​The human brain is a constantly evolving entity that controls your conscious and subconscious mind, as well as your thoughts, moods, and actions. It stores short- and long-term memories and shapes your identity, but if this little organ stops working, so does your life. So, you need to feed your brain to keep it functioning well. According to neurologist Mary Basinski, MD, this can be achieved through exercise, a good diet, mental stimulation, and social engagement. Honing skills, such as building your vocabulary, creative writing, and learning a language, can also boost your mental energy. 

So, if you want to improve your mental abilities, boost your cognitive thinking and improve your memory, try the following:

1. Meditation:

Meditation involves sitting in a quiet, peaceful place, closing your eyes, and taking five or more deep breaths to increase awareness. By inhaling and exhaling deeply, the mind can relax and prepare for any upcoming mental activities. Meditation also reduces stress and calms the body, allowing the mind to process information with ease.

2. Physical exercise:

Set aside time to exercise each day to improve brain function, as exercise stimulates the release of happiness hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin in particular. Exercising more reduces stress hormones.

3. Learn something new:

The best way to exercise your brain is to challenge it by doing something you've never done before. Do something unusual and challenging like playing chess, playing tennis, coloring, etc.

4. Writing:

Writing is a useful and therapeutic activity that can boost your mental energy. Writing is a skill that stimulates your analytical ability as well as your creativity.

5. Music:

Listening to music clears the mind and reduces stress.

6. Laughter:

Laughter releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which reduce stress and stimulate new ideas in the brain.

7. Healthy diet:

Food has a significant impact on brain function. Healthy brain foods include nuts (walnuts, cashews), green vegetables (kale, spinach, avocado), fish (salmon, cod), and berries (strawberries, blueberries).   

8. Sleep:

Getting 8 to 10 hours of rest at night can help regenerate cells, improve memory, stimulate creativity, enhance problem-solving abilities, and activate critical thinking skills.

9. Stress Management:

Managing stress through relaxation techniques (yoga, deep breathing, meditation) protects brain cells and enhances memory and learning.

10. Social integration:

Sometimes, doing fun activities with friends, like watching a comedy movie or having a barbecue, can boost your mental energy and improve your memory. Friends and social gatherings can greatly enhance cognitive skills.

Remember that incorporating these ideas into your daily routine will have a huge impact on your mental abilities, just be patient and persistent.