7 Productivity Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

How much time and consideration do you really give to your brain? Do you marvel at its supreme power, cleverness, and the fact that this huge muscle is in constant control of your body? Do you ever take the time to give your brain a much-needed spring cleaning and an occasional tune-up?

If you’re like most people, you probably answered “no” to each of these questions. Your brain is working long hours for you on a daily basis, but you most likely rarely give it a thought.

It may not be at the forefront of your mind to give your brain a refurbishing, but this is not surprising due to human history. In fact, scientists even thought at one time that individuals were trapped with the knowledgeable muscle that they were given, so they saw no viable reason to attempt to make any improvements. Thankfully, that thought process went out the window with the birth of a new scientific theory in the 1970s called neuroplasticity.

Neuroplasticity has proven our brains have the ability to change. Instead, with the proper training, you have the ability to change and recharge your knowledge. One way to look at this is with the following phrase: The brain is a muscle that requires some daily exercise.

The exciting part is you don’t have to be rich to improve your brain power. Nor do you have to hit the books and go back to school. All you need to train the brain is a little bit of time and effort. To that end, Wrike has compiled 7 productivity tips every entrepreneur needs to know so that you can utilize to boost your brain’s ability to retain information and increase your intelligence.

7 Productivity Tips Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

1. Mediation

This is the easiest method, as it simply involves closing your eyes and taking command of your breathing. As your mind begins to drift, try to focus your attention solely on your breathing. A simple five to ten minutes of meditation per day can promote relaxation, clear the mind and prepare you for any mental activities that you encounter. This can be especially critical when you’re stressed or having a challenging day at work.

2. Daily Exercise

Regular exercise can have a positive influence on your brain functioning because it enhances the development and growth of the nervous tissue. What this means is that every time you work out, you’ll begin to develop new brain cells. You’ll also keep your body more focused and trained on dealing with one grueling activity at a time, and your risk of developing dementia will be reduced. In other words, get off the couch and get moving. Your brain is going to thank you for it later on.

3. Writing

You can use writing as a creative method for teaching your memory how to clarify your thoughts. It’s also an important way to remember things and exercise your analytical abilities. Diaries, journaling, poetry, story writing and note taking are all excellent ways to strengthen your brain power. While you don’t have to be a Pulitzer Prize winner, this simple act can better the brain, even if it’s something that’s written for your eyes only.

4. Listen to Classical Music

A University of California study found that children who studied piano or sang regularly had a better ability to solve puzzles. They also scored approximately 80 percent higher in spacial intelligence than those who didn’t. Another study found that those who listened to a Mozart sonata for approximately 10 minutes, followed by relaxation and silence, scored significantly better for a short period of time.

5. Laughter

The release of endorphins caused by humor and laughing, and this can be excellent for long-term brain health. Additionally, laughing regularly can open your mind to new ideas and thoughts.

6. Eat Healthy

A healthy diet can be instrumental in the brain’s ability to function. In fact, the brain is responsible for consuming approximately 20% of energy from the nutrients and oxygen that your body takes in. Due to this, it is vital to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and make sure you get enough omega-3 fatty acids.

7. Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep not only feels good but it is also the brain’s way of detoxifying. When the body is able to rest, it enables your brain to remove toxins and regenerate cells. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between the ages of 26 and 64 need to get seven to nine hours of sleep every night for optimal results.

If you want to take advantage of other great methods that will boost your mental juice be sure to check out the infographic , “50 Productivity Tips to Boost Your Brain Power” by Wrike.

John Rampton is an entrepreneur, investor, and startup enthusiast. He is a founder of the calendar productivity tool Calendar. You can sign up for early access to Calendar here!

This article originally appeared on Due.