Brain Bulletin #84 - The Simplest Way to Increase Brainpower

What's the easiest, quickest way to increase your brainpower?

Stand up right now and go for a walk. But, read this first.

A new study recently found that going for a 30 minute walk every day can cut your risk of memory loss and Alzheimer's by a whopping 50 percent!

How come?

Walking maintains your brain size. Increased blood flow and oxygen supply to your neurons prevents brain shrinkage that can occur as you age.

Also, consider this:

• Walking is free.
• Walking does not stress your joints.
• When you travel, walking is the best way to explore.
• Regular walking lessens your chances of diabetes.
• Walking perks up your mood, and adds energy.
• Walking is good for your heart. And what's good for the heart is good for the brain.
• Regular walkers have fewer strokes than their sedentary peers.

The relationship between walking and brain health is clear. So, here's what I did:

I read numerous times that 10, 000 steps are needed every day for basic brain and heart health. I wasn't really sure how many daily steps I was getting. So, I got a pedometer.

My pedometer cost 35.00. It has a motion detector, and I just put in my front pocket and off I go. Here's the interesting part. The first few days I got in around 10,000 steps. I was quite pleased when I hit 12,000 one day. Then the number started heading up, and it kept going. It is rare now that I don't get in 20,000 daily steps. And, it doesn't seem like I'm doing anything different. Just having the pedometer in my pocket seems to nudge by lobes to get up and move more.

Remember, speed matters when you're walking. Pick up the pace a little......

Even simply standing up is good for your brain: Stand Up for your Brain

Congratulations on learning something about your brain today. The Brain Bulletin is committed to help to do just that. If you missed any Brain Bulletins you can find them in the Brain Bulletin Archive: Brain Bulletin Archive

Also, something great and ongoing for your brain:

Follow the Brainguy on Twitter:

You can join Terry Small's 2400 followers for free on Twitter: www.twitter.com/terrysmall

Twitter is a great way to learn and fuel your brain. I just posted a helpful article called "8 Study Snacks that Make Kids Smarter".

I will be posting, or tweeting as it's called, regularly about the brain. What I'm reading, watching, thinking, doing....all as it relates to your brain. Twitter restricts tweets to 140 characters, so it is always quick and to the point. No time wasting!

Twitter has the easiest sign up page in the world. Even if you are not on Twitter you can check out my tweets here: www.twitter.com/terrysmall

I would also be happy to connect with you on Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=62461206&trk=tab_pro

And, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TerrySmallTheBrainguy

I had a great December. Lots of family time, walking, and reading. My favorite book this month was "I Can Make You Smarter" by Paul McKenna. I picked it up at the ECIS conference in Nice. The book is full of practical strategies. No time-wasting.

My first presentation of 2013 is this Monday at Surrey Welcome Centre. The topic: "Welcome to Your Brain". January will be busy with 15 presentations. I get to speak in Aspen, Colorado to E3 Financial, and also to the Young President's Organization in Vancouver. At the end of the month I keynote "A Healthy You Conference" on Vancouver Island.

To all my new friends in Ireland, I am pleased to be returning the week of Feb. 2-9, 2013. I will be working with Poll Moussoulides and David Coleman.