千奇百趣学英文09.30

大话妹

5 Ways to Beef Up Your Brain
5个方法“搞掂”你个脑

Forget where you left your keys this morning? Or maybe you left your umbrella in the office before a rainy evening.Don't worry, it's probably not a sign of Alzheimer's — everyone is a little forgetful now and then.


But while there is still a lot to learn about our noggins, several studies have worked out a few ways to help keep your thinking organ in shape, now and as you age.



1. Eat Your Brain Food
You are what you eat, or at least your brain is. A diet of junk food can junk up your brain, which can negatively affect the brain's synapses. Synapses connect the brains neurons and are important to learning and memory. On the other hand, a balanced diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids — found in salmon, walnuts and kiwi fruit — can give the synapses a boost and help fight against mental disorders from depression to dementia.


2. Hit the Gym
Giving the rest of your body a workout can also improve your memory, make you think more clearly and decrease the risk of developing cognitive diseases, several studies have suggested.

3. Mind Benders
Give your brain a workout, too, with crossword puzzles and memory games — studies have shown that using these tools to stay mentally active can reduce the risks of developing dementia by building and maintaining a reserve of stimulation in your brain.

4. Memory tricks
Keeping information stored in your memory banks and retaining that memory with age may also be a simple matter of mind control. Prediction can also enhance memory: If you have a good idea of the information you'll need to recall later, you're more likely to remember it.

5. Give it a Rest
Sleep gives your brain a chance to replay the memories of the day and consolidate them for long-term storage. A 90-minute mid-afternoon nap can even help solidify long-term memories, such as events or skills you are trying to master. Siesta anyone?



Useful Expression

• noggin [‘nCgin]
  n.小杯, 少量饮料(常指四分之一品脱)

• synapse [si’nAps]

    n.
   [解]神经原的神经线连接, 神经键

• cognitive [‘kCgnitiv]

    adj.
    认知的, 认识的, 有感知的

davidliu

WELL DONE.Noted and studied