Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nutrition. Show all posts

Which Foods Keep Your Brain Working Well?


Thanks to all the pressures of modern living, we all discover that from time to time, we are often too tired or stressed to think. Nevertheless, this may not be the case since there are varieties of readily available spices, drinks, and foods that we can consume, not only to boost or energize our memory and help us focus, but also to delay or reverse the onset of debilitating diseases which affect the brain such as the Alzheimer's Disease.

Sometimes we all lose interest or focus in whatever we are doing due to stress or fatigue. By good luck, there are some supplements or foods that can improve focus, memory, and concentration, in accordance with the recent research by the World Health Organization (WHO). If you combine and mix these 'brain foods' with daily exercise, good night's sleep and good hydration, you could significantly boost your brain power. So if you are searching for ways to boost your memory, enhance concentration and stay focused, you can check out these simple and readily available foods that will make you smarter like Einstein in no time.

APPLES

Apples are the king of fruits and they are also known for the brain food. They are one of the foods that scientists say will contribute to overall good health, help you to think clearly and of course, boost your memory. We all know the old saying, 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' and 'you are what you eat' which certainly stills holds true even today. So what makes the apple the top of this list? Well, they contain a certain group of compounds and nutrients such as pectin which are fiber, quercetin which protects and boosts memory, riboflavin which produces energy and lastly polyphenol which are strong antioxidants. These compounds help to protect the brain from the kind of damage that cause neuro degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Not only do they have brain power but they also help to lower blood cholesterol levels, build strong teeth and prevent the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol (a chemical process that turns it into an artery clogging plague). They also decrease the risk of liver, lung, colon, breast and other cancer as well as asthma and heart disease.What a wonderful fruit! Also, make sure that you eat the peel as the apple skin has 2 to 6 times the antioxidants as the flesh.Cherries, oysters, berries and even curry also have a high rank among foods that can help boost your brain, promote heart health and give you energy.

CINNAMON

Did you know that cinnamon was worth more than gold to the ancient Egyptians? This is mostly because cinnamon was long believed to have healthy and medicinal properties which made it extremely valuable. There are thousands of man made supplements, food products and chemically manufactured tablets that claim to increase or boost brain power but none of these offers the delicious, tasty flavor cinnamon does. Even today, cinnamon is still one of the most consumed and used products in the world. It is a sweet smelling spice that has been found to boost and energize brain activity and help to relieve memory loss and nervous tension. Cinnamon is also a safe and tasty method to slow down the aging process. Chewing cinnamon flavored gum or just smelling it can help to improve and enhance the cognitive process. It also contains a chemical compound known as sodium benzoate which is used to treat neural disorders. Cinnamon has 3 active compounds which make it so nutritious such as the Cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamyl acetate. It also contains a flavonol range and other antioxidants along with a remarkable amount of fiber, calcium, and manganese. These compounds have proved to boost memory, curb food cravings, reverse or delay cognitive impairment and benefit Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and diabetic patients. Cinnamon is indeed nature's wonder spice.

COFFEE

Coffee is the planets most single valuable traded food commodity with more than 2 billion cups enjoyed worldwide daily. It's effectiveness as a high-performance brain fuel continues to make it liquid gold and it is not surprising that it's main active ingredient is caffeine. Coffee helps you to wake up in the mornings and keeps you active throughout the day. So how does this magic ingredient help boost your brain? Well, as the caffeine hits the brain it suppresses a neurotransmitter known as adenosine, which influences alertness, concentration, and attention. It works up on your brain during the day just like a mercury rising in the thermometer. Caffeine also stimulates brain chemicals such as dopamine and glutamate which helps and gives you an energy surge, improve your mental performance and slows down the age related mental decline. It also increases serotonin (a major mood influencer) and improves learning up to 10 percent. Caffeine has even proved to relieve headaches and migraines, benefit Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and type 2 diabetic patients. There is also a downside to coffee since caffeine can affect sleep patterns and evidence also suggests that there's an association between daily intake of caffeine, day time sleepiness and sleep quality.Coffee is truly a perfect method to energize and boost your brain.

CHOCOLATE

Today chocolate is considered an anti flammatory, anti aging 'superfood' for both the brain and the body. But how does this lenient treat live up to its plug? Eating amounts of dark chocolate is guaranteed to have many health benefits as they assist the brain to release chemicals known as endorphins (which help the brain to function much better). The studies examining the health benefit of chocolate continue to show new and appealing benefits of chocolate, especially in the realms of mood, cognitive function, and heart or blood vessel health. Also eating chocolate can improve anxiety and depression symptoms and help improve feelings of contentedness. If you consume the right kinds of chocolate every day, they can help to keep your mind sharp and alert, keep your cardiovascular pumping and keep your mood happy and calm. For instance, cocoa chocolate and dark chocolate are best known to boost attention, working memory speed, brain processing speed and speech fluency (even to the elderly). These chocolates are a rich source of flavanols, which are compounds that boost the brain activity and enhance mood effects as well. You can eat as little as a third chocolate per day to increase the blood flow to your brain and also protect yourself against age related issues such as memory loss.

EGGS




According to the latest news in nutrition, eggs are now back from exile just on time to help the aging America from memory loss. Eggs, and especially the yolk, have received a lot of attention with controversy over their cholesterol content. So how do eggs actually help to boost the memory? Well, as it turns out, eggs are packed with choline, that your brain converts to acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter that assists the brain cells to keep the memories intact and communicates with each other). With less than 80 calories each, eggs are comparatively loaded with protein and they have a low calorie. Eggs are also packed with cholesterol which made them end up on the 'bad for you' list in the first place over the past few decades.One York has 200 mg of cholesterol, and for many years, it was believed that dietary cholesterol was the major contributor and cause of heart disease. But it appears that it was mistaken much like the tenacious myth that skims milk is much healthier than whole milk. Eggs contain many nutritive elements that your brain and other body cells need every day. They are rich in choline, vitamin B12, and folate which is good for boosting g your memory.

WATER

Your body was designed to work in a specific way just like any other machine that has specific instructions about what it requires and how to keep it operating optimally. Over 70 per cent of your body is made of water and every function in the body depend on the water including the activities of the nervous system and the brain. Your body is also composed of a delicate balance of minerals, electrons, and organic compounds most of which are supplied through the water that you drink. Therefore, it is proven that if you're not well hydrated, it can affect your focus, cause headaches, lead to memory loss, cause depression, sleeping problems, anger issues and brain fatigue. Drinking water provides your brain with enough electrical energy for all the brain functions including memory processes. You will also be able to think fast, be more focused, experience great creativity and clarity and even reduce the risk of neurotransmitter diseases. It is quite easy to integrate a few supplements or foods that will enhance your memory and focus in your daily diet. You can take an egg in the morning, a cup of green tea after lunch, some curry in your spaghetti sauce at supper time and a lot of water to keep the brain working well.

OILY FISH

No doubt you have possibly heard that eating fish can make you smarter, which to some extent is completely true. Eating oily fish that are high in the essential omega 3 or fatty acids such as salmon, trout, sardines tilapia and other fish can help to boost the brain. Fatty acids that are found in fish and seafood are crucial components of our brain cells and they improve learning strength and memory function by up to 15 per cent. Studies show that eating food rich in omega 3 can boost the blood flow of the brain, improve the performance of mental tasks and reduce the risks of suffering from neurotransmitter diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia. Also by eating oily fish, you can increase your brain size in later life and also help to prevent age related mental decline. Fish have added the benefit of containing the nutrient choline (a chemical which is essential for memory). Since the solid (non-water) part of your brain is composed of fat, you must provide it with 'good fats' or the essential fatty acids through your diet because the body doesn't produce them. Fish is really an amazing brain food.

SPINACH

A single bunch of spinach can perform wonders for your brain. Spinach was long promoted as the food which gave Popeye his convex muscles. Spinach is loaded with antioxidants which scientists say could block the effects of the free radicals, toxins produced by the body which damage cells and cause cancer, strokes and heart disease. It is also a great source of folate and a kind of vitamin K and vitamin E which help to boost the brain memory. It contains flavonoids that act as potent antioxidants which slow the effects of aging on the brain. It also boosts learning capacity and motor skills. A few leaves of cooked spinach loads a third of foliate and 5 times the amount of Vitamin K that you require in a day. Maybe this is why a neurology study in 2006 reveals that eating three plates of leafy-green, cruciferous and yellow vegetables a day can reverse or delay cognitive decline by 40 percent. Spinach has not only proved to help the brain but it also gives a knock-out punch to cancer and it even protects and improves eyesight. Spinach is packed with high-quality nutrition enough to make you feel like the bulging Popeye.

GRAPE JUICE

Grape juice contains protein, fiber, copper, iron, potassium, folate vitamins A, K, C and B2. They are also rich in polyphenols and natural sugar, which must be consumed in moderation. Therefore, including a glass of tasty grape juice in your daily diet might just boost your memory and your brain performance. It also helps those who live a stressful lifestyle like working mothers. Studies show that by adding a glass of grape juice (especially concord grape juice) to the daily diet might boost memory function and performance of highly stressed people and even in elder people with mild declines of memory. Concord grape juice is a rich and good source of polyphenols and potent antioxidants which mop up or clear harmful reactive species of oxygen which have been recognized as the key to the ageing process. So by consuming or adding concord grape juice to your daily diet for about three months you may boost your spatial memory and drive performance. Grape juice not only helps to boosts your memory but it also protects you from cancer, lowers bad cholesterol, improves cardiovascular health, fights fatigue and it improves eyesight. It is also evident that grape juice also has a long term effect which can allow you to consistently maintain a better performance even when you have stopped drinking it.

IRON

Iron deficiency is the most common condition that is often linked to numerous adverse effects like diminished intelligence, short attention span and difficulty in concentrating. Iron is a required nutrient for it the production of hemoglobin (the component in red blood cells that carries oxygen and delivers it to the tissues). If iron becomes deficient in your body, hemoglobin levels can fail and then cause anemia. Iron also participates in the making of the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) like dopamine and serine which have broadly advantageous effects on the brain function and mood as well. An easy blood test is conducted to determine whether you have iron deficiency. Study shows that adult women require 18 mg of iron every day, post menopausal women and men require 8 mg every day. Adding more iron rich foods will not automatically boost your brain power, but being even mildly deficient in iron could negatively impact memory, learning and attention span. Chicken livers are on offer the top sources of food that is rich in iron, with 12.8mg per 3 - ounce serving. Even though they are high in cholesterol, they are comparatively low in saturated fat. Other sources of food that are rich in iron are oysters (with nearly 10 mg per dozen) and the lean beef (with 6 mg per ounces). Also beans, vitamin C and iron fortified cereals help the body to absorb iron.

Blackberries

If you want to slow down your ageing process and also preserve your brain's activity and vitality, the secret to doing so is by taking blackberries. These juicy and delicious berries have a phenomenal anti oxidant properties which boost your brain power and nourish your body. They contain high amounts of ellagic acid and garlic acid, a well known chemo preventative (with anti bacterial and anti viral properties). They are also rich in fiber and vitamin C which have been shown to help decrease the risks of certain cancers. They have low carbohydrates, calories (70 calories per cup)and they have no fat. This means that you can take a lot of this stupendous fruit without having the guilt or sabotaging you weight loss target or objectives. These taste and delicious fruit contains several micro nutrients which work wonders on your body. Blackberries are indeed an amazing superfruit.



https://ezinearticles.com/?Which-Foods-Keep-Your-Brain-Working-Well?&id=9763614

One Big Secret To Having More Energy And Why You Need It

To Have More Energy We Need To Fuel Our Bodies And Our Minds

I was working with a group of business owners recently discussing their goals and aspirations and how to plan for them. I always begin with their vision for life, but inevitably we end up discussing the 'energy' it takes to start, keep going, stay balanced, appreciate your achievements, and do everything else that's required too. I believe this is especially important for women. Because I believe this is fundamental to all aspects of life, and to everyone, not just those in business I thought I'd share my thoughts here.

Remember, you need to put fuel in your car if you're going on a journey!

When your energy is running low and you can't keep going you could feel any number of these things:

Overwhelmed
Tired
Lacking enthusiasm
Not feeling in the flow
Lacking empathy, intuition or spirituality
What's the point?
No / low motivation
It's all just a bit too much
Things happen to you instead of everything falling in to place
You can't hear yourself think - let alone that quiet inner intuitive voice
One step forwards, two steps backwards
and plenty more.
If you feel like this - or similar - or if you just want to ensure you never do, you can do something to help you have more energy.

The Secret Is That You Need To Find The Right Combination Of Fuel To Keep You Going
It doesn't matter whether you have a massive life goal, a business idea, a busy family to look after, or anything else, we all need to look after ourselves first in order to do all the things that life demands. Or that we demand of ourselves.

I think there are four absolute essentials that no-one can continue to function without addressing.

Sleep - Are you getting enough? This is so important. Everyone is different but we all need a decent amount of good quality sleep overnight to ensure we are functioning at our optimum. It helps us to process all the things that go on inner lives, and also to regenerate physically. Personally I need 7 1/2 to 8 hours sleep. Ask yourself are you getting enough uninterrupted sleep? If not, is there anything you can do to help with the situation. I'll be writing more on this in the next few weeks, so watch this space!

Hydration - There is a consensus that 8 8 ounce glasses a day (about 1.9 litres) will keep you hydrated, improve your skin condition etc. There is also a school of thought that as your body is a self-regulating system you should go with the thirst trigger - i.e. when you're thirsty have some water. There is also conflicting opinion about what you should drink - just water, or does tea and coffee count? (there's even one study that shows beer can count but personally I'm not convinced this is such a great idea!) You can only go by what feels good to you. I personally know that when I drink 2 litres of (just) water or a combination of water and fruit/herbal teas, a day I feel more awake, have more energy and sleep better. I'll be doing some more research on this so keep an eye out. In the meantime, do you think you drink enough water? Be honest now, I know some people who go all day without a drink, is that you? What could you do to improve your hydration? Why not monitor it to see if it makes you feel better?

Nutrition - Food is the fuel that keeps our bodies and our minds functioning. If we under or overfill our tanks, we won't perform at out optimum. If we use diesel instead of unleaded we could have problems. Do you turn to high fat, high sugar snacks to get you through the day? Do you eat out of boredom, to procrastinate, or as a reward? Is this the best way to fuel yourself for all the things you want to or have to do in your life? Often the short cuts will have long term effects that we won't realise until it's too late. Lots of people say they can't eat breakfast. I was one of those people once, a long time ago. However, I know that if I fuel myself correctly in the morning I can get so much more done. This is especially important if I have a morning at the gym planned otherwise I won't make it through the classes. What changes could you make to improve the nutrition that your body receives?

Exercise - this may seem counter intuitive, but exercise really helps to improve your energy levels. If you can find the energy to exercise (eat good food!) then exercise will give you more energy to fulfill all the other things you want or have to do. It helps improve your mood, gets your heart and lungs pumping so you have more oxygen and nutrients being delivered to the cells of your body, you have more energy and stamina, and helps you to fall asleep faster, and have a better quality of sleep (just don't do it too late at night otherwise you'll be buzzing). I mix things up and change my exercise routines regularly. I love training with weights but the gym can be lonely, so currently I prefer classes, they are fun, you get to meet people and I think I work harder with a trainer in the room. I like high impact, cardio vascular training, but I also love yoga and dancing so I have a real mix of exercise going on, at least 4 times a week. What can you do to add some regular exercise in to your week? A brisk walk with the dog? What do you love to do? A dance class may be more appealing than a run.

What Happens If Your Car Runs Out Of Fuel?

Make Sure you Top Up Regularly To Ensure You Have More Energy to Keep Going.
These are my basic requirements to keep myself energised. I don't always succeed in all areas but I do know that if I feel a bit run down at any point, I'm missing at least one of them. There are two other slightly less basic needs that I have, and I believe most people do, so I'm going to cover them briefly.

Make Sure You Have Enough Alone Time As Well As Human Contact To Help Give You More Energy
When I spend a lot of time continuously with people, especially if I'm training or running a workshop I can eventually feel a bit drained. This happens for lots of reasons including simply the physical energy it takes to participate in the event. I know that I need some quiet time to myself to regenerate and get my energy levels back to normal. Meditation is great for this, as is getting out in nature, or even just a quiet cup of tea on my own without any other stimuli.

Conversely, too much time spent alone can drive me a little bit bonkers! When I'm home based and haven't had human contact for a while I can feel a bit low and de-energised. this is when I need to get out and remember that I'm part of the human race. Text messaging and email doesn't really solve it as it's silent, non-human contact. The gym helps, combining this element with exercise is brilliant but doesn't always fully fix the problems there's not as much interaction as I need. Grabbing coffee with a friend, having a good catchup on the phone, going to a social or business event, or rounding a few people up for a night out are great ways to feel that connection with others again.

Be honest, check in with yourself now and again and ask yourself, do I have enough energy to fuel my life, as I want it to be? Is there something missing? If in doubt, try it out. see what happens. Have you ever thought you wouldn't go to that class, or in that run, and then when you do you tell yourself off for forgetting how great it makes you feel? Remember those moments. Leave yourself notes if necessary!

Take the time to find your required fuel combination, and keep topped up to ensure you have more than enough energy to fulfil all the things you wish to in this life.

http://ezinearticles.com/?One-Big-Secret-To-Having-More-Energy-And-Why-You-Need-It&id=9259696

One Big Secret To Having More Energy And Why You Need It


To Have More Energy We Need To Fuel Our Bodies And Our Minds

I was working with a group of business owners recently discussing their goals and aspirations and how to plan for them. I always begin with their vision for life, but inevitably we end up discussing the 'energy' it takes to start, keep going, stay balanced, appreciate your achievements, and do everything else that's required too. I believe this is especially important for women. Because I believe this is fundamental to all aspects of life, and to everyone, not just those in business I thought I'd share my thoughts here.

Remember, you need to put fuel in your car if you're going on a journey!

When your energy is running low and you can't keep going you could feel any number of these things:

  • Overwhelmed
  • Tired
  • Lacking enthusiasm
  • Not feeling in the flow
  • Lacking empathy, intuition or spirituality
  • What's the point?
  • No / low motivation
  • It's all just a bit too much
  • Things happen to you instead of everything falling in to place
  • You can't hear yourself think - let alone that quiet inner intuitive voice
  • One step forwards, two steps backwards
  • and plenty more.
If you feel like this - or similar - or if you just want to ensure you never do, you can do something to help you have more energy.

The Secret Is That You Need To Find The Right Combination Of Fuel To Keep You Going
It doesn't matter whether you have a massive life goal, a business idea, a busy family to look after, or anything else, we all need to look after ourselves first in order to do all the things that life demands. Or that we demand of ourselves.

I think there are four absolute essentials that no-one can continue to function without addressing.

Sleep - Are you getting enough? This is so important. Everyone is different but we all need a decent amount of good quality sleep overnight to ensure we are functioning at our optimum. It helps us to process all the things that go on inner lives, and also to regenerate physically. Personally I need 7 1/2 to 8 hours sleep. Ask yourself are you getting enough uninterrupted sleep? If not, is there anything you can do to help with the situation. I'll be writing more on this in the next few weeks, so watch this space!

Hydration - There is a consensus that 8 8 ounce glasses a day (about 1.9 litres) will keep you hydrated, improve your skin condition etc. There is also a school of thought that as your body is a self-regulating system you should go with the thirst trigger - i.e. when you're thirsty have some water. There is also conflicting opinion about what you should drink - just water, or does tea and coffee count? (there's even one study that shows beer can count but personally I'm not convinced this is such a great idea!) You can only go by what feels good to you. I personally know that when I drink 2 litres of (just) water or a combination of water and fruit/herbal teas, a day I feel more awake, have more energy and sleep better. I'll be doing some more research on this so keep an eye out. In the meantime, do you think you drink enough water? Be honest now, I know some people who go all day without a drink, is that you? What could you do to improve your hydration? Why not monitor it to see if it makes you feel better?

Nutrition - Food is the fuel that keeps our bodies and our minds functioning. If we under or overfill our tanks, we won't perform at out optimum. If we use diesel instead of unleaded we could have problems. Do you turn to high fat, high sugar snacks to get you through the day? Do you eat out of boredom, to procrastinate, or as a reward? Is this the best way to fuel yourself for all the things you want to or have to do in your life? Often the short cuts will have long term effects that we won't realise until it's too late. Lots of people say they can't eat breakfast. I was one of those people once, a long time ago. However, I know that if I fuel myself correctly in the morning I can get so much more done. This is especially important if I have a morning at the gym planned otherwise I won't make it through the classes. What changes could you make to improve the nutrition that your body receives?

Exercise - this may seem counter intuitive, but exercise really helps to improve your energy levels. If you can find the energy to exercise (eat good food!) then exercise will give you more energy to fulfil all the other things you want or have to do. It helps improve your mood, gets your heart and lungs pumping so you have more oxygen and nutrients being delivered to the cells of your body, you have more energy and stamina, and helps you to fall asleep faster, and have a better quality of sleep (just don't do it too late it night otherwise you'll be buzzing). I mix things up and change my exercise routines regularly. I love training with weights but the gym can be lonely, so currently I prefer classes, they are fun, you get to meet people and I think I work harder with a trainer in the room. I like high impact, cardio vascular training, but I also love yoga and dancing so I have a real mix of exercise going on, at least 4 times a week. What can you do to add some regular exercise in to your week? A brisk walk with the dog? What do you love to do? A dance class may be more appealing than a run.

What Happens If Your Car Runs Out Of Fuel?

Make Sure you Top Up Regularly To Ensure You Have More Energy to Keep Going.
These are my basic requirements to keep myself energised. I don't always succeed in all areas but I do know that if I feel a bit run down at any point, I'm missing at least one of them. There are two other slightly less basic needs that I have, and I believe most people do, so I'm going to cover them briefly.

Make Sure You Have Enough Alone Time As Well As Human Contact To Help Give You More Energy
When I spend a lot of time continuously with people, especially if I'm training or running a workshop I can eventually feel a bit drained. This happens for lots of reasons including simply the physical energy it takes to participate in the event. I know that I need some quiet time to myself to regenerate and get my energy levels back to normal. Meditation is great for this, as is getting out in nature, or even just a quiet cup of tea on my own without any other stimuli.

Conversely, too much time spent alone can drive me a little bit bonkers! When I'm home based and haven't had human contact for a while I can feel a bit low and de-energised. this is when I need to get out and remember that I'm part of the human race. Text messaging and email doesn't really solve it as it's silent, non-human contact. The gym helps, combining this element with exercise is brilliant but doesn't always fully fix the problems there's not as much interaction as I need. Grabbing coffee with a friend, having a good catchup on the phone, going to a social or business event, or rounding a few people up for a night out are great ways to feel that connection with others again.

Be honest, check in with yourself now and again and ask yourself, do I have enough energy to fuel my life, as I want it to be? Is there something missing? If in doubt, try it out. see what happens. Have you ever thought you wouldn't go to that class, or in that run, and then when you do you tell yourself off for forgetting how great it makes you feel? Remember those moments. Leave yourself notes if necessary!

Take the time to find your required fuel combination, and keep topped up to ensure you have more than enough energy to fulfil all the things you wish to in this life.


10 Behaviors of Unstoppable Entrepreneurs



Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. It requires the kinds of habits that most people simply don’t have, along with a discipline, passion and dedication that are unmatched among non-business owners. And while every entrepreneur is different, we all have a lot in common -- including many of the same habits.
Here are 10 behaviors shared by unstoppable entrepreneurs:

1. They plan their day in advance.

In business, it’s easy to let other people’s priorities run your day. Phone calls, emails, appointments, meetings -- it never ends. Unstoppable entrepreneurs plan their day in advance, before the mayhem begins. But they don’t just make any old plan -- they make sure to block out time for their most important priorities.

2. They get proper nutrition and exercise.

This simply can’t be overstated. Being a productive, unstoppable entrepreneur is about your body just as much as your mind and will. If you don’t take care of your nutrition and daily exercise, you aren’t going to be at your best -- and you definitely won’t be unstoppable. Drink a lot of water, eat breakfast and get your body moving. You’ll be much more successful as a result.

3. They position themselves to serve.

Those who focus only on their own success are the ones who don’t succeed at all. To be effective as a business owner, you need to serve your customers. That might come through in the way your products make their lives easier or the way your customer service efforts delight them. Whatever the case may be, setting service as one of your top priorities is a surefire way to become unstoppable.

4. They set clear goals.

Every unstoppable entrepreneur has clear goals. Knowing your goals will keep you going when things get tough and give you something to focus on when you’re not sure what to do next. But your goals shouldn’t just focus on the long term. Have long-term, mid-term and short-term goals. Doing so allows you to plan your days and weeks with unmatched focus, knowing exactly what you’re shooting for.

5. They take calculated risks.

People have an image of entrepreneurs as those who take crazy risks just for fun. But while the risks we take may be crazy to those without an entrepreneurial mind, in reality, they’re calculated. Or, at least, they should be. If you’re the type of business owner who jumps in without knowing the numbers and probabilities behind your course of action, you won’t last long. 

6. They know their strengths and weaknesses.

Successful business owners are honest with themselves. They know their own strengths and weaknesses, and take them into account with every business decision. It takes humility to really examine yourself this way, but it will pay great dividends when you know exactly who to hire, who to partner with and what skills you can offer.

7. They hire A-team players.

Entrepreneurs that don’t succeed are often those who are afraid to have A-team players on their staffs. They either feel threatened or they won’t offer the incentives needed to hire the best. Either way, they lose. To be an unstoppable entrepreneur, you’ve got to hire the best. Focus on those who fill in whatever gaps you currently have. Doing so will help you create the amazing team that’s needed for success.

8. They are constantly learning.

Unstoppable entrepreneurs know that they don’t know it all. As a result, they never stop learning. Never get so busy that you stop investing in yourself and your knowledge of business, your industry and new technology. Staying up to date is essential if you want to succeed.

9. They are always looking for opportunities.

Entrepreneurs who are really successful don’t rest on their current successes. They realize that life changes quickly, and that business moves at an even faster pace. To be unstoppable, always be on the lookout for your next opportunity. Spot new trends in your industry, or look for a new application of an old tool. You’ll never get stuck in the old when you make it a priority to watch out for the new.

10. They evaluate their actions and priorities each day.

Successful entrepreneurs know that with every day, they’re building their futures. That’s why they rarely let one go by without doing a review. When you review your accomplishments at the end of each day, you’ll be able to celebrate the successes, as well as address the shortfalls. It’s a great practice to begin right away.
As I said earlier, being an unstoppable entrepreneur is no easy feat. If it was easy, everyone would be one. Instead, only a few have the privilege of calling themselves entrepreneurs. If you want to join this exclusive club, make it a priority to practice these 10 behaviors of unstoppable entrepreneurs.

5 Steps to Better Brain Health



The number of people who'll develop dementia in the next 20 years is expected to substantially increase. It’s no surprise then that millions of research dollars are being earmarked for unlocking the combination for sustained brain health—either to prevent dementia or, at least, slow it down. Much of this research targets pharmaceutical interventions, but there is increasing data substantiating the importance of lifestyle factors in sustaining brain health as well.
Let’s examine five that appear to influence brain health:
  1. Nutrition
    No surprises here. In general, the types of foods and nutritional habits that reduce heart disease and diabetes appear to benefit the brain as well. A diet low in saturated fat and sugar promotes better blood circulation within the brain, whereas saturated foods clog the arteries that feed the brain. Several studies have found a protective effect with fish consumption, particularly those with higher omega-3 percentages, such as salmon and tuna. Nuts and dark-colored vegetables, berries, as well as the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods including whole grains, legumes and nuts, plus a splash of olive oil, are also proven to help brain function. More recently, fish oil capsules in a recent study have been found to preserve cognitive function and brain volume. Further, deficient  levels of Vitamin D have been found to significantly increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
  2. Health
    As you might expect, high blood pressure and being overweight significantly increase the odds of dementia later in life. Weight gain can significantly elevate blood pressure, and high blood pressure increases the risk of strokes. Even small strokes (microinfarcts), which are often undiagnosed, may set up the brain for dementia. For example, studies have found that individuals who had high amounts of microinfarcts also had the lowest cognitive scores.
  3. Brain Games
    Since the brain builds neural networks by learning new material, quite a bit of attention has focused on creating games that will build up the brain’s “muscle.” Crossword and maths puzzles are frequently mentioned in this category. More recently, private companies have developed computer games for the purpose of stimulating different brain functions, particularly concentration. There is some data to support that this can make a difference, but the majority of this research has been conducted by the actual game manufacturers. Unfortunately, it appears that any gains achieved in these games do not typically extend beyond the specific game itself, let alone to daily life.
  4. Stretching the Comfort Zone
    Muscles grow by being challenged and feeling uncomfortable. It is quite likely that the brain grows in the same way and, like a muscle, it too needs to be challenged in ways that make it somewhat uncomfortable. In particular, it might be that learning for the sake of learning is not always enough. Perhaps emotional challenges might offer a more substantive impact. For example, individuals who are engaged with others in problem solving show some protective effect against dementia. Perhaps this is due to the brain being stimulated in both the cognitive problem solving and the emotional regions of the brain. Conversely, individuals who are depressed and isolated are at a higher risk for dementia. Overall, it is possible that the activities which are both a cognitive and an emotional challenge deliver the greatest benefit. Examples of these types of challenges include learning and conversing with others in a new language, taking up a musical instrument and performing with other musicians in front of live audiences, actively volunteering and participating in new causes that you feel passionate about, or even taking up public speaking–particularly if you have been fearful of doing so in the past.
  5. Meditation and Hypnosis
    Both hypnosis and meditation have been proven to spark changes in the brain. They are capable of influencing vascular blood flow, electrical activity and stimulating specific regions of the brain. Furthermore, both approaches can influence the magnitude of inflammation in the body. These methods are excellent tools for controlling the stress and the fear response, which are directly connected to the inflammatory response. What makes this particularly important is that the inflammatory process is associated with dementia. Although it has not been proven to cause dementia, there is strong evidence that it influences the progression of the dementia process. Additionally, inflammation is strongly linked with actually shrinking the hippocampus, the brain’s memory centre, which is significant because an atrophied hippocampus is often found in Alzheimer’s. For many, the idea of taking time out for meditation and hypnosis might seem formidable. Fortunately, there are studies that reveal how even short interludes of hypnosis and meditation can make a substantive difference—even something as simple as listening to a guided recording at night.
The brain is a muscle, and like any other muscle, it needs to be kept in shape through nutrition, mind-body techniques, and interactive problem solving. Remember: A stimulated brain is a happy brain.