How to Improve Your Thinking Skills

Co-authored by Michael Lewis, MD, MPH, MBA, FACPM, FACN

Having trouble with your thinking skills? Here are some tips to improve your thinking skills.

1

The best way to breathe is through your belly. Take several slow breaths from your belly. Stomach breathing activates your brain, helps you relax, and reduces stress and tension.This may help improve your thinking skills and memory.
- Deep breathing also increases the oxygen flow to your brain cells. As a result they become more active.^{[1]
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  Greater Good Magazine
  Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
  
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2

Studies show that chewing gum may improve your concentration skills. Chewing gum increases the flow of blood to your brain, which can enhance your memory and cognitive performance.^{[2]
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Research source} Research also suggests that chewing gum allows you to concentrate for longer and remember new information better.^{[3]
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- Opt for sugar free gum to avoid any side effects.^{[4]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
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3

To do an arm circle, extend your arm straight out to the front. Then, swing your arm all the way behind you and back to the front.^{[5]
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Research source} Always keep your elbow blocked while performing these exercises. This will increase your heart rate, which is good for your brain.

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5

Drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day. Many people are dehydrated all the time and don't realize it, and this can impact your brain function.^{[7]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Studies show that tension, depression, and confusion scores go down as your water intake increases.^{[8]
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US Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for setting and enforcing workplace safety standards

Go to source} So, make sure you drink enough water throughout the day.^{[9]
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- Avoid sodas, coffee, or sugary drinks. They can decrease your ability to concentrate and remember things.^{[10]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
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6

Consuming too much fat or sugar can negatively affect your thinking skills. Not eating can make you tired. Therefore, you should strive to eat healthy, balanced meals every day. Include foods that are linked to better brain power, such as fish, vegetables, berries, walnuts, and whole grains.^{[11]
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Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

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- Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet, DASH diet, or MIND diet for better brain health. All 3 diets emphasize limiting red meat, focusing on whole foods, and avoiding saturated fats.^{[12]
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7

Stimulate your senses while studying to improve retention. Different parts of your brain store different types of memories. For example, images are stored in one area and sounds in another. Creating a multisensory learning environment while writing an essay or preparing for an exam may potentially improve your recall.^{[13]
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- For example, you could listen to ambient music to improve your concentration while studying. Or, play with a fidget spinner or stress ball to relieve stress.

8

Try to divide the material you need to learn into sections. Maybe you could spend 10 minutes reading, 20 minutes reviewing, and 10 minutes reciting. This will force you to focus because you know that your time is limited.^{[14]
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If you get better sleep you'll be able to think better.^{[15]
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Health.gov
Online collection of health and fitness standards set by the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

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As said before, puzzles can be really helpful. They force you to think of something very deeply. They make your brain work. They bring out all the reasoning ability in you. Try to buy a book of puzzles to have better practice.

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Meditation can be helpful to think better. Start with 5 minutes in the morning and five minutes before bed, every day.

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