guido We all know it: suddenly you cannot recall the name of the neighbour who has lived next door for years. You read an article and moments later cannot remember what it said. Or you arrive at the top of the stairs having forgotten why you went up. No cause for alarm, but nicer if it happens less. The good news: keeping your brain fit costs practically no time.
Small changes instead of big projects
A fit brain means more than a good memory: concentration and planning belong to it too. And no, you do not need to learn a language or take up an instrument. Even if puzzles are not your thing, small changes to daily routines train your head beautifully. Think of it as taking the stairs instead of the lift: a small effort that keeps you fit.
Three exercises for today
- Brush your teeth with your other hand. Right-handed people use left, and vice versa. A routine action suddenly activates different parts of the brain.
- Eat or shower with your eyes closed. You involve senses that normally barely participate, and processing sensory input is one of your brain’s core tasks.
- Switch seats at the dinner table, or take a different route to work. Turning off the autopilot creates fresh stimuli and keeps the head awake.
The principle behind all three: slightly altering familiar routines gives the brain a mini workout. Small, free, and surprisingly effective as a habit.
FISH-FREE
Food for thought: the role of DHA
Training is one side, nutrition the other. The brain is roughly 60% fat, and the omega-3 fatty acid DHA is a key building block in it. DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function, at a daily intake of 250 mg. That fits in one capsule of Testa Omega-3, straight from algae. Whether you take in enough, the omega-3 index self-test will tell you.
Daily DHA for your brain function
One plant-based capsule a day, over 450 mg of DHA and EPA from algae oil.
Good for you. Good for the ocean.
Authorised health claim (EFSA): DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function, at a daily intake of 250 mg.