cognitive performance
PositiveTip for
Mild Dehydration Can Negatively Affect Your Mind
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Small amounts of dehydration negatively influence cognitive performance!
More than 50 Tufts University male and female students from athletic teams volunteered to examine the effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance. Each was assigned to complete team practices either with or without water replacement. Following cognitive tests, those in the "dehydration group" demonstrated higher negative mood ratings and confusion than the hydrated group. Those who had water replacement showed better vigilance and attention than the other group, as well. The amount of mild dehydration (1-2%) experienced by these subjects was similar to what many people experience in their busy, daily lives when they skip drinking sufficient water.
PositiveTip for
Combination of Diet and Exercise Potent in Preventing Dementia
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
The combination of diet and exercise proves potent in lowering the risk of dementia.
We all know diet and exercise are important. New research suggests the combination of both may be particularly beneficial in lowering the risk of dementia. In a five-year prospective cohort study of elderly in New York, both high physical activity and high adherence to a Mediterranean diet (high intake of fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, and low intake of saturated fats, dairy products, and meats) were associated with lower risk for cognitive decline--absolute risk was 19% in people with low physical activity and low diet adherence, compared with 12% in those who reported high levels of both behaviors.
PositiveTip: Eating a healthy diet and getting appropriate physical activity regularly can improve your chances of having a sharp mind well into your sunset years!
Do Less at One Time: You Will Accomplish More!
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Have you seen any high-tech jugglers? They keep several instant message threads and email conversations going, listen to music, watch television, and jump from one website to another while trying to complete another task!
A new study conducted at Stanford University has found those who regularly bombard themselves with several streams of electronic information do not pay attention, control their memory, or switch from one job to another as well as those who prefer to complete one task at a time! The researchers found that heavy multitaskers pay a significant mental price.
PositiveTip for
Stress May Impact Cognitive Performance
Posted by Fred Hardinge on
Are you under a lot of stress and facing examinations? Relax, your scores will improve!
Chronic stress is a well-known risk factor for major conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. In healthy individuals it can disrupt creativity, flexible problem solving, and working memory. These are all related to processes dependent on an area of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC).