The human brain is one of the most wondrous things in the universe, but there is a sense that we’re failing to make the most of it, with some of our habits and behaviors actively working against brain optimization.

In Sort Your Brain Out, brain scientist and television personality Dr. Jack Lewis and motivational speaker Adrian Webster describe a number of ways in which we can better understand, optimize, and utilize our brains in order to live a healthier, happier, and more productive life.

1. Rehydrate your brain – The duo remind us that while the brain is mostly water, most of us start our day already dehydrated, which inhibits the performance of our brain.  Therefore, we should strive to drink a glass of water as soon as we wake up to kick start our brain and get rid of the woolly-headedness that so often accompanies us when we wake up.
2. Get plenty of exercise – The benefits of regular exercise are well established, but the pair remind us that we can often overlook the tremendous benefits exercise brings to our brain as well as our body.  Not only does exercise release endorphins that make us feel good, but it also helps the brain to function better and new brain cells to be created in the hippocampus.
3. Manage your stress levels – While stress tends to have a bad reputation, it is obviously necessary for us to get things done.  While a bit of stress in the short-term is helpful, however, chronic stress is most definitely not and can harm the functioning of our brain among various other health implications.
4. Enjoy time in nature – A recent study from the University of Michigan provides yet another example of the benefits of nature to our emotional and physical wellbeing, so it should come as no surprise that this is one of the key tips recommended by Lewis and Webster for good brain health.  20 minutes per day is all it takes to get the right boost.
5. Moderate your caffeine intake – Caffeine is another substance that can be useful if consumed in the right amounts, but Lewis and Webster remind us that it tends to stay in our system for a long-time.  As a result, they urge us to cut out caffeine in the afternoon if we want to get a good night’s sleep.