Exercise

Brainpower Newsletter

I have covered the benefits of exercise for brainpower many times now. This is because there is often new research in this area, and it seems important. Apart from the research, though, I like to report also on my own experience and experiments. As you know, I am an advocate of safe experimentation by non-scientists. Although anecdotal stories and personal experiences are not scientific evidence, they do point to areas that science can then explore.

So what have I found in regards to exercise and brainpower? Well, I like to climb the 14,000-foot (4,000 meter) mountains here in Colorado, so I get my share of exercise during the summer. I can tell you without a doubt, that I have a lot of my best ideas while I am hiking up those trails. I can also report that I don't get the same brain boost from bicycling or doing yard work, which can be equally strenuous.

Walking - even in the oxygen-deprived air up in the mountains - seems uniquely suited to clearing the mind and letting it function efficiently. I noticed this long before I started hiking to the top of these mountains (sometimes I just walk up the hill above town here). The faster circulation that results may be important, but I suspect that the rhythmic nature of walking also contributes to the effect.

If you try it, I recommend that you carry a notebook and pen, or a small tape recorder. You might want to have a goal in mind, like a problem to solve or a story you want to write. (Maybe novelists could benefit from a daily hike with a tape recorder.) Walk for at least ten minutes. I have talked to others who get the same effect from a good walk, so I think you'll be happy with the result.

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter.

Should we go beyond reason for more powerful thinking? It makes sense to me. The idea may sound like an excuse for irrationality - and could be used that way - but it can also be the recognition that there is more than reasoning ability involved in high-quality thinking.

Suppose, for example, we learn that in house fires children's pajamas often catch on fire, causing injuries and death. We also know that there are materials which are more fire-resistant, and therefore safer. Starting with these premises, we make a law requiring pajamas to be...

Continued here:
http://www.increasebrainpower.com/beyond-reason.html

- In a random group of 23 people, the likelihood that two have the same birthday is greater than 50%.

- Yosemite Falls (California) is the highest waterfall in the United States. It is 2,425 feet (739 meters) high.

In recent research done at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, mice were genetically engineered to lack a particular enzyme in their brains. The result? Smarter mice. Researchers say that the increase in intelligence seems to come from the mice's greater sensitivity to their surroundings.

The mice were better at learning to navigate mazes and remembering where a certain box was that caused an electric shock. They also were quick to recognize when the maze was changed, and then developed new routes. It is hoped that the research can be applied to humans to treat such disorders as Alzheimer's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Get enough vitamin E. Your brain cells are especially susceptible to "free radicals." These are unstable, damaging molecules. Antioxidants reduce the damage, even to the point of delaying or preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Both alpha tocopherols and gama tocopherols are highly protective antioxidants, so be sure your vitamin E supplements have "mixed tocopherols." You can also eat foods rich in vitamin E, including green leafy vegetables, almonds, whole grains, corn oil and sunflower oil.

Yesterday's date was 07/07/07. I'm not big believer in lucky numbers, but I do know that we can create our own luck, so it seems as good a time as any to remind you about my book, "Secrets Of Lucky People," which is now for sale on the site:

Another collection of new concepts in several areas. As usual, these are from my imagination, and are not patented or trademarked, as far as I know. Hopefully you'll find them useful, intriguing, or at least funny.

New Concepts - Inventions

Human kites. You may have noticed my interest in kites. I used to design and build them while living alone in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Hang gliders are like kites, I always thought, but since there isn't much altitude in Michigan, I often wondered if you could use them in high wind, instead of from high hills. I can't think of a reason why, if tied to the ground by a strong line, you wouldn't rise up in a hang glider, just like a kite. To come down, you would just detach the line and glide back down.

Magnetic paintings...

Continued here:
http://www.999ideas.com/new-concepts.html

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Until next time,

Steve

www.IncreaseBrainpower.com

Riddle solution: I'm a snake!

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