Do you ever hear about those chess geniuses or learn about philosophers that just inspire awe in you? Sorry, I can’t help you achieve that level of mindfulness and intelligence. However, I do have some tips to help you operate at your highest potential and, quite possibly, beyond.

1. Meditate

Mindful relaxation helps prevent mental illness by increasing signaling and building up protective tissue. Meditation also makes it easier to focus, speeds up emotional processing, lowers stress, is linked to higher grades, and more.

2. Read

3. Experience the mundane

It is too easy to fall into a mind-numbing routine: wake, shower, eat, work, repeat. Fight staticity by thinking about those mundane thing you do. Ask yourself questions and check-in. How does that cup of coffee in the morning make you feel? How fast are you breathing? Who do you enjoy talking to and why?

4. Listen deeply

Taking the time to truly listen to others requires actual thinking and invokes a meaningful response. This can increase your communication skills, cultivate an image of a caring person and create self-awareness.

5. Think independently

Mindfulness can set you apart. Take time to think about your actions and avoid blindly following the lead of someone else. Also, allow and encourage your brain to go down different avenues.

6. Take care of yourself

Sleeping the recommended seven to eight hours a day boosts memory, increases lifespan, spurs creativity, improves grades, and sharpens attention. Exercise helps brain regeneration and growth, improves memory and fights brain diseases such as Parkinson’s.

7. Eat smart

Eating whole grain provides energy for your brain, oily fish increases brain function, antioxidants fight dementia, vitamins E and B fight cognitive impairment, and vitamins C and K increase mental agility and brainpower. Try eating brown pasta, salmon, blueberries, tomatoes, oranges, pumpkin seeds, broccoli and nuts to support your noggin.

8. Do what is difficult

Studies show that people who engage their brains and mentally challenge themselves maintain mental acuity for longer. White matter shrinks at a slower pace, allowing brain connections to stay preserved for greater periods of time.

9. Train your brain

This is where it gets fun - you get to play games! Play traditional games like chess, bridge, casino, Trivial Pursuit, and Scrabble. If you want to take it to another level, try brain training specific games and apps like Lumosity, Elevate and Fit Brains.

10. Branch out

Of course, there is a lot to learn from trying new things: reading new books, going new places, meeting new people, watching new movies, etc. The variation will stimulate and challenge your brain while you have fun.

Why does this stuff matter? Hopefully, you want to improve yourself as a person and become more engaging, mindful, and thoughtful. If that isn’t enough incentive for you, the health benefits are plentiful: reduced stress, longer life span, increased happiness and more. Brain blast!