Easy Ways to BOOST FOCUS

Brain fog doesn’t have to be a ‘normal’ part of aging. Here, study-backed tips to help you stay sharp

“[Deep breathing] is one of the big keys to feeling more energetic and gives you better focus.” Marilu Henner, 65

Most of us don’t have Marilu Henner’s uncanny ability to remember everything. (She has what’s called a super autobiographical memory.) Still, it is possible to be even sharper and smarter as we age. “There are simple things you can do every day to maximize your brainpower and prevent dementia,” says psychotherapist Mike Dow, author of The Brain Fog Fix. Read on for the study-proven strategies.

TO IMPROVE RECALL

For an instant memory boost, talk with your hands. Research at the University of Chicago reveals that people who do so remember 35 percent more about a conversation than those who keep their hands still.

The scientists say the motion seems to activate the hippocampus — the brain’s key memory center. And for lasting benefits, Dow suggests supplementing with Natrol Cognium ($19, iherb.com) — it contains a protein (called BF-7) that has been shown to enhance recall by 90 percent.

TO CLEAR MENTAL CLUTTER

When the area of the brain that controls anxiety (the basal ganglia) is overactive, it’s impossible to concentrate or feel calm. To quiet this brain region and optimize focus, take a minute to close your eyes, tune out visual distractions and collect your thoughts. British researchers discovered that this strategy improves focus and memory by 23 percent.

TO SHAKE OFF GROGGIES

Any time brainpower starts to stall and fuzzy thinking sets in, try sitting up straighter — this can increase your productivity and alertness by as much as 55 percent in 60 seconds, report scientists at Cornell University. That’s because slouching compresses blood vessels in the chest and abdomen, reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Tip: Tucking a rolled-up towel behind your lower back when seated can help ward off slouching.

TO INCREASE ALERTNESS

The distinct scent of lime stimulates the brain’s frontal lobes to produce energizing beta waves — an effect that increases mental stamina for up to one hour, according to scientists at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago. For on-the-go convenience, tuck a bottle of lime essential oil in your purse. When you need a brain boost, roll the vial in your palms for 30 seconds (heat intensifies the aroma), open the lid and inhale deeply several times.