Defined arms, visible abs, a toned backside — when it comes to training, our goals are usually crystal clear. But there’s one muscle we tend to forget: the brain. Renowned neuroscientist Dr. Kristen Willeumier explains, in her new book Biohacking for the Brain, why regular brain training matters every bit as much as a session at the gym.
By Saskia Ruttmann
The Self-Optimisation Trend
The brain is the most complex, most vital organ in the human body. It keeps learning well into old age, forging neural connections that make us sharper and happier. So it’s worth remembering, amid all the focus on self-optimisation, that looks aren’t everything — the brain deserves its own workout too. The good news: a handful of exercises can produce remarkable results. Even something as small as taking a different route to the office is enough to get it firing.
Mental Health
Our emotions are closely tied to the health of our bodies. When the body suffers from too little movement and poor nutrition, mood suffers along with it. In her book, Kristen Willeumier lays out a set of surprisingly simple exercises for keeping the brain healthy — or helping it heal. She tested them on professional football players who, after years of injuries, struggled with lasting effects like poor concentration.
Eating Smart
Diet, too, has a far greater influence on brain health than most of us realise. Willeumier explains why blueberries make you sharper, why dark chocolate is less a guilty pleasure than a genuine brain food, and how something as simple as a glass of water can ease symptoms of depression.
The Courage to Act
Training your brain turns out to be far less daunting than it sounds. In Biohacking for the Brain, Kristen Willeumier offers not just a fascinating scientific look inside our own minds, but practical, easy tips for keeping them in peak condition. Anyone can do something for their brain’s health — and it’s never too late to start:
“We can make every brain better, regardless of age. And we can start right now.”
Dr. Kristen Willeumier
