Long before biologists knew anything about our capacity to form new neural networks and grow new brain cells well into our golden years, Thomas Edison argued that genius was “10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.” Today, his assertion is supported by powerful evidence that continual learning and intense focus can actually make us smarter.
If your brain is feeling sluggish these days, step outside your comfort zone. Consider taking a course in a subject that you know nothing about—anything from Nuclear Physics to 19th Century Norwegian Poetry. Download free
university lectures from iTunes or enroll in online courses through websites such as www.Coursera.org.
You can also boost your brainpower through exercise and a healthy diet, as the mind and body are integrally bound. A recent study at the University of Illinois found that regular exercise can boost the size of an adult’s hippocampus, the part of the brain where new memories are formed, by 2%!
Leave a Reply