Ten Ways to Train Your Brain (and Your Body)

Feeling guilty because your bottom's looking a little flabby from all the time you spend sitting around playing Sudoku? You already know the number puzzle game won't help you reshape your body into the 21st century version of Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man. But if it'll make you feel better, at least your brain's getting a major workout when you play. Sudoku's one of Lifehacker's "Top 10 Tips and Tricks to Train, Exercise and Better Your Brain".

The list suggests some creative approaches to working your noggin, like learning something new everyday by visiting Wikipedia:Random, or pretending you're a teacher. Apparently if you act like you're teaching yourself something, you'll recall information and avoid making basic mistakes. Some of the other tips—like practicing basic math facts and ditching your laptop to write things by hand—are common sense.

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However, the top tip—exercise and eat well—is the one that's good for your brain and your body. Humans simply can't function well mentally or physically on a steady diet of BBQ Pop Chips and Red Bull. Trust me on that one. I've tried.

If you commit to daily exercise and ditch the junk food, your brain will have the nutrients it needs to operate at a peak level, and your body's going look and feel better.

photo (cc) via Flickr user fpra