happy brainThe human brain is responsible for almost everything that our bodies and mind can do. From being able to feel to being able to move, think, memory, feelings of love, hate, everything is due to the brain. A happy brain leads to a happy life. Having said that, most of us don’t really know how to keep the brain happy.

Here are a few easy tips for a happy brain:

1. Work Your Brain

The human body works like a well-oiled machine. The more you work it, the more efficiently it works. The brain is no different in that respect. An easy tip for a happy brain is to work it.

In this day and age, there are loads of distractions around us, from the plethora of TV channels churning out mindless shows to addictive video games, not all of which are challenging to the brain. When was the last time you engaged your brain in something challenging? You need to make a conscious effort to keep your brain active to make it happy. Play games that challenge your mind. Read an informative book, or maybe watch a documentary. If you can’t seem to pry yourself from your computer or iPad, try and make it a habit of reading up on things that interest you on the internet, instead of wasting your time away.

Many people don’t realize just how dangerous an inactive brain can be. Research shows that individuals with inactive brains have higher chances of brain disease including Alzheimer’s.

2. Feed Your Brain

One of the easy tips for a happy brain involves eating right. How many times in life do we diet in order to reach a particular weight goal? You need to start feeding your brain specifically to ensure its health. A diet high in processed sugars, fats and cholesterol are bad for the brain.

It has been suggested that a Mediterranean diet is excellent for the brain. Things like vegetables, fruits, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil are all known to do wonders. Try and keep your diet balanced. A healthy dose of antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients are also needed for a happy brain.

3. Work on your relationships

Humans need relationships to feel like they truly belong. An easy tip for a happy brain involves working on your relationships. Much research has been done on the effects of relationships on the brain. Improved social interactions have been known to reduce brain disease substantially.

Go out and make friends. Spend time with your family. Hang out in places where you get to meet new people and engage with them. Social activity with individuals who matter to you is vital for the brain to be healthy and happy.

4. Learn to meditate

Life is tough, we get it. And that is why it is crucial that you take time out for yourself and relax. When life seems to be speeding out of control, take a second and slow down. It may sound hard, especially if you lead a fast-paced life with no real time for yourself. But knowing that this affects the happiness of your brain should serve as motivation for you to make some time.

Research shows that meditation and yoga reduce stress levels exponentially. It allows the mind to relax and normalize its chemical balance. The brain cannot be happy when it is overstressed.

Pick any one of the various relaxation techniques out there and incorporate them into your lifestyle. Even an hour a day of yoga or meditation will do your brain a tremendous amount of good.

5. Be Grateful 

We are plagued with the sense of wanting more and more in our lives. An easy tip for a happy brain is to decide not to do that anymore. Learn to be grateful for what you have. If you can do that, your brain would be happier far more easily. This is something which is not hard to do at all. You just need to be mindful. It can be conditioned into your way of thinking.

An observation study conducted on a group of students in 2003, concluded that people who were grateful were far happier than the others. The fact is, the more you reflect on what you have rather on what you don’t, the easier it is for the brain to be happy.