Have you ever had one of those days when you felt unusually sharp? You were able to focus your concentration, and problem-solving was a breeze. Most of us have experienced that kind of "brain power" at one time or another. Unfortunately, we're just as likely to have experienced days when we felt we're not quite as on top of things.

Is there any way to make sure mental acuity wins out over "brain drain?"
Some studies suggest that taking a "use it or lose it" approach is one way
to optimize your brain power. By exercising your brain just as you would any other part of your body, you give it the opportunity to function at its best. Some ways to do this are to give yourself some mental exercise by solving puzzles or riddles, or by playing strategy games, like chess or backgammon. Visualization techniques are also a form of mental exercise that sharpens your focus, as well as improving performance in whatever activity you visualize. You may, for instance, become a better pianist by imagining yourself performing a difficult concerto.

Exercising your brain seems to have the potential to improve concentration and reaction time and to enhance overall performance. Additionally, visualization of success often helps boost self-confidence and self-esteem and gives you a positive attitude about your abilities.

Scientists have shown that emotions have a strong effect on brain power,
which suggests that learning to control your emotions might help optimize performance in many areas. Negative emotions often result in "self-talk" that is damaging (e.g., "I'm so bad at this! I'll never get it right!"), which in turn can cause anxiety and loss of concentration. Relaxation techniques, such as biofeedback and meditation, can often help ease anxiety. (And, the concentration required to meditate also improves your brain power.)

And don't forget the importance of exercise. Staying physically fit affects
your brain as much as the rest of your body, with aerobic exercise being
especially beneficial. Swimming, jogging, dancing and walking all get your heart pumping and send oxygen to your brain. Engaging in aerobic exercise has been shown to improve scores on certain types of creativity tests, which suggests it may have a positive effect on a wide variety of tasks not normally associated with physical activity. Aerobic exercise also appears to increase memory retention and has been shown to improve some types of problem-solving skills.

Keep in mind that exercise provides optimal results when it's combined with a proper diet. Your brain needs a well-balanced supply of nutrients to function properly. (It's known that severe malnutrition during a child's
development can negatively impact intelligence.) To protect your brain
power, make sure you get the proper nutrients on a daily basis. The usual healthy eating plan works best -- a low-fat diet that includes lots of
fruits, vegetables and grains. And if you're more likely to eat on the run
than sit down to a well-balanced meal, take a vitamin and mineral
supplement, particularly those that include fish oils and vitamins C and E (all shown to have a positive effect on brain function).

Additionally, certain herbal supplements are targeted specifically at
improving brain function. Ginkgo biloba and ginseng have demonstrated
significant improvements in memory and learning. Ginkgo biloba may also help alleviate symptoms of depression, resulting in improved sleep patterns and cognitive behavior.

Finally, learn to relax. Stress and over-stimulation impose a very real
danger on your brain cells. Take a daily "brain power nap," allowing
yourself some time to daydream.

Eat right, get enough rest and relaxation, and exercise your body and your brain -- simple steps to ensure you'll keep your brain power for a lifetime.