Oct 04

3 exercises that can rewire the brain and improve cognitive function and it has been proved by science

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Research indicates that activities like dance, martial arts, and team sports significantly enhance cognitive function beyond traditional workouts. These complex movements stimulate the brain, improving memory, attention, and decision-making skills. Studies reveal measurable brain changes, including increased gray matter and improved executive functions, highlighting the potential for lifelong brain development through enriched physical activity. It is proven that physical exercise supports a healthy body and mind. What is increasingly becoming popular is that certain types of movement, apart from shaping the body and also reshape the brain. Over the past few decades, researchers and practitioners have studied that how activities such as dance, martial arts and team sports influence cognitive performance, boost good mood and promote health. These exercises go beyond just building a healthy body, while conventional workouts like jogging and lifting weights improve cardiovascular health and promote muscular fitness, they often lack the cognitive and social complexity that drives deeper brain engagement. Let’s see Team sports, martial arts and dance, all integrate learning with memory and enhanced decision making, this combination of physical and mental challenge stimulates the brain in powerful ways, enhancing focus, mind flexibility and even structural brain changes over time. Why complexity matters in movementAny […]
Oct 01

Brain Fog vs overworked mind and fatigue: How to tell the difference

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The symptoms of mental exhaustion include physical exhaustion, decreased concentration abilities, irritability, delayed thinking and decreased drive for complex mental work. The brain uses this state to indicate its need for recovery from excessive mental processing. The condition disappears when people get enough rest while managing their stress levels, and maintaining proper work-life balance We often use the conditions brain fog, and overworked mind and fatigue interchangeably. However, the two conditions present different symptoms to people who experience them. The proper identification of brain fog and mental fatigue from overwork, enables people to receive appropriate treatment for their conditions. Here is how to distinguish between the two conditions, and what to do about it…   What is brain fog Brain fog is a condition that creates mental confusion, which makes it difficult to think clearly and remember things, while reducing focus abilities. The medical field recognises brain fog as a symptom which appears in different health conditions. People who experience brain fog describe their mental state as disoriented and confused, while also reporting memory problems and slow thinking. The duration of these symptoms extends from several days up to multiple weeks, and sometimes continues for extended periods. Daily activities and […]
Sep 28

How To Improve Concentration And Focus While Studying

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Staying focused while studying is challenging in today’s distraction-filled world. Learn effective strategies to study smarter, stay alert, and retain more information, whether preparing for exams or daily learning.   In today’s competitive environment, staying focused while studying is a challenge many students face. With distractions from phones, social media, and everyday stress, concentration levels often drop quickly. But the good news is that focus can be improved with the right habits. From mindfulness practices to lifestyle changes and smart study techniques, small steps can lead to big improvements. Whether you’re preparing for board exams, competitive tests, or simply trying to study effectively, these methods can help you build stronger attention and better productivity. According to the Harvard Health Publishing website, here are some strategies to sharpen your concentration and maximise study time.   Build Mental Strength   Practice Mindfulness Daily Mindfulness keeps you rooted in the present moment. For example, try five minutes of deep breathing before revision-it calms your mind and improves focus.   Try Brain-Boosting Activities Cognitive training, like puzzles or memory games, can sharpen mental agility. Solving Sudoku or crossword puzzles daily is a simple way to strengthen focus.   Choose Brain-Friendly Foods Eating a balanced […]
Sep 25

Mindfulness won’t burn calories, but it might help you stick with your health goals

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Most people know roughly what kind of lifestyle they should be living to stay healthy. Think regular exercise, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Yet, despite all the hacks, trackers and motivational quotes, many of us still struggle to stick with our health goals. Meanwhile, people worldwide are experiencing more lifestyle-associated chronic disease than ever before. But what if the missing piece in your health journey wasn’t more discipline – but more stillness? Research shows that mindfulness meditation can help facilitate this pursuit of health goals through stillness, and that getting started is easier than you might think – no Buddhist monk robes or silent retreats required. Given how ubiquitous and accessible mindfulness resources are these days, I have been surprised to see mindfulness discussed and studied only as a mental health tool, stopping short of exploring its usefulness for a whole range of lifestyle choices. I am a psychologist and behavioral scientist researching ways to help people live healthier lives, especially by moving more and regulating stress more efficiently. My team’s work and that of other researchers suggests that mindfulness could play a pivotal role in paving the way for a healthier society, one mindful breath at a time. […]
Sep 22

How to breathe easy at work: The five-minute stress reset

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Breathwork micro-breaks—brief bouts of structured breathing slotted between emails and calls—switch off the body’s ‘alert’ setting and help regain composure   You don’t need a mat, a mantra or a meeting-free afternoon to feel better at work—you need five quiet minutes and your own lungs. Breathwork micro-breaks—brief bouts of slow, structured breathing slotted between emails and calls—switch off your body’s ‘alert’ setting and return you to baseline fast. A Stanford-led randomised study, published on biomedical and life sciences archive PubMed Central, found that just five minutes a day of exhale-weighted ‘cyclic sighing’ improved mood and reduced physiological arousal more than mindfulness meditation—evidence that the mechanics of breathing can be a shortcut to calm. The bigger point: tiny pauses matter. A meta-analysis in the journal PLOS ONE shows that micro-breaks of 10 minutes or less reliably boost vigour and reduce fatigue, even if your task list is brutal. You don’t need a long walk or a nap; a short, non-work activity—such as three-to-five-minute breathing set—delivers a measurable lift and helps you sustain focus through the day. Ask Aditya Kapoor, 32, product manager, Bengaluru. Staring down back-to-back stand-ups, he began pairing calendar alerts with a 4-in/6-out cadence and one long sigh each […]
Sep 17

How to increase the memory power of children: 4 science backed formula

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Parents can boost their child’s memory through simple methods. Adequate sleep is crucial for memory consolidation. Active recall is more effective than re-reading. Physical activity enhances blood flow to the brain. Mindful nutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids, supports memory performance. These habits help children study smarter and build lasting memory skills. These methods do not require expensive supplements. Does your kid find it hard to remember multiplication tables or recall stories for exams? Well, good news for you that their memory can be strengthened and trained. Memory is the invisible superpower that fuels a child’s learning journey but memory is not just about genetics. Neuroscientists have found that the brain is highly adaptable in childhood and everyday habits can significantly enhance a child’s ability to store and retrieve information. Take a close look…Increasing memory power in children is not about expensive supplements or endless tuition, it is about simple and science-backed habits including proper sleep, active recall, regular physical activity and brain-friendly nutrition. Here are four science-backed formulae every parent can try to help their child sharpen memory power.   Sleep is non-negotiable Memory consolidation happens while children sleep. Studies reveal that sleep strengthens neural connections formed during the day, […]
Sep 14

Ancient habits that sharpen your concentration

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These ancient traditions are practical techniques that work even today.   In a world of endless to-do lists, it is only humane to feel overwhelmed. Your mind feels scattered from time to time when all it needs is a little guidance. To find clarity, you do not need another productivity hack, believes Saurabh Bothra, a certified yoga expert. He says all we need is stillness, and for that he urges us to incorporate ancient habits in our daily lives to sharpen our concentration. According to him, “Long before modern distractions, our ancestors built daily rituals to train the mind and cultivate lasting focus.” These ancient traditions are practical techniques that work even today.   Here are 7 ancient habits that increase concentration: Tratak Meditation is an ancient yogic practice where you stare at a candle flame without blinking. It enhances visual concentration and calms the mind, adds Saurabh Bothra. He states that only 5 minutes each day can boost mental clarity. Nasagra Drishti (Nose-tip Gazing) is an ancient technique used to increase focus. The yoga expert highlights, “Used during certain yoga poses and meditations, this technique helps centre your thoughts by focusing your gaze on your nose tip.” Nadi Shodhana […]
Sep 11

9 daily habits of people who will never truly be happy, according to psychology

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I once had a neighbor who complained about everything—from the weather to the way birds chirped in the morning. He had a decent job, a loving partner, and pretty good health, yet he never seemed content. I found myself wondering if happiness was just not in his DNA. After a while, I realized his daily actions—more than any external factor—were what shaped his perpetual dissatisfaction. Most of us think happiness is a mysterious trait people either inherit or stumble upon. But psychology suggests it’s often cultivated by specific habits and mindsets. I’m no saint—I’ve caught myself slipping into counterproductive habits that make me cranky and restless. It’s a constant check-in process. Below, I’ve laid out nine everyday behaviors that, in my experience, hold people back from real happiness. They might look small on the surface, but they can create a permanent fog of discontent if left unchecked.   1. Constantly comparing themselves to others Comparison, as the saying goes, is the thief of joy. When a friend of mine bought a new car, I immediately questioned my own finances. It wasn’t rational. It was just a knee-jerk reaction to someone else’s perceived “success.” Psychologists talk about “social comparison theory,” which […]
Sep 08

5 effective time management tips to boost productivity and do more work in less time, as per psychology

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Have you ever noticed that while we all have the same 24 hours in a day, only some people are able to achieve much more whereas others struggle. What makes all the difference between them is how well they manage their time. Psychology shows that productivity is not just about working harder but also about working smarter. And so, when you learn to organise your day well, you are more focussed and produtive. So, here we list some psychology-backed time management tips that will help you do more work in less time:   Use the Eisenhower Matrix The Eisenhower Matrix can help you separate tasks into four categories: Urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither. When you segregate your tasks in these categories, you can prioritise your work and focus better on tasks that truly matters. This will also help you avoid wasting your energy on low-value tasks thus reducing decision fatigue and mental clutter.   Use the Pomodoro Technique The Pomodoro Technique means working in short, focused slots or bursts (generally of 25 minutes), followed by small 5-minute breaks in between. A UCL study highlights that ‘Our brains have an upper limit on […]
Sep 05

How to handle stress? The 4 A’s method that can help reduce stress and anxiety

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Stress management is crucial for mental and physical well-being. The 4 A’s approach—Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept—offers practical strategies for coping with stress. By avoiding unnecessary stressors, altering situations, adapting reactions, and accepting the unchangeable, individuals can effectively manage stress, improve emotional wellness, and build resilience in various life situations. Stress is a part of life, but when it becomes excessive or constant, it can significantly weaken our mind and body. Stress management is necessary to remain in peace and in good health. The 4 A’s approach to stress management – Avoid, Alter, Adapt, and Accept – is helpful and effective. It allows one to react to stress more effectively, better, and in a healthier way by providing us with realistic options for varied situations. Let’s decode this stress-management method!   1. Avoid Although one cannot avoid stress altogether, maybe one can restrict exposure to a few of the things on one’s list of reasons to stress oneself out. This has nothing to do with shirking responsibility, but with being smart and cutting out unnecessary sources of stress. For instance, become proficient in saying no when overworked. Boundary setting is necessary, particularly if one tends to overcommit on the job […]
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