Wired Magazine published a guide to help improve your memory, sharpen your concentration skills, and grow smarter. The information was so fascinating, I had to share it with you! I’ve edited the article for length and clarity.
Thursday Thirteen #28 – Grow Smarter
1. Distract yourself: Need to learn a crucial fact? The trick is to distract yourself by studying stuff that’s slightly different from whatever you’re trying to learn. Your brain will then work harder to permanently store the original information.
2. Caffeinate with care: To maximize alertness and minimize jitters, try small frequent doses of caffeine. A cup of low-caf tea or half a cup of joe – rather than a one time jolt of caffeine – will enhance your mental performance by keeping you clearheaded and calm.
3. Feed your mind: You can learn vast amount of information. But what to choose? Wired created this handy guide.
4. Think positive: A “growth mindset” creates brain plasticity, more adaptable, thus smarter. What is a growth mindset? “I will persist in the face of setbacks.” People with a growth mindset exhibit increases in cognitive performance compared to people with a “fixed mindset” (‘get defensive or give up easily”).
–Ok, Claudia here: How do you change from a fixed to a growth mindset? Decide to. I’m not kidding. That’s what the research shows – just decide you are going to persist despite setbacks. Yep – easy peasy.
5. How to Juice your IQ score: Wanna get that great paying job? You better ace your IQ test. (You also need to be in kick ass shape.) Any standardized test has tricks. If you are up for an IQ test, check out Philip Carter’s “IQ and Psychometric Test Workbook
6. Know your brain: Let’s face it. We really have no idea how the brain works. What we do know, however, is fascinating. Take some time to learn what the cortex, thalamus, hippocampus, amygdala, and hypothalamus do. Have PTSD? You need to learn about Amygdala, Right Temporal Lobe and Broca’s area. Trust me. It will help.
7. Don’t Panic: When stressed, “(y)our IQ plummets. Your creativity, your sense of humor – all of that disappears. You’re stupid,” according to Edward Hallowell, MD (and great guy) author of Crazy Busy
8. Embrace Chaos: One way to learn better is to mix up the information. Research shows that people learn better when they learn it in random chunks of information.
9. Get visual: Use spacial relationships for geography by (1) breaking up the map, (2) give each piece an association/identity, (3) put together the pieces until you reach the whole. Try it. It works.
10. Exercise wisely: Aerobic training gets blood to your brain. Yoga helps reduce stress thus may help improve memory. Studying on the Stair Master? Nope – doesn’t work.
11. Slow down: Research shows that the slower you read, the better you will do at comprehension tests. Reading a novel? Blaze away. Trying to cram for an exam, slow down.
12. Myths about learning:
a. Video games don’t make you smarter – even Nintendo’s “Brain Age”
b. Crossword puzzles won’t fend off senility. Sorry.
c. Eating fish will not make you smarter.
d. Chewing gum is only distracting, not IQ enhancing.
e. Memory enhancing music only makes you depressed and forgetful according to a recent study.
f. Supplements won’t make you smarter.
13. What works for you? What do you do to keep your brain healthy? Write it in the comments and I’ll add it to the post!
- Adelle Lauden talks to her “teen about what they learned in school today.”
- Susan Helen Gottfried sorts out her personal relationships.
- Furious Ball had “found reading GOOD books has helped me stay sharp, at least I sound sharp. I think.”
- Linda R. Moore “start(s) the day with a sudoko. The puzzle seems to warm my mind muscles up.”
- The other great Claudia says that “when I?m learning something new and haven?t quite gotten it, I can actually feel my brain struggling as it tries to form those new synapses!!”
- Nicole Austin says that “when (she) was trying to memorize facts for x-ray school, (she) had to visualize them.”
- GdayBloke says: “Thank heavens for Sudoku.”
- Another great Claudia “does yoga – it really helps me clear my mind and let in the good stuff.”
- No Nonsense Girl has “found that reading a lot and wanting to learn new things has kept my head busy!”
- Journeywoman “knits and think of things that way.”
- Janet doesn’t “drink to excess?usually.”
- Tommie “eats. as organically and healthy as possible.”
- Colleen says, “eggs in the morning and meditation in the evening” are her trick.
- Odat reminds us that everyone is unique by saying, “My brain works best under pressure.”
- Puss Reboots “read(s) and write(s) daily. (She) also try to answer (her) son?s questions.”
- Darla says, “to keep myself sharp, I like to try new things. Ruts will definitely deaden brain cells.”
- Tips and Tricks “read(s) and play(s) crossword puzzle. Sometimes I pick a word and form different words from any or all of its letters -in different order. ..and I give it some time to rest, too.”
- CEO “read(s) quality material and (doesn’t) waste (his) time on crap.”
- Jameil “take(s) study dance breaks. when i?ve crammed and crammed and crammed i STOP! HAMMER TIME! maybe not that precise dance but it?s a brain break!”
- Bethany “teach(s) pre-schoolers so they keep me on my toes.”
- HRH “does so much better if (she) hear(s) something. (She) also learn better in very quiet areas.”
- Ivanhoe remembered “that visualizing while studying helped.”
- Tammy says, “one of my tricks was to do new things.”
- Sue “meditation works for me.”
- She “reads anything she can get her hands on.”
- Storyteller says, “to keep my brain healthy I meditate, exercise, eat right, read, write, pray and listen attentively.”
- Julia reflects “I?ve always done my homework while doing something else. And when I write, I listen to music or watch something on TV. It?s always helped me stay anchored to what I was really doing.”
- Mary T says, “blogging keeps your brain active and thus able to remember better.”
- Bethanie does two things: 1) I color code EVERYTHING.? 2) If I?m trying to force something into permanent memory, I have to write it down.”
- Amethyst says, “When I am stressed out, I try to do something creative or artistic. This always helps me to relax.”
- Heart in SF says, “I don?t watch a lot of mind-numbing TV, but I read a lot. Sometimes I entertain myself by mentally adding up the prices of the groceries in my shopping cart just to see how close I can come, and I try to form word associations to help me remember things.”
- Grace says, “I feel I can think sharply and clearly after a workout session.”
- Los Angelista says, “I hold one of my arms out straight, with my thumb up and in line with my nose. I then make figure 8?s in the air and follow the motion with my eyes. I do 20 and then switch to the other hand and do 20 more.”
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View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
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Talk to a teen about what they learned in school today. It’s a great way to test your memory. Happy T13!
You mentioned you hate the theme of my Thirteen this week. Do you mean that Thirteens now have suggested themes, or do you hate MY theme?
Trying to figure this out is DEFINITELY going to make me smarter. I’m confuzzed.
i’ve really found reading GOOD books has helped me stay sharp, at least i sound sharp i think
Very interesting list. Great TT. I sure need to use some of these techniques. The older I get the less I remember. LOL!! Happy TT.
Are you sure #1 is true? That’s fascinatng.
I don’t know how closely this fits in with #12e, but I never have music on when I’m studying or writing. It just distracts. I prefer silence.
Whee! Fascinating summary — thank you!
I start the day with a sudoko. The puzzle seems to warm my mind muscles up
I have three TTs this week:
http://www.ravensrides.com (scroll back a bit)
what to do when your battery explodes
http://www.ravensroads.com
13 favorite pics from April– pick one!
http://www.markeroni.com/blog/
13 favorite historic landmarks in April
I cannot abide gum chewing!
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
Adelle Lauden – Great point. Teenagers do know everything!
Susan Helen Gottfried – I left you a message at your blog – I love your blog, Trevor and west of mars. I do not love having themed TTs.
Furiousball – That’s a great point – good reads help!
Michelle – I think we have to work at it.
Nicholas – Yes. It’s interesting how people are different. I always have music on…
SJ Reidhead – Well it won’t make you smarter either!
Thanks for the clarification. That’s what I thought, but figured it was better to ask.
And besides, being confused might have made me smarter. I feel it. Does it show?
Love the list, but I do have to say I find the list from Wired a bit biased!! How is knowing HTML considered embarrassing? And why is knowing feline breeds embarrassing but canine breeds impressive??
it’s interesting though…when I’m learning something new and haven’t quite gotten it, I can actually feel my brain struggling as it tries to form those new synapses!!
great suggestions! When I was trying to memorize facts for x-ray school, I had to visualize them. Worked great. I also played a CD called Mozart Makes You Smarter when studying. For some reason the music helped me absorb the informtion quicker.
Good advice but it comes far too late. Where were you when I was in college?
Reading keeps me sharp and smart and sleeping enough definitely helps me be more in tune to things and also helps with the memory!
Thank heavens for Sudoku
I didn’t know that about IQ and stress. And exercise. Hmm….Some great info, Claudia. Thanks.
You always have the best, amazing TTs. This was so informative. Thanks.
I do yoga – it really helps me clear my mind and let in the good stuff.
I also do a lot of stretching.
12 a. just made me sad.
Happy T13 Claudia.. I’ve found that reading a lot and wanting to learn new things has kept my head busy!
Great list!
I’ll knit and think of things that way.
I don’t drink to excess…usually
LOVE that brain photo!
What great info…thanks for sharing. Im going to pass this on to my son for his finals:) Happy TT.
I don’t know that I could embrace chaos!
We eat as organically and healthy as possible, I would love to find a local farmers market when we move. It is one of the things being considered when we move. When we lived in the Bay area, every Sat. Husband would take the kids (then a newborn and a 1 year old) to the Farmer’s market with my list of perishables we needed for the week. I got to sleep in that day! I loved that area!
Susan – Thanks for asking – I’m glad you did!
Claudia – Oh I know. That’s why I included the graphic. I mean really – who’s going to evaluate the quality of your geekdom??
Nic – I listen to music too when I need to focus. But I listen to alternative metal – you are so classy!
Dr. John -It’s never too late to learn! Psfft!
Michelle – That’s a very good point about sleeping. I’ve been learning a lot about the importance of sleep recently.
GdayBloke – Yes, there’s always suduku!
SandyCarlson – Amazing isn’t it? I didn’t know that either.
Susie J – Gosh that’s very kind of you – Thanks.
C – Hurray for yoga – and yoga butt!
Ann Bruce – Gosh, I’m sorry. Why do you think?
No Nonsense Girl – That’s an excellent idea!
Journeywoman – Hurray for knitters! I do love knitting!
Janet – That’s a great plan! Yes, it’s wonderful – stock exchange
Lori – Oh hurray -what a great idea. Good luck to your son!
Tommie – I love the bay area too. I went to school there. I’ll look for you and see what I can find. I have some friends who have a house near where you will be. I’ll ask them too.
Eggs in the morning and meditation in the evening. Here’s my funny IQ story: http://www.looseleafnotes.com/notes/2005/07/two_heads_are_better_than_one.html
Hmm…I needed you around back when I was in school. I love the quote “Get Stressed get Stupid”
Happy TT!
I wish I’d known that stuff when I was in college.
My brain works best under pressure…when I’m forced to learn something new, which is just about everything lately.
Peace
P.S. Thanks for the bee info!!!!
I read and write daily. I also try to answer answer my son’s questions. Sometimes though he teaches me new things too. Here’s a fact I learned from him: girl ladybugs don’t have spots. Happy TT.
OG..fairly interesting read. Especially the getting things from the short term memory to the long. I still struggle with that even though it is fairly well required when performing poetry around here. Yet I find what you said to be true, relax, study it, walk away from it do something else and come back to it. On some level it begins to enter the LTM.
The embrace Chaos….yeah man that’s me. I try to cause chaos for other people to embrace. I have found though that in chaotic situations I did better as I learned adaptability to fluid situations, the old static thing didn’t work.
As a certified old guy, it is good to learn yet; and you teach me, thanks.
Peace
mark
#1 is so true. Mindst you, in my experience IQ tests prove nothing other than an ability to do IQ tests.
Creative list. I like it.
This is a great list–I feel smarter already!
To keep myself sharp, I like to try new things. Ruts will definitely deaden brain cells.
I need this list now more than ever!
Sorry I haven’t been around lately. I’m stretched at both ends… miss you!! Happy TT!
To exercise my mind, I read and play crossword puzzle. Sometimes I pick a word and form different words from any or all of its letters -in different order. ..and I give it some time to rest, too.
I have a horrible memory. I have made my peace with it. I figure it will make the inevitable slide into dementia that much smoother.
I am so glad I have you out there synthesizing this data for me. You are the first step in my Master Plan in staying sharp. To be more precise, I read quality material and don’t waste my time on crap. I don’t have a lot of time, so I have to get it right the first time. Well done, Claudia.
i take study dance breaks. when i’ve crammed and crammed and crammed i STOP! HAMMER TIME! maybe not that precise dance but it’s a brain break!
I am not in school anymore (Thank God!) but I teach pre-schoolers so they keep me on my toes…. Happy TT!
I do so much better if I hear something. I also learn better in very quiet areas which may explain some loss of concentration over the last few years…but that is OK. Some trade offs are worth it.
I don’t really have any tricks… I remember that visualizing while studying helped. And I think that nuts/almonds are supposed to help with your brain activity/memory.
One of my tricks I read in Living Younger was to do new things. That’s how I started blogging it was a new thing for me and everyday I’m still learning. Great TT!
Meditation works for me
Great list!
Happy TT and thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanks for another great TT!
Colleen – Eggs and meditation – sounds perfect to me!
Lisa – That is a great saying!
Nathalie – Me too!
Odat – My hubby is like this as well. I think it’s a kind of “rabbit” movement – learning in giant leaps vs one tiny step at a time.
Puss Reboots – yes, reading and writing works for me too! Good for you for keeping up with your son – that’s a lot of work!
TWM – It’s hard to do when I’m caught up in a thought – yet I do think it is the only thing that works.
Anthony North – I’m certain that’s very true – IQ tests = good IQ tests.
Barb –
Darla – Good for you for trying new things! Hurray!
Jill – I think you’re just having a busy week! Don’t worry!
Tips and Tricks – I’m delighted the crossword works for you! The word game sounds wonderful.
Fabby – All dementia studies show that you can slow the progression. But if dementia is the goal…. (shrugging) We all have goals.
CEO – Good for you for knowing what you like. I think that is really truly the beginning of all great thought.
Jameil – I like that – Hammer time!
My hubby does 2-step time, same thing, different part of the west.
Bethany – That’s a wonderful way to stay sharp.
HRH – And what wonderful distractions you have! Great to know about the hearing thing. You will be able to help your kids discover their own learning style.
Ivanhoe – I love almonds – hurray!
Tammy – That’s a great idea – plus blogging brings interaction which is always good.
Sue – Hurray for meditation!
Kelly –
A great list, but I don’t know that I agree that crosswords and such don’t help to fend off senility; afterall, the brain is a muscle, is it not, and exercising any muscle must strengthen and flex it, no?
i read anything i can get my hands on.
I love #8…EMBRACE CHAOS ! What if it has decided to embrace me?
I’m signing up. Don’t know if my post, which also involves tomorrow qualifies, so kick me off if it doesn’t.
What helps me to be more healthy? Stopping to breathe and be conscious of every breath.
Also, I need to learn to count to 13. I signed up on Mr. Linky thinking I had about 13 particpants for Karmyn’s shower tomorrrow…then went back to count…oops! I miscalculated.
I think I’d do a lot better if I could just embrace chaos. After all, my life is utter chaos.
Seriously though, things are a bit better this week. There’s a pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel, I’m still waiting to see if it grows brighter or flickers out. Keep your fingers crossed for me, would you?
Love your T-13 today! The suggestions are ?spot on? and practical! I especially love #7 ? used to tell my students this all the time.
Guess I could have read it earlier, but the videoclip of Sir Ken Robinson in your previous post captivated my mind this morning ? and I just finished creating and posting my own T-13 ? considerably later than usual because it took a while to pull together. It?s been a while since my ?happily retired? self has thought much about such things ;–)
Let?s see ? to keep my brain healthy I meditate, exercise, eat right, read, write, pray and listen attentively.
Hugs and blessings,
That’s weird about the distraction thing helping your mind focus. I’ve always done my homework while doing something else. And when I write, I listen to music or watch something on TV. It’s always helped me stay anchored to what I was really doing. I’ll always remember the part in ‘Amadeus’ when Mozart was distracting himself as he was writing music by rolling a billiard ball. I suddenly thought – I do that, too.
I don’t care if it does make me dumb, I’m not giving up my video games.
Mo – What they said is that people who DO crosswords have more mental resources, but there’s no evidence that the crossword generates mental resources. I think that’s fairly interesting. Of course, more research would have to be done but…. I think if you find something that works for you? Do it.
She – Now that’s a great strategy!
Robin – I think all of our lives are in chaos. My fingers are cross and my prayers are heading in your direction.
Storyteller – Ah yes, it’s the listening that I find to be the hardest!
Julia – I find distraction to be very helpful as well. I didn’t know that Mozart did that. I would think rolling a ball would be very grounding.
Alice – ((hug)) You do inspire!
Claudia, I think blogging keeps your brain active and thus able to remember better…:D
I agree that positive thinking helps and stress/panic can make you forget everything.
I got to #2 and decided to go get a cup — nice to see you after being gone for so long! I’ll get that cup’a joe and come back. Hope you’re doing well. I’ve missed you. Take care ~ *Lots of Lov’n*
I can relate to number 7. When put on the spot I tend to become stupid and mute…
Great list and great tips.
That is one very cool list!!
I do two things when actively learning:
1) I color code EVERYTHING. Somehow I remember things better by associating them with colors. Doesn’t matter what color, any one will do.
2) If I’m trying to force something into permanent memory, I have to write it down. It’s why I make lists. It’s why I take reading notes. I may never look at my lists or notes again, but the act of writing somehow engraves whatever it is on the synapses.
Happy TT!
You mean I can grow smarter? Whoa, I gotta go sit down.
I am a middle child too.
When I am stressed out, I try to do something creative or artistic. This always helps me to relax. There is nothing more soothing to me then taking a brush, pastel, hand whatever and creating somthing from my heart!
#11 was especially interesting to me, because. I find I enjoy reading fluffy, superficial magazines (like Glamour) rather than books while I’m on the treadmill or bike. (Thanks for visiting my TT)
I don’t do anything with the conscious intention of boosting my IQ.
I don’t watch a lot of mind-numbing TV, but I read a lot. Sometimes I entertain myself by mentally adding up the prices of the groceries in my shopping cart just to see how close I can come, and I try to form word associations to help me remember things.
Mary T – I learn so much from other people – blogging and otherwise. You are absolutely right!
Chuckie – Welcome back – you know I’m always up for coffee!
Toni – Gosh me too! I blush and feel stupid. Boy….
Bethanie – Gosh that’s really brilliant – thanks for sharing.
Michael C – You might have to just turn up the intelligence past 10 to 11.
Amethyst – Hurray for middle children! We must stick together! How else will we take over! That’s very smart. I’m not any good at that kind of thing… maybe I should try.
The Gal Herself – I think it’s great to give your mind a little break while your body does the work. Good for you for finding something that works for you!
Heart in SF – You know me, I keep taking the test to see how much I can improve that score! I’m going to make a widget for my blog!
I get to distracted to add up stuff in the shopping cart. Sometimes I bring a calculator… but otherwise, I’m hopeless.
I ditto about exercise. I feel I can think sharply and clearly after a workout session.Another great TT as usual!
I hold one of my arms out straight, with my thumb up and in line with my nose. I then make figure 8′s in the air and follow the motion with my eyes. I do 20 and then switch to the other hand and do 20 more. It really does make me feel more alert and able to concentrate/learn.
Grace in Dubai – I feel so much better in general – and ready to learn – when I exercise too!
Los Angelista – Have you heard of EMDR? It’s a therapeutic technique that does a very similar thing – cool that you use it to stay alert – you’re so smart!
Although I don’t do anything i particular but I have observed that reading something does make me feel good, I like to read anything and then I think about it, I think about what i means, is it right, so on and so forth. Then I sometimes take commonly used things and try to imagine how could I make them better, this may or may not make me smarter or something but what it certainly does that it helps to channel my creativity in a positive direction.
If nothing works then you could always read or watch Carl Sagan. Oh and for mental maths I suggest practice and lots of it, we don’t use calculators in my school so I am good at it now, I can deal with pretty large numbers on my own with assistance of my trusty pen. If you want to get good at it then trust me; throw out the calculator and think different.