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1. CHEWING GUM: The habit, favoured by the likes of top former football boss Sir Alex Ferguson, improves memory by up to 35%, according to researchers at Northumbria University. They believe it increases the flow of oxygen to the brain. A Cardiff University study also found it improved concentration.
2. CUTE PICS: It’s the perfect excuse to surf the web for some images of adorable animals. Experts at Hiroshima University in Japan found that looking at images of the cute critters increased concentration and helped people perform better in tasks.
3. DAYDREAMING: Staring out of the window could help, according to scientists at the University of British Columbia. They found that when people let their minds wander, the parts of their brain linked to problemsolving became more active.
4. COLOURING IN: The Duchess of Cambridge is just one of the millions of Brits enjoying the trend for adult colouring books and a study at the University of the West of England revealed that they could increase creative thinking. Doodling has also been linked to a 30% memory uplift.
5. SALSA DANCING:
Get up and show off your Strictly moves. Researchers at Coventry University found that just one 30-minute session of a salsa-style dancing routine could boost several areas of cognitive function by up to 18%. 6. ORDERING A CURRY: Spice up your thinking with a takeaway. Turmeric, often found in hot dishes, can boost the brain’s ability to heal itself according to a German study. It’s reckoned the stuff has an anti-inflammatory effect and may even reduce dementia risk.
7. BRUSHING YOUR TEETH:
Make sure you clean your gnashers twice a day. Researchers at the University of California found that people who brush their teeth infrequently could be up to 65% more likely to develop dementia. Scientists linked gum disease to destroying vital neurons.
8. DRINKING FIZZ: Knocking back three glasses of bubbly a week could be the key to good brain health, say experts at Reading University, who found that a compound called phenolic acid in champagne could boost spatial memory.
9. HAVING A SNIFF:
Scent success by seeking out certain smells. Scientists found that the odour of rosemary can increase speed and accuracy in tests, while other studies reveal that the pong of peppermint makes you more alert and the waft of a lemon makes typing more accurate.
10. ENJOYING A ROMP:
Having regular sex can boost blood flow to the brain and help the creation of new neurons according to one US study. And, researchers at Rutgers University in the US found that the mental benefits from orgasms were greater than from playing popular brain games like Sudoku.