Brain Basics

Brain Facts: The human brain weighs about 3 pounds and is 75% water. It uses about 20% of the oxygen in the body. The brain is very complex, but a few Brain regions at Brainfacts.org include the prefrontal cortex which is responsible for executive functions, and the amygdala, where the fight or flight response takes place. There are five kinds of brain waves, and the brain is influenced by chemicals known as neurotransmitters. Amazon affiliate links to books in the post below provide a small commission to help support the Daily PlanIt.

How to optimize your brain:

• Challenge and novelty: David Eagleman TED interview Best thing you can do for your brain (2:27)
• Rest and reduce stress: Lisa Genova Protect Your Brain Big Think video (9:15). Try breath work and meditation. 7 ways meditation can change the brain from Forbes.
• Eat right: Drew Ramsey Optimize your brain Big Think video (7:02). Try a Mediterranean or MIND diet, https://www.brainhealthkitchen.com/recipe-grid/, and add a bit of dark chocolate! Psychology Today says so.
• Exercise: Wendy Suzuki Big Think videos: Workout routine (3:48), 10 minute brain reset (18:11). Harvard School of Medicine says so too.
• Keep track of small wins: Nicole Vignola Reclaim your brain Big Think video (6:25)

Maybe try some brain games.

Scientific American debates the effectiveness at brain games at Brain Games: do they really work. See one man’s experience at Training my Aging Brain from Discover magazine. But if you’d like to try a few just in case, there are some free online brain games at this Pinterest Board.

Books and TED talks:

• “Your Brain at Work” by David Rock, TED Talk Learning About the Brain Changes Everything
• “The Emotional Life of Your Brain” by Richard Davidson, TED talk How mindfulness changes the emotional life of your brain
• “Healing the Modern Brain” by Drew Ramsey, TED talk Feed your mental health
• “Healthy Brain, Healthy Life” by Wendy Suzuki, TED talk The Brain changing effects of exercise
• “Remember” by Lisa Genova, TED talk What would you do if nothing could stop you?
• Sabine Doebel TED talks on executive function and context

More Resources:

• Core Concepts from brainfacts.org, and a downloadable book
• Your Brain at sciencemuseum.org.uk
• Mayo Clinic tips to keep your brain healthy

GREAT Skills are a) in demand in the workplace b) rarely taught, and c) very helpful in all areas of life! The GREAT Skills Trading Cards provide key information from experts for learning these skills. The links below lead to posts at The Daily PlanIt with more resources. This set on the brain and motivation is available for download at slideshare.

The brain and motivation set includes:

• David Rock “Your Brain at Work” + TED Talk “Learning About the Brain Changes Everything“
• Dan Pink “Drive” + TED Talk “The Puzzle of Motivation“
• Simon Sinek “Start With Why” book + TED Talk
• Dan Ariely  “Predictably Irrational” book + TED Talk
• Angela Duckworth “Grit” book + TED Talk
• Sabine Doebel TED talks on executive function and breaking away from habit

You may also be interested in weekly activities for a Year of Personal Growth and resources to develop the top 10 skills employers want. Find more tools the Personal Development Toolkit, including more GREAT Skills Trading Card sets that cover skills you probably didn’t learn in high school (and wish you had).

About dailyplanit

I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.