Feeling frazzled? Follow these three simple steps to a sharper brain

There’s more to improving our grey matter than Sudoku. Follow our three-step guide to a better brain in a month… Our brains are a staggering feat of engineering. From the third week of gestation to old age, our grey matter is changing constantly. Its size increases fourfold before we hit school age and by age six, it has reached 90% of adult volume. On the downside, our brain reaches peak performance between 16-25, after which cognitive decline kicks in. We may find it tricky learning new skills and struggle to recall names. Before you panic, you’ll be relieved to hear that you can make proactive lifestyle changes, which will sharpen your brain in 28 days – yes, really – and could also reduce the risk of developing dementia and other cognitive impairments by 33%. All it takes is three simple steps: decluttering, de-stressing and retraining. “The brain is just like any other body part – it needs to be looked after and exercised in order to stay fit, strong and functioning effectively,” says neuroradiologist Dr Emer Macsweeney. 1. Declutter your brain Our brains can store as much information as the entire internet – mind-blowing indeed. While being informed is never bad, overstimulation can be – the brain’s ability to problem-solve decreases and neurons can be destroyed. “When we have a clearer mind we’re able to make better decisions,” says clinical hypnotherapist Fiona Lamb. “By decluttering, our mind becomes sharper – clearing the old for the new.” How? Follow these steps… Do a digital detox “Endless calls and notifications are addictive,” says life coach Carole Ann Rice. Take time away from your phone – read, go for a walk or meet a friend – and avoid taking it into the bedroom. Download the space app, £1.99 (iTunes), too. It encourages […]

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