Strategies To Increase Mental Energy

Intelligence is useful for helping us navigate the world around us. What it means to be intelligent may vary depending on who you ask and in what context they answer. No matter what, having mental energy is linked to higher levels of intelligence. Smart people usually have better functioning brains. Do you believe it?

But the great thing about mental energy is it’s something that can be improved. What I want to share with you here is the basic foundation on which to build high mental energy. If you already do these things, that’s great. However, if you are missing just one of these, it’s possible you are missing out on reaching your full cognitive potential.

Ways to increase mental energy

Here are strategies for increasing mental energy and alertness.

1. Sleep

Sleep has many great benefits for the body both mentally and physically. High quality and sufficient quantities of sleep help the brain store memories and recuperate from the day. People who sleep well have overall better quality focus, more self-control and higher levels of mental energy.

Remember that sleep involves both quality and quantity. Your room should be a comfortable temperature, you should sleep in a comfortable bed and in a clean space. Dust tends to accumulate in bedrooms so make sure you clean out your sleeping area periodically to make sure you are breathing clean air when you sleep. Sleeping in a dark and quite area also helps improve sleep quality.

When it comes to quantity, it’s pretty much the obvious – at least 8 hours of sleep. 7.5 hours should be your absolute minimum. Avoid ever going below that to minimize the risk of being less focused the next day. Keep the time when you fall asleep and wake up the same, as well.

2. Food/nutrition & water

Food provides not only the energy needed for optimal brain function, but also the vitamins and minerals involved in the same. Make sure you eat a healthy diet that is conducive for mental energy and improved focus. Eat vegetables, get a healthy variety of wholesome foods, and make sure you get all the nutrients you need.

Water is also of great importance when it comes to optimal brain function. Try to take small sips of water throughout the day. Make sure to keep hydrated but don’t go overboard. Being too hydrated or not hydrated enough are both not ideal.

3. Stress elimination

The brain doesn’t tend to function very well when it’s preoccupied with stress. Not only is stress a major mental distraction, it is also a huge drain on mental energy. It may be easier said than done, but you must control stress.

Try stress reduction techniques like envisioning calmness, speaking slowly in your mind and releasing stress or anger calmly when alone. Be patient with yourself. Having some stress once in a while is normal, but it shouldn’t be distracting you or tiring you out.

4. Good quality air

Food is a source of energy for the brain. Do you know what the other main source of energy is? Oxygen. Now, don’t go taking huge deep breaths. It is important to know that deep breathing may end up causing shortness of breath if done incorrectly.

What you should be trying to do is breathe calmly and into the diaphragm. This is deep breathing done the right way. You don’t have to do it too often, just a few minutes a day should be fine. Let your body take air in and let it out naturally, just try to calm down while it does.

Relax your chest muscles. Make sure you don’t have excessive tension in your rib area. If you do, relax those muscles and let the air flow naturally. Make sure you maintain good posture, as well. Being hunched over can compress the chest and make breathing less efficient.

You should also be breathing good quality air. Make sure you keep your living space clean from dust and/or allergens. If it isn’t allergy season you might want to crack open a window to let some fresh air in. Make sure to keep an eye on the air quality reports in your area, though. If you feel like you need it, you should consider an air purifier to clean up the air in your living space.

Remember, oxygen is a key player when it comes to brain functioning. It’s important that breathing is easy for the body so it can get the air it needs for the brain and everything else.

5. Brain training

Train your brain to be patient and tolerate more mental exertion by pushing your limits in a controlled and safe environment. Don’t do anything high-stakes and remember to do this moderately. Over-exercising isn’t healthy and neither is over-pushing the brain.

The key here is to gradually build your cognitive abilities through practice. One day you can try focusing for 15 minutes and if that becomes easy for you move up to 20 minutes. Incrementally increase the amount of time and the intensity of your brain exercises.

Read often to build reading and language skills. Take some time in the day to think creatively and write your thoughts down in a concise manner. Do some math problems, learn a new language or learn to play an instrument.

6. Rest

Sleep is rest, sure. But resting on other occasions even if you’re not sleeping is important. Resting the brain can mean giving yourself a moment to sit down and do nothing, avoiding screens for a little to rest your eyes, pacing around the room without work, etc. Make sure you take ample rest time for your brain.