Hack Your Brain for Success.
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School
by John Medina
Science
TL;DR
This book drops 12 savage rules for hacking your brain. It's all about optimizing your meat computer by understanding its natural quirks. You'll learn to boost focus by breaking up tasks, supercharge memory by connecting new info to old, and crush stress before it turns your brain into mush. The core vibe is working with your brain's biology, not against it, using movement, sleep, sensory input, and emotional intelligence to unlock peak performance. Basically, stop treating your brain like a dumb phone and start treating it like the supercomputer it is, with specific strategies for everything from learning to chilling out.
Action Items
Go for a 10-minute walk right now, even if it's just around your block.
Set a "wind-down" alarm for an hour before your desired bedtime tonight and put your phone away.
When tackling your next task, set a timer for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break to do something completely different.
Pick one new thing you learned today and explain it out loud to yourself, connecting it to at least two things you already know.
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Key Chapter
Chapter - Your Brain's Gym Membership (aka Exercise)
Ever feel like your brain's running on fumes after sitting still for too long? This chapter drops the bomb that movement isn't just for your bod, it's crucial for your brain's glow-up. Think of it like this: your brain needs a constant flow of fresh oxygen and nutrients to stay sharp, and sitting on your butt all day is like putting a kink in the hose. Getting your heart rate up, even for a short burst, supercharges your cognitive functions, making you think clearer, remember better, and even feel less stressed. It's not about becoming a gym rat; it's about giving your brain the fuel it needs to stop being a potato. So, next time you're stuck, get up and move – your brain will thank you.
Key Methods and Approaches
Your Brain's Battery Pack
(AKA: Exercise)
Description:
Your brain needs to move its ass to function properly.
Explanation:
Imagine your brain is a phone battery. Sitting still all day is like leaving it unplugged and running a million apps. It drains fast and gets sluggish. When you move, you're essentially plugging it into a supercharger, pumping fresh blood, oxygen, and good vibes (neurotransmitters) straight to your grey matter. It's like giving your brain a Red Bull, but healthy.
Examples:
Taking a "hot girl walk" during your lunch break instead of scrolling TikTok.
Doing jumping jacks between study sessions.
Standing up and stretching every hour during a long gaming session.
Dancing like a maniac to your favorite song when you're stuck on a problem.
Today's Action:
Go for a 10-minute walk right now, even if it's just around your block.
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