Article for a blog to link to their math quiz website

I was contacted by a writer to create an article focused on 3 ways to increase memory, attention, and focus that was to be published on their math quiz website. I designed the layout and created content for the article.

If you feel you are wanting to learn new skills to help improve your brain's functioning, then you have come to the right place. Learning and growing seem to be constants in life. Our muscles and bodies grow as we age, our knowledge base increases, and so it seems understandable that our brains need to grow too. In order to protect against memory loss and lack of attention, certain skills need to be practiced regularly.

Three main ways that someone could increase their mental capabilities are through brain training, mindfulness, and getting more sleep.

Did you know that playing certain types of games can actually improve your memory and focus? Research has shown that choosing a challenging game allows space for your brain to grow. Stimulating different neural pathways in your brain will allow new connections to be made and therefore, improving memory and focus. The games you choose need to be complex and practiced often. Like a muscle, your brain will not grow and get stronger without consistent practice.

Some games you can try:

Math games

Memory Recall Games

Sudoku

Chess

Not sure if these games will have lasting benefits? Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found long-term improvements in memory and attention if the mind games are practiced regularly!

Calming your mind can also allow for improved memory and attention. Since our brains are like a muscle, they also need a break. A muscle cannot function at full capacity if it is constantly being worked without a break. Similarly, if your brain is working full steam ahead, flipping through numerous thoughts, and attending to multiple different stimuli, then it will never get the chance to recuperate. Our brains are put through a lot of stress during the day and need to be allowed to rest.

Mindfulness is the act of being fully present in whatever you are doing. This is practiced by being intensely aware of thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment without judging them.

Ways to practice mindfulness include:

Meditation

Paying Attention

Breathing Techniques

Mindfulness Walks

According to the Mindfulness Association, we spend 50% of our waking days not focused on what is in front of us. This means that half of our days are being spent daydreaming or mind wandering. These mindful techniques can greatly help in reducing this percentage by bringing awareness to thoughts and sensations while letting them freely flow without taking up all of our attention.

Another way to rest your brain so that it can work at its peak performance is to simply get more sleep. Yes, you heard that right. Getting more sleep can help aid information processing pathways in your brain as well as allow you to remain more focused throughout the day. On average, it is suggested that adults should spend seven to nine hours asleep every night.

Ever heard of memory consolidation? Well, this occurs while you sleep and helps to form and store memories. A lack of sleep disrupts this process and could be a reason as to why you can't remember where you last put your keys.

Sleep also allows the brain to "turn off," allowing for active neural pathways to rest. Back to the analogy of a muscle, our brains cannot function properly if they are not allowed to have rest days (or nights).

Overall, there are different ways in which you can learn, grow, and adapt. Brain training, mindfulness, and getting more sleep are three simple ways that you can start doing today so that you can remember and focus tomorrow. Implementing some of these skills into a daily routine can have lasting benefits and aid in an improved lifestyle. Who wouldn't want to play math games so that they could improve their memory and focus? More importantly, who wouldn’t mind being more present in their conversations and daily activities? You are the creator of your own reality and you get to decide your next steps. You've got this!

Meta-Title: A Guide to Improving Your Mind:

Meta-Description: Does your brain feel foggy? Are certain tasks becoming difficult to focus on? Dive into simple ways you can protect your brain and improve your memory, attention, and focus.