Do you often find yourself putting off that two-hour assignment that you have to submit before midnight? What about having to read the convenient 50 pages that authors nowadays like to call one chapter?
It is very easy for students who are born with the gift of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to finish dreadful assignments or to read those extensive chapters that teachers believe that we are capable of reading in a single night.
I say it is a gift because it truly is a beneficial attribute when it comes to schoolwork if you are medicated.
What if I said that there was a healthier way to stimulate your brain? There is a way that would allow you to experience similar effects to what amphetamines have to offer. Luckily, there are actually means of energizing your mind that are wholesome and easily (and also legally) accessible.
Here are some ways to improve mental alertness without having to depend on amphetamines and/or caffeine.
Niacin
Otherwise known as Vitamin B3, this natural substance is beneficial to the muscles and the brain. Niacin helps to open up the capillaries in the body, which increases blood flow. When there is more blood flow throughout the body, muscles tend to loosen up and the brain’s alertness also enhances.
Exercise
Similar to the function of Niacin, exercise has been proven to directly enhance brainpower and creativity. When working out, particularly in the cardio category, a chemical change occurs. Not only does the excess blood immerse your brain cells in oxygen and glucose, but hormones are produced and then mixed with a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This mixture enhances learning, development, and regulation in mood. When referring to this chemical, John J. Ratey, PH.D., asserts, “Without it, our brains can’t take in new information or make new cells.”
Eat More Fish
The benefits of fish go far beyond an increase in mental strength. However, if you are looking for a boost in mental alertness, consuming fish products twice a week is a natural and healthy way to go. Fish like Salmon and Tuna are high in omega-three fats, which have been proven to reduce symptoms of ADHD and to improve mental skills like thinking, memorization, and learning. However, if you are not a fish eater, do not fret! Start taking fish oil pills and experience the benefits that they have to offer.
Quality Sleep
Sleep is one of the biggest factors when it comes to the amount of alertness that your brain has. Attaining day-to-day quality sleep can directly increase your brain's focus. It is crucial to achieve the delta stage of sleep, which comes right before REM sleep. This is the period when the brain muscles down and specific mental functions strengthen. Vatsal G. Thakkar, MD, suggests, “If you’re regularly dipping below seven hours, you’re likely cutting into the delta phase, and this can make it difficult to focus when you’re awake.” By simply increasing the duration of sleep, your attentiveness and ability to concentrate will improve.
