With final exams coming up, our brains are all working overtime. It is so hard to focus when you have to study for four or more different exams and work. We must find ways to get our brains pumping out the intellect and producing positive progression in life. You can't ever let your brain get stagnant and lazy on you. I thought I would share five ways I use to get my brain working at full potential. All of them have benefited me in special ways and I think they will benefit you as well. A free mind is a healthy mind.

1. Reading

Reading a good book or a news article can spark ideas in our brains. An inspiring story or a fantasy novel is always such a great escape. Every time I pick up a good book, I close it having learned something and gain ideas of my own. Read a book about something you're into or try a different book, maybe a different genre than you would normally read. News articles are also a great way to spark up the old noggin, the positive news at least. Every morning, to start my day off thinking, I catch up on current events and read some motivational articles to help me get some ideas to write about. Either way, the quiet adventures and calmness of your own private story helps to clear your mind of all negativity and gets those creative juices going!

2. Meditating

Ah meditation, my personal favorite. Nothing makes my brain feel stronger than a solid meditation session. Take twenty minutes to yourself and go somewhere quiet. Light an incense, sit Indian style, close your eyes, focus on your breathing and just let your mind take over. Focus on your dreams, ambitions and desires, not just for yourself, but the planet as well. This one takes some practice but if you work at it, your brain will develop an upgraded system of creativity. Having your chakras aligned will make you feel happier and healthier, inside and out. The benefits of meditation are endless, not only that it is a peaceful, positive escape from stress.

3. Music

Listening to music, especially genius music, lets the mind enjoy all the beautiful sounds of the piano or guitar. When I am studying, I prefer Mozart, Chopin, or Beethoven. These musicians just amaze me how they created these masterpieces. I truly believe that this music expands your intellect. Music also makes the brain produce dopamine, a chemical released in the brain that makes you happy. Some good suggestions from me are Chopin- Nocturne op. 9, Debussy-Clair de Lune and Vivaldi- Four seasons. Try one of these pieces next time you study, I guarantee it will help you think clearer and more vividly.

4. Watching a sunset

This is one of my favorites. I love watching our beautiful Earth create these amazing colors during sunset. It always reminds me how blessed we are to be alive on such a beautiful planet. I try to watch it every day and contemplate my future. I have also read a lot about "sun gazing". During the peak of the sunset, you are supposed to remove your shoes so your feet make contact with the Earth, and gaze into the sunset. Ancient Aztecs believed that this would expand your intellect and bond with Earth. I have tried to catch a sunset a few times a week and it always makes my brain go wild and gives me amazing ideas to share with the world. Nothing better for the brain than observing the beauty and design of this great planet we live on. There are no words for its beauty and I think everyone can appreciate that.

5. Admiring Art

We have such beautiful pieces of art created by humans. To see the work of genius, imagined and created onto paper with nothing but your mind is unbelievable. This is visual proof of what our brains are capable of. Lately, I have been into the art of Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. I think the Impressionism art style is the most mind blowing. It is like these artists put a piece of themselves into the art, continuing to inspire brilliant minds almost one hundred years later. Even at my school, St. Petersburg College, we have the Leepa-Ratner museum and before I have an exam I would go in there and admire the work. It always helped me to get that mental capacity I needed to ace the test.

These are all great things to do for your brain and the best part about it is, you can do more than one of them at once. Meditate or read to some good music or during a sunset. I always bring some music to the museum with me. Try these out! Exams are coming quick, so take so time and try out one of these ideas. I want to hear what you think and hopefully hear some positive results!