Mental Mojo

Doing things even slightly differently can have good effects on mental acuity. For example, if you brush your teeth with your right hand, try doing it with your left. That small change can stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, or BDNF, which enhances the growth of long-term-memory neurons. It can also improve mood. When you’re depressed or under stress, your BDNF plummets. Anything unexpected can activate BDNF, even a change in the gym, like a new exercise. IM