Brain Hacks

BY DONESA WALKER

Brain Hack #1 Improve Focus and Attention

Focus techniques for all ages are a great tool to have from Focus techniques for all ages are a great tool to have from shutting down extraneous noise and distractions to deep concentration. Deep breathing while counting in and out allows the brain to re-center and zoom in. Pull each sound allows the brain to re-center and zoom in. Pull each sound or distraction into your brain and deliberately tune it out. Emotional overload can be caused by anything from pain to irritation. Try putting your brain in logic mode by counting backwards from 100 and alternating the alphabet. Make sure this is challenging enough so you need to concentrate. sure this is challenging enough so you need to concentrate. An example counting down by 3s would be: 100-A, 97An example counting down by 3s would be: 100-A, 97B, 94-C. Alternatively, spell a word or sentence while counting backwards by 2s: 100-I 98-A 96-M 94-C 92-A counting backwards by 2s: 100-I 98-A 96-M 94-C 92-A 90-L 88-M (“I am calm”).

Brain Hack #2 Improve Visualization & Imagination Brain Hack #2 Improve Visualization & Imagination

Visualization allows the brain to travel to imaginary places while reading or thinking but it is also the same skill we use to tap into our memory for spelling and recalling facts necessary for studying. To strengthen visualization, start with a simple sentence such as “John ate a hot dog.” Describe John. Is he a person, a thing, a pet? Now describe the hot dog. Is it an actual dog, or a wiener on a hot dog bun? Is it a turkey or beef hot dog link? What is on the hot bun? Is it a turkey or beef hot dog link? What is on the hot dog? Ketchup or mustard or cheese? While this may seem simplistic, it actually allows the mind to free float and begin to see and picture alternative options which allows creative thought to emerge.

A lot of students of all ages and walks of life have a mental block when it comes to math as they do not realize the fun block when it comes to math as they do not realize the fun in the mathematical process of patterns. Math is simply an organization of many simple patterns. For example, an organization of many simple patterns. For example, did you know that all multiples of 9 added together equal 9? 9x2=18 (1+8=9), 9x3=27 (2+7=9). When you multiply a number with 9, the answer begins with one less than that number with 9, the answer begins with one less than that number and the difference from 9. The pattern is simple number and the difference from 9. The pattern is simple for finding the answer of a multiple of 9. For 9 x 4…the first number is one less than the multiple, 4-1 = 3. The next first number is one less than the multiple, 4-1 = 3. The next number is the difference between that number and 9. 9-3 number is the difference between that number and 9. 9-3 = 6. So the answer to 9 x 4 = 36. Take a deck of cards and = 6. So the answer to 9 x 4 = 36. Take a deck of cards and make a game of discovering all the fun patterns. Suddenly make a game of discovering all the fun patterns. Suddenly math isn’t threatening, but just an array of patterns. math isn’t threatening, but just an array of patterns. Processing speed affects every part of our brain and exposure to tech. Improving this skill is as simple as timing to tasks such as sorting laundry or loading a dishwasher. way to boost this skill is to record numbers as quickly as your mind can think of them or copy them. To improve auditory, you would need someone to dictate numbers or words to you to record. This can certainly be a fun exercise in a competitive manner but remember the goal is to beat oneself and not others. Memory improvement is the Holy Grail of brain hacks as this skill affects many different things. Perhaps the easiest way to hack memory is to use retrieval fluency exercises. Board games like Scattergories and 5 Second Rule focus on this skill, but you can also create your own fun and easy game to play while sitting and waiting or riding in a car. Simply choose a letter and a category and GO: name 5 foods that start with L, now 5 colors, then 5 football teams, etc. Try to remember the fourth color you listed

Brain Hack #4 Improve Processing Speed

Processing speed affects every part of our brain and unfortunately is a skill that suffers quite a bit as we age, go through life changes, have learning issues or with too much exposure to tech. Improving this skill is as simple as timing oneself and beating that time while doing any task. This could be from math facts to spelling to reading and even to tasks such as sorting laundry or loading a dishwasher. Improving visual processing/hand eye coordination requires one to be looking and passing or writing. One way to boost this skill is to record numbers as quickly as your mind can think of them or copy them. To improve auditory, you would need someone to dictate numbers or words to you to record. This can certainly be a fun exercise in a competitive manner but remember the goal is to beat oneself and not others.

Brain Hack #5 Improve Memory

Memory improvement is the Holy Grail of brain hacks as this skill affects many different things. Perhaps the easiest way to hack memory is to use retrieval fluency exercises. Board games like Scattergories and 5 Second Rule focus on this skill, but you can also create your own fun and easy game to play while sitting and waiting or riding in a car. Simply choose a letter and a category and GO: name 5 foods that start with L, now 5 colors, then 5 football teams, etc. Try to remember the fourth color you listed that started with an L.

Now test your skills…can you remember what the 3rd brain hack was without looking back at it?

Donesa Walker, M.Ed. is the owner of LearningRx of Shreveport and Donesa Walker, M.Ed. is the owner of LearningRx of Shreveport and The BrainTrain Learning Solutions.