How to Maximize Your Mental Capacity and Sharpen Your Focus

Maximise your mental capacity with nootropics

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How to Maximize Your Mental Capacity and Brain Power

Whether you are an academic, an athlete or a professional you are likely to be one of the many people in the world who are looking to maximise your mental capacity.

With so many people looking to expand their knowledge and laser in on their long lists of tasks. Or to memorize important information. The world is waking up to releasing parts of their brains they never knew they were capable of.

Maximise your mental capacity and sharpen your focus with nootropics

The pressure of the modern day student life and the competitiveness of the work place means that any advantage you can get should be taken. Many try and find advantages for their overall health and fitness goals, but what about your studies and career?

A real plan can help you to become bad ass at studying. Or even excel in business – and can improve the most important part of your body, the brain. This could be the key to unlocking the most focused you possible.

Just Some Of The Advantages Of An Increase In Knowledge Capabilities:

  • Become more motivated
  • Increased productivity
  • Elevated Mood
  • More Focus
  • More memory retention

There are numerous benefits like the above. We are going to go through just some of the methods used to help maximise your mental capacity. Then you might just be closer to reaching your full mental potential.

Maximise Your Mental Capacity: Learning Resources for a Knowledge Junkie

Anyone who is serious about growing mentally, should be looking to grow in more ways than one. There are so many knowledge resources available to you. You no longer have to go to a Library, rent a few books (that are limited to what they have and if it is available) to take in information.

In this day and age, the resources available are so vast. This is good because everyone absorbs information in different ways. Some people are more likely to remember information if they watch a video. Some if they read the information and some if it is spoken.

So, the 3 main groups are visual, reading for yourself and audio. Since the internet has all these things there are videos, books and podcasts available. Here are our picks for you:

1)  TED Talks

Technology. Entertainment. Design.

The world of TED Talks is basically an encyclopedia of up to 20 minute useful videos presented by ‘experts’ on a range of subjects. They cover everything from business related ideas to meditation. TED Talks give the user food for thought, delivered in a fun way.

They have people you have never heard of who are experts in their field giving you a useful insight into something you might have no understanding of previously before.

To counter this, there are also talks by the famous and powerful. With people such as Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Temple Grandin, Monica Lewinsky, Stephen Hawking and sharing ideas they’re passionate about.

It really is an incredible resource for anyone looking to give their brain a bit of exercise on almost any subject. And best of all – it’s completely free!

Just for you, here is our list of top Ted Talks on The Brain and Knowledge:

Keith Barry – Brain Magic

Manuel Lima – A Visual History of Human Knowledge

 

Tom Wujec – 3 Ways the Brain Creates Meaning

Michael Wesch – From Knowledgeable to Knowledge-Able

 

Sachin Shah – Power of the Mind

2) Khan Academy Online Learning

This is another free resource with a great deal of knowledge ready to be unlocked. Made with students in mind, it is a resource that offers anyone the chance to better themselves and improve in any area they choose.

The Khan Academy sites slogan is even: ‘You can learn anything. For Free, For everyone. Forever.’

We love the good intentions here but the serious side is that it has so much free information on there. For a student looking to revise. Or get some extra tuition on a subject they are looking to improve on, this is a must.

You can learn about math by grade, science and engineering, arts and humanities, test prep and more. This is the complete student resource, and it doesn’t cost a dime.

A great and free way to maximise your mental capacity.

3) Blinkist

This is my favorite app…

Ever.

You might have heard of eBooks on Amazon Kindle or audiobooks on Audible, which are great when you have hours to kill, but Blinkist is slightly different.

It summarises whole non-fiction books for you into a 15 minute or less easily digestible version.

Mind

Blown.

They have an absolutely huge range of all of the main non-fiction books you can think of. But what they do, that a knowledge junkie like me loves, is collate all the key take away points from a book. Then make them into a very easy to understand 15 minute summary. A lot of which also have an audio reading you can listen through your ‘To Read’ list as well!

So you can literally download knowledge into your brain in minutes, instead of hours or weeks or never. 

This is a great way to enhance your professional skills. It has a lot of the most important books in various fields that can enhance your knowledge in so many ways.

It’s not just good for the area you study or work in. There is so much here that you can discover new subjects and become a fountain of knowledge in something out of your comfort zone. Categories such as Personal Growth & Self Improvement, Management and Leadership, Communication & Social Skills and many more.

Big ideas in small packages” is their slogan and it sums them up nicely.

They do offer a free trial but this is definitely well worth the annual subscription.

Check Out Blinkist Here

Getting Good Sleep Is Important

There are many things you can do to improve your brain health and general functioning. A lack of sleep can affect your whole day, making you irritable affecting your appetite and hormones.

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Sleep is essential for brain health. A good night’s sleep will not only leave you with more energy the next day but also promote creative thoughts. People who spend a large part of their day looking at a screen often find it difficult to get a good night’s rest.

You can be left feeling like a fog is over your brain when you don’t give it enough rest. Sleep is a time where our brains are at an extremely productive state. It is when our brain organizes our memories and puts them in the right places for future use.

Without sleep it would be very difficutl to truly maximise your mental capacity.

A good sleep should be peaceful and uninterrupted and some of the brain chemicals involved with a good night sleep need the chance to work their magic.

Eat Clean So You Don’t Feel Sluggish

It’s not a dietary trend that comes and goes, it is a way of life. It can have many positive effects for your health.

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Eating clean is a great way of ensuring your mind is sharp and full of energy.

It is no surprise that many people who eat too many carbs and not enough whole foods often suffer from a lethargic brain. By eating less processed foods you are giving your brain better nutrients to function properly.

Meals that are high in carbs and refined sugar are the main culprits for those lethargic moments in the day. You may experience an initial burst of energy, but once your body starts to digest them, you feel sluggish.

The best way to give yourself a balanced energy throughout the day is through a clean diet that will last throughout the day and nigh. Without the peaks that turn into downs.

Eating Clean Can Lift Your Mood

Foods that aren’t as processed often have more nutrients and are great for your mental state. There are lots of sources of Vitamin B6. (which is a top nootropic ingredient but does it make our list?) These include  bananas and sunflower seeds which helps your body to produce more dopamine – a chemical that is linked to your body’s happier state.

B Vitamins are great for supporting brain functioning and there are many antioxidants in clean food that is stripped in processed food. These antioxidants are great for your memory as well as your focus.

Other Dietary Ideas to Stave off Sluggishness

Don’t over rely on coffee

So many of us like to start the day with a coffee, and it does have so many health benefits. But are you too reliant? Maybe instead of going for another cup in the afternoon, eat an energy inducing snack to wake your body and give your brain and body some energy.

A good and balanced diet should compliment your healthy lifestyle. Many people start a fat loss plan and don’t do enough research. It’s also your eating habits that can make you feel weak and tired. Switching to a lower calorie diet can be difficult in the beginning, with many people going long periods between eating. It can be important to eat a healthy snack.

A good diet will allow for a snack, a piece of fruit or some nuts can be just the thing to keep you sharp.

Hydration for Your Brain

Another essential thing to remember for not just your brain, but your overall health is to stay hydrated. How does this benefit the brain though?

By hydrating your body you are also giving your brain the best chance of functioning at its maximum capacity.

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Your nervous system will be a benefactor in that it will find communicating with the brain a lot easier.

Consuming the optimum amount of water and staying hydrated is linked to ensuring you stay focused and alert. As well as reducing how confused you get in new situations.

This might just be the easiest and most convenient method of staying brain sharp and focused/ It’s all about creating the bait and sticking to it.

The balance of water and other important elements needs to be a fair one. If you have too little water, your brains balance will be off and your cells are not able to operate in an efficient way. Dehydration is bad for brain function. Our short term memory is one of the areas where we miss out the most. It can also affect how long it takes to recall information.

Studies have shown that reaching for a glass of water as part of your morning routine can kick-start your body and brain into action quicker.

A well hydrated body helps it to increase blood flow to the brain as well as oxygen. Your body literally functions better and more efficiently when you are hydrated.

Visualization

This is a great technique for overall brain well being as well as achieving your goals. Many of the world’s top athletes and business entrepreneurs ensure their daily routine includes visualization exercises.

It is not uncommon for a sportsman or woman to visualize how the game will go before it takes place. Not just how it will go – how they want it to go. By focusing on the positive outcome, it trains your subconscious brain to guide your actions towards the outcome you desire.

So by thinking positive thoughts about your performance as an athlete, your brain is preparing you for what will be a positive performance.

Many people find this challenging to begin with. This is perfectly normal and in fact it happens to everyone. It can be difficult to make yourself picture the desired outcome or things you would like. Some people feel guilty about what they desire because they think they don’t deserve it. This is a mental block that over time will erode.

The best thing you can do is practice for 10 minutes every day and make it into a habit. What is the outcome you want? The life you want? The promotion you want? By visualizing every day it becomes your focus. Your visualized thoughts are a part of the process of achieving your goals. You are far more likely to achieve them through visualization.

A really effective way to maximise your mental capacity.

Here’s how you get started with visualization to increase your mental capacity:

  • Start by closing your eyes and relaxing, just sit in the dark and get into a relaxed state. Take intentionally deep breaths and release any tension from your body as you sink into this meditative state.
  • Once you feel relaxed, imagine the arena you are setting your intentions to impacting. If it is a sports field, go there, if it is the office or a promotion, take yourself there.
  • Now is the time to dig a little deeper, who are you up against? What color does that team wear? What does your boss look like? Think about the appearance of  that car you want.
  • Can you hear the roar of the crowd? Does your office have a sound that you can visualize? Does the car sound a certain way?
  • Visualise yourself in this area, now is the time to see where it takes you, what does success look like? How are you performing at your best? What do you do to be the best version of yourself and achieve your goals? Push yourself to the limit here until you feel you have reached your desired outcome.

You’ve just given yourself permission to dream big, something many people are scared to do which is why so many people fall short of their dreams.

These might be small steps but it is important to focus on how this visualization made you feel, what it looked like and remember the feeling.

Like we said, it is important to keep doing this day after day until it becomes part of your daily routine.

It’s not unusual for a sportsman to check with the team kitman and ask what color jersey they are wearing on the weekend just so they can ensure their visualization is correct, so when they are living it and acting it out on the field they have already prepared their mind for the outcome they desire.

Such detail and commitment is demonstrative of what goes on in the mind of some of the world’s best athletes. If they are doing it, it must be worth your time. It is the rehearsing of an event that enhances your ability to create the outcome in reality, whether it is on the field or in the office.

Journaling and Its Benefits for the Brain

Just one of the many benefits you can get from journaling every day is the fact that you are telling your brain what is important. This helps to keep it focused on your goals and have them constantly on your mind.

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Journaling has been linked with mindfulness, so your mood is elevated. By journaling about your anxieties and letting them go, this can be therapeutic for the brain as you say to yourself ‘’this is not longer going to worry me’’.

By writing down your goals every day your brain will eventually get the message. Your focus will be on making your dreams into your goals, and making your goals your reality.

It is also great for your memory. When you write down the words they are another expression of your thoughts.  Writing them down increases the chance of the thoughts being imprinted onto your brain.

It can also build your self confidence. If you journal about a way you want to feel or be more like then it is as though you are setting your intentions to be that way. The more you write it down, the more confident you will feel about it.

Even just spending 5 minutes every day writing about your goals and intentions and what you want your life and self to be like is very effective.

Journalling is considered to be one of the habits of successful people as they journal to form new habits, achieve their goals and stop obstacles from interfering with their desired outcomes.

Ingredients For Mental Function

Like with many of the sections we have discussed so far there are small advantages you can create for yourself. Individual ingredients are each another opportunity to give yourself an edge. And the more you can incorporate into your day to day diet, the better.

Here are some of the most effective ingredients for peak mental function:

Huperzine-A

A great ingredient for your memory, often found in the better and natural nootropic supplements for a reason. It halts your body’s creation of acetylcholinesterase which prevents the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from doing its job. Huperzine-A helps it to be more effective. Acetylcholine is great for your memory as well as your focus so you want this to be working at its most optimum levels.

Often shown to improve the memory of the elderly where mental function becomes a problem. It is being used in various studies to see if it can fight Alzheimer’s Disease. This isn’t uncommon for an ingredient used in a Nootropic, which shows they are included for good reason.

Lion Manes Mushroom

As we mentioned earlier, this rare yet very useful mushroom is not only useful for Nerve Growth Factor, but also for cell regeneration. It promotes the growth and production of new brain cells. So, an overall very effective ingredient for an overall healthy brain.

Rhodiola Rosea

You find a lot of noise online when it comes to this ingredient. It’s uses for brain functioning are its ability to fight stress as well as fatigue. If you are looking for an ingredient to improve alertness and elevating your mood then Rhodiola Rosea is what you’re after.

In Russia, it has been used for hundreds of years to improve workplace productivity. Your concentration levels are enhanced and can remain at it’s peak for longer periods.  

Bacopa Monnieri

Good for verbal learning so often used by professionals who deliver presentations. This is due to its ability to help you to think clearer and deliver speech more concisely.

Like many of the ingredients we have discussed it had many uses. Your overall brain functioning is enhanced and it protects your brain against memory loss and fights stress.

Why Nootropics Are So Good

This is where you can get the easiest access to a lot of advantages all at once. The above ingredients can be difficult to include in your day to day diet. The beauty of a good and natural nootropic, is that many of them include the above ingredients as well as other brain enhancers.

This means you can get an optimal dosage of various ingredients that give your brain an optimal feeling. All in a nootropic supplement.

Of all the techniques we have discussed for increasing your brain’s capacity to function properly, this is by far the easiest.

Top Recommended Nootropic Supplements

Different Aspects of a Good Nootropic

Firstly, we want to advise you to be aware of something. A lot of nootropics contain stimulants such as caffeine. This is fine, if the level is safe and there are good dosages of other effective ingredients, then we would lean towards it being good.

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However, a lot of nootropics hide behind high caffeine and stimulant content which will feel like it is working and you feel more alert and awake. But they don’t offer as many long term benefits. And the health benefits for your brain might not be as good as they suggest. With this in mind we suggest you increase your nootropics knowledge to find a good one.

Our recommendation is Mind Lab Pro, we will go into more details about this product a little later. B but it is all natural, with good dosages and great reviews. Read our Mind Lab Pro nootropic review for more information.

Top Recommended Nootropic Supplements

Nootropics can have a positive effect on your learning and memory

Ever wanted to be able to retain more of the information during your studies. Maybe you want to remember information for a presentation at work.

Many of the ingredients in a good nootropic offer just that. By helping you to focus on what you are being told or reading, and hold onto this information for later use, you can really further yourself in your studies or career.

Imagine going into an exam and not having those minutes where you feel like you have heard about something before. Only you can’t quite remember the correct answer.

Nootropics Improve Focus

Learning is hard, staying alert later in the day at work, is a challenge. This is just another great way to maximise your mental capacity.

The stresses of everyday life can take their toll and unless you are super human, staying 100% alert throughout the day is a challenge. Even that hour after lunch leaves you feeling groggy like you want to take a nap.

A good nootropic has the right balance of ingredients to help you resist the temptation of procrastinating. It’s not just office based professionals who can benefit from this, the self employed often work from home where the list of distractions is endless.

Nootropics help the user to laser in on what they are doing and become more efficient along the way.

Top Recommended Nootropic Supplements

Nootropics Protect Your Brain From Disease

That’s right, it is no surprise that many of the ingredients used in nootropics are also used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other brain and memory related illnesses.

They have multiple uses and some of them and since your brain is the part of your body that controls the all the functioning organs you want to look after it. Ingredient such as Lion Manes Mushroom (more on this later) stimulate NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) which is good for your brain’s neurons – good for fighting brain related diseases.

Nootropics Should Have No Side Effects

There should be nothing within a Nootropic that would cause unwanted side effects. This being said there are many out there who offer the world but don’t deliver. Be wary of these and only go with a product that has great reviews and is recommended from a good source.

Top Recommended Nootropic Supplements

Maximise Your Mental Capacity: Conclusion

A good nootropic can make you feel limitless. Iit will open up your brain to function at a level you never believed was possible. Your ability to retain information and recall it at a later date will be enhanced.

Imagine walking into your exam or meeting and having you brain functioning at a level you had never been able to unlock previously!

We only recommend products that are completely natural, free of proprietary blends and safe to use. There is nothing in our favorite products that shouldn’t be there.

The ingredients selected in Mind Lab Pro, the best nootropic we’ve ever reviewed, include many of the nutrients mentioned above.

It has fought off all of the competition on the market as far as we are concerned. There aren’t many nootropics that have its carefully selected balance of ingredients. With no side effects, so we have no problem in offering our stamp of approval with this product. To read more on this great nootropic, check out our Mind Lab Pro review for a more in depth discussion.

Leave a comment with your thoughts about what’s personally helped you increase your mental function, sharpen your focus or any of your favorite learning resources for fellow addicted knowledge junkies…

Top Recommended Nootropic Supplements

 

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