Boost your brainpower with these simple tips
<p>Use it or lose it, so they say. When it comes to your brain, exercise is needed for it to stay at peak performance. Try these simple ways to make yourself smarter.</p>
<p><strong>1. Listen to classical music</strong></p>
<p>Spend time each day listening to uplifting classical tunes such as Mozart or Beethoven. It helps to put you in a positive frame of mind and your brain actually positively responds to it.</p>
<p><strong>2. Use your less dominant hand</strong></p>
<p>If you are right handed, try performing some everyday tasks with your left hand. For instance writing, using toilet paper, brushing your hair. It takes a little more concentration but you can generally complete the task, perhaps just a little slower than with your dominant hand.</p>
<p><strong>3. Sleep in a dark room</strong></p>
<p>Use blackout blinds and remove any unnecessary lighting from your room such as stereos on standby. A darker room means a better night’s sleep, which your brain needs to recharge.</p>
<p><strong>4. Choose activities that make you concentrate</strong></p>
<p>Instead of choosing the easy option, try making things a little harder for yourself. For instance, watch a foreign film, find your way in the car with an old fashioned map (not GPS), and try to work out an answer instead of looking online. </p>
<p><strong>5. Play with dice and word games</strong></p>
<p>Crosswords, Yahtzee, Sudoku, Scrabble – all of these are great for boosting your brainpower. Turn off the television and start a game with the family.</p>
<p>How do you keep your brain active? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments.</p>
