along with emotions.
Another powerful brain building tool is stress reduction. While stress is inevitable, we should not allow its harmful consequences to ruin our brains and our lives. Thus, I have tried to ward off the negative effects of too much stress by meditation. By focusing only on my breath twice a day for 15 minutes each session, I have found that I am able to think clearer, feel better, and have more energy throughout the day. According to Kuchinskas (2016), one study found that increased electrical activity in the left frontal lobe helped beginning meditators become more optimistic after only eight weeks of practice. (Kuchinskas, internet). Moreover, I am more able to cope with stressful events, such as academic pressures and financial stressors. I strongly believe that meditation has made me a calmer, more rational being.
In the future, I would like to try to be more permissive with my brain. That is, I would like to just let my brain be my brain, without trying to control its thoughts and emotions too much -- by micromanaging its functions. Some of the effects of such conscious control are difficulties in focus and concentration, memory weaknesses, organizational problems, mood disorders, performance anxiety, and lack of follow-through. All of these problems can be prevented by knowledge of the brain's machinery. Again, just letting the brain "be" is important, and letting go of excessive control is healthy, thereby reducing the effects of stress. One study even found that "letting go" -- a process that comes with normal aging -- helps adults cope with adverse life conditions better, conditions that often create regret in younger adults (Huffington Post, internet). Thus, letting things be is an effective tool for building brain power.
Although it sounds counter-intuitive, I would also like to try improving my mental hygiene in the future -- by paying less attention to my emotions. One way I can accomplish this task is by working to strengthen some of the connections between various regions of the brain, overall. According to Goudreau (2012), we can improve our affective responses to external stimuli through practice. Thus, our emotional responses are less bothersome, and we can function more or less optimally with practice. Again, certain types of meditation, such as deep breathing, are recommended in order to improve self-awareness (Goudreau, internet).
Finally, while I have tried a handful of things to improve and build my brain power, there are also techniques that I would like to utilize in the future, especially "letting go" and strengthening my affective responses. I strongly believe that these techniques have helped me with a number of cognitive weaknesses, such as memory problems. Moreover, I am confident that, as time goes on and I become more experienced, I can build my brain power even more.
References
Goudreau, J. (2016). The emotional life of the brain. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/jennagoudreau/2012/04/26/the-emotional-life-of-the- brain/#7a645fe12b20
Huffpost Healthy Living. (20 Apr, 2012). (n.p.). Letting go of regrets is better for emotionally healthy aging: study. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/20/regret- emotional-health-age-letting-go_n_1438076.html
Kuchinskas, S. Meditation heals body and mind. WebMD. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/meditation-heals-body-and-mind
