Showing posts with label amazing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label amazing. Show all posts

Ten habits of Highly Effective Brains


Today in our busy lives we might focus on our physical health but totally neglect our brain fitness. Our brain is responsible for not only undertaking our mental tasks but also helps us carry out physical functions and for that a healthy brain is a prerequisite. Approximately there are 1.1 trillion cells and 100 billion neurons in an average human brain. The slowest information processing speed of a brain is 260 mph.

 
A brain thinks 70,000 thoughts in a day out of which most of them are repeated over and over again, so when the next time you think something take some time to think about your brain as well. Researchers today suggest a healthy lifestyle that benefits in maintaining effective and vibrant brains. Following is the list of ten essential habits necessary for a healthy brain, let’s review them and try to apply them in our daily lives.

1. LEARN ABOUT YOUR BRAIN AND USE IT


Each of us should have an understanding of what are brains made up of and what are the elements involved in its functionality. This will help us to appreciate the beauty of our brain and would enhance its working ability. The brain comprises of 3 main sub-systems, Neocortex, Limbic System and Cerebellum. Neocortex performs high level thinking and helps undertake integrative tasks such as conceptualizing, planning and controls movements and senses. Limbic system is in charge of emotions and memory. Cerebellum regulates breathing, heartbeat and maintains motor coordination. When we use our brains the neurons interact with each other which results in maintaining an active brain. The more we will put our brains to work the more efficient it will get, as they say “Use it or lose it”.


2. HEALTHY DIET MEANS HEALTHY BRAIN


Stuff your brain with some fats, we mean the good fats such as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, these fat aids the flexibility of the neurons.Yet another amazing fact is that the brain weighs only 3lbs but consumes 20%-25% of the body’s energy supplies. Brain requires a lot of glucose and it is evident that the major cause of dementia is the lack of brains ability to consume glucose efficiently.

The antioxidant foods are also beneficial for the brain as it is prone to oxidative damage. Antioxidants foods include spinach, potatoes, nuts, green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits.

The trick is to have a healthy diet in order to maintain a healthy brain. Choose natural sources of these food rather than taking supplements. Dr. Larry Mc Cleary recommends fatty fish, vegetables, fruits like berries and nuts as a part of the daily diet.

3. FITTER BODIES WILL GET YOU FITTER BRAINS


Recent studies have helped to conclude that regular physical exercise may result in developing fitter brains.  A study by Kramer and colleagues in 2010 revealed that children who had high levels of physical activities were more mentally efficient. It was also analyzed that such children had larger hippocampus that is responsible for developing new memories. The research is also applicable to adults and it has been proved that physically fit adults have higher cognitive performance. Aerobic exercise for 30-60 minutes three times a week is also very beneficial for enhancing memory and improving brain health.



[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOpKziGrxSE[/embed]


 

4. BE OPTIMISTIC


Ever wondered how dangerous stress and anxiety could be for your brain?  It can damage the neurons in the brain and prevents building up of new ones as well. The key to a healthy brain is to develop future-oriented, positive thoughts. Guide your brain towards positive thinking and make it your habit for life time. Meditation and yoga can be very helpful to develop positivity.


5. CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN


Once neurons are developed in our brains, for how long will they survive depends on the way we make use of them. Mental challenges such as new activities and brain games enhance cognitive fitness. Computer based programs, puzzle games, meditation or music notes, each one of them act as a tool that may improve a specific cognitive function. Researches show that a simple game like Sudoku can help improve brain functionality.

6. DON’T LET YOUR BRAIN RETIRE


There are no age limits involved as far as learning is concerned. The brain development never stops no matter how old you grow, so it doesn’t mean that if you have graduated from college it’s your time to say goodbye to learning. A study published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives proved that people taking early retirements reflected a quick decline in their memory. A working environment comes with multiple cognitive challenges thus resulting in healthier and sharper brains. Therefore, it is better to “retire the word retirement”.

7. TRAVEL AND EXPLORE


Traveling would enable your brain to adapt to new environment, experience unknown challenges and make explorations. Undertaking daily routine work does not help develop the brain.  To increase brain activity new experiences and learning environment is a must and traveling can provide such opportunities to the brain.

8. AVOID TAKING SUGGESTIONS


Don’t let anyone spoon feed your brain, solve your problems yourself. You might find your friends and neighbors very smart but when it comes to decision making let your brain do its own work. When you outsource your brain you are actually depriving it from developing its problem solving skills.

9. SOCIALIZATION- A HEALTHY BRAIN DEVELOPING TOOL


Man is a “social animal” and this aspect has also been proven to be beneficial for maintaining a well developed brain. Though physical and mental exercises are important but if these activities involve social interactions they can prove to be more fruitful. Therefore, pondering over a problem by yourself may result in brain exercise but discussing it with a group would further boost brain activity. Why social interactions are more helpful in brain development? The reason is that when we are involved in a group activity our brain focuses on memory, control and attention processes and help us develop our problem solving skills.

10. LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE EVEN FOR THE BRAIN


A good humor helps brain in two ways, one it manages stress level and two it boosts the immune system. Studies reveal that people who laugh quite often do not get ill. So whenever you feel low call up one of your friends with whom you enjoy a good laugh, it will work miracles for your brain.

Remember, this article is only helpful if you try to introduce these habits to your daily life until they become your mind’s default set up. You can pick each habit one at a time, bring it to practice and then see for yourself what wonders it can do for you.


30 abandoned places that look truly beautiful

Take a tour of the world’s apparently robust supply of statues, buildings, and temples–and witness the surprising grandeur of dilapidation.

1. Christ of the Abyss, San Fruttuoso, Italy

(Italian: “Il Cristo degli Abissi”) is a submerged bronze statue of Jesus, of which the original is located in the Mediterranean Sea off San Fruttuoso between Camogli and Portofino on the Italian Riviera. It was placed in the water on 22 August 1954 at approximately 17 metres depth, and stands c. 2.5 metres tall. Various other casts of the statue are located in other places worldwide, both underwater and in churches and museums.
Via: en.www.lensart.ru
Via: en.www.lensart.ru

2. Kolmanskop, Namib Desert

(Afrikaans for Coleman’s hill, German: Kolmannskuppe) is a ghost town in the Namib desert in southern Namibia, a few kilometres inland from the port town of Lüderitz. It was named after a transport driver named Johnny Coleman who, during a sand storm, abandoned his ox wagon on a small incline opposite the settlement.[1] Once a small but very rich mining village, it is now a popular tourist destination run by the joint firm NamDeb (Namibia-De Beers).
Via: photography.nationalgeographic.com
Via: photography.nationalgeographic.com

3. Dome houses, Southwest Florida

Built in Naples in 1981, the futuristic igloos seen above may not be around much longer. Falling into disrepair, one dome home owner seeking to restore the vintage vestibule has encountered nothing but exorbitant fines and bureaucratic hassles in the process.
Via: reddit.com
Via: reddit.com

4. SS Ayrfield, Homebush Bay, Australia

SS Ayrfield (originally launched as SS Corrimal) was a steel-hulled, single screw, steam collier of 1140 tonnes and 79.1m in length. It was built in the UK in 1911 and registered at Sydney in 1912. It was purchased by the Commonwealth Government and used to transport supplies to American troops stationed in the Pacific region during WWII.
Via: photoree.com
Via: photoree.com

5. Wonderland Amusement Park outside Beijing, China

Wonderland is an abandoned amusement park construction project located in Chenzhuang Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, People’s Republic of China, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) outside of Beijing. Originally proposed by the Thailand based property developer Reignwood Group, and designed to be the largest amusement park in Asia (to have covered 120 acres (49 ha)), construction stopped in 1998 following financial problems with local officials, while a 2008 attempt to start construction again also failed.The site, which features a number of abandoned structures, including the frame work of a castle-like building and medieval-themed outer buildings, is being reclaimed by local farmers.
Image by David Gray / Getty Images
Image by David Gray / Getty Images

6. Fishing hut, Germany

Fishing Hut in Lake of Berchtesgaden National Park
Via: onebigphoto.com
Via: onebigphoto.com

7. Holland Island, Chesapeake Bay

Holland Island is a marshy, rapidly eroding island in the Chesapeake Bay, in Dorchester County, Maryland, west of Salisbury. The island was once inhabited by watermen and farmers, but has since been abandoned. It is located in the Holland Strait, between Bloodsworth Island and Smith Island, six miles west of Wenona, Maryland.
Via: baldeaglebluff
Via: baldeaglebluff

8. The Kerry Way walking path between Sneem and Kenmare in Ireland

The Kerry Way (Irish: Slí Uíbh Ráthaigh) is a long-distance trail in County Kerry, Ireland. It is a 214-kilometre (133-mile) long circular trail that begins and ends in Killarney. It is typically completed in nine days.It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Kerry County Council, South Kerry Development Partnership and the Kerry Way Committee. The Way circles the Iveragh Peninsula and forms a walkers’ version of the Ring of Kerry road tour.  It is the longest of Ireland’s National Waymarked Trails.
Via: leiraenkai.deviantart.com
Via: leiraenkai.deviantart.com

9. Pripyat, Ukraine

Pripyat (Ukrainian: При́п’ять, Pryp’yat’; Russian: При́пять, Pripyat’) is a ghost town near the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, part of Kiev Oblast (province) of northern Ukraine, near the border with Belarus.The city has a special status within the Kiev Oblast, being the city of oblast-level subordination (see Administrative divisions of Ukraine), although it is located within the limits of Ivankiv Raion. The city also is being supervised by the Ministry of Emergencies of Ukraine as part of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone jurisdiction.
Via: reddit.com
Via: reddit.com

10. 15th century monastery, Black Forest, Germany

The monastery was founded in 1084–85 in the Black Forest, by the source of the Brigach, against the background of the Investiture Controversy, as a result of the community of interests of the Swabian aristocracy and the church reform party, the founders being Hezelo and Hesso of the family of the Vögte of Reichenau, and the politically influential Abbot William of Hirsau. The intended site was initially to be at Königseggwald in Upper Swabia, but at William’s behest St. Georgen was chosen instead. The settlement, by monks from Hirsau Abbey, took place in the spring and summer of 1084; the chapel was dedicated on 24 June 1085.
Via: abandonedography.com
Via: abandonedography.com

11. Kalavantin Durg near Panvel, India

Kalavantin durg is situated aside the prabalgad,the pinnacle is in clouds during rains half of the time.  The base village for the climb is Prabalmachi.  A majestic trek and awesome place to visit during monsoon.
Via: natureknights.net
Via: natureknights.net

12. The remains of the Pegasus in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

Pegasus Field (ICAO: NZPG) is an airstrip in Antarctica, the southernmost of three airfields serving McMurdo Station. Pegasus is a blue ice runway capable of handling wheeled aircraft year-round, and the principal Ice Runway on the sea-ice available during the summer Antarctic field season. The other two are the snow runways at Williams Field that are limited to ski-equipped aircraft. The field is named after Pegasus, a C-121 Lockheed Constellation, still visible there in the snow after crashing in bad weather on October 8, 1970. No one on board was injured.
Via: panoramio.com
Via: panoramio.com

13. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Angkor Wat (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត) is the largest Hindu temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century in Yasodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ, present-day Angkor), the capital of the Khmer Empire, as his state temple and eventual mausoleum. Breaking from the Shaivism tradition of previous kings, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation – first Hindu, then Buddhist. The temple is at the top of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia,appearing on its national flag, and it is the country’s prime attraction for visitors.
Via: theglobalpanorama.com
Via: theglobalpanorama.com

14. The Maunsell Sea Forts, England

The Maunsell Forts were small fortified towers built in the Thames and Mersey estuaries during the Second World War to help defend the United Kingdom. They were named after their designer, Guy Maunsell. The forts were decommissioned in the late 1950s and later used for other activities. One became the Principality of Sealand; boats visit the remaining forts occasionally, and a consortium called Project Redsands is planning to conserve the fort situated at Redsand.
Via: fivelightsdown.squarespace.com
Via: fivelightsdown.squarespace.com

15. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex, England

Bodiam Castle is a 14th-century moated castle near Robertsbridge in East Sussex, England. It was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, a former knight of Edward III, with the permission of Richard II, ostensibly to defend the area against French invasion during the Hundred Years’ War. Of quadrangular plan, Bodiam Castle has no keep, having its various chambers built around the outer defensive walls and inner courts. Its corners and entrance are marked by towers, and topped by crenellations. Its structure, details and situation in an artificial watery landscape indicate that display was an important aspect of the castle’s design as well as defence. It was the home of the Dalyngrigge family and the centre of the manor of Bodiam.
Via: commons.wikimedia.org
Via: commons.wikimedia.org

16. Czestochowa, Poland’s abandoned train depot

Via: nedhardy.com
Via: nedhardy.com

17. Sunken yacht, Antarctica

In April, a 76-foot Brazilian yacht named Mar Sem Fin (Endless Sea) sank off the coast of Antarctica, likely due to ice compression and strong winds. Four crew members were rescued from the yacht, which is owned by Brazilian journalist João Lara Mesquita, who was in the region producing a documentary, according to MercoPress.
Via: ruschili.35photo.ru
Via: ruschili.35photo.ru

18. Abandoned distillery, Barbados

Source: i.imgur.com  /  via: reddit.com
Source: i.imgur.com / via: reddit.com

19. Michigan Central Station, Detroit

Michigan Central Station (also known as Michigan Central Depot or MCS), built in mid-1912 through 1913 for the Michigan Central Railroad, was Detroit, Michigan’s passenger rail depot from its opening in 1913 after the previous Michigan Central Station burned, until the cessation of Amtrak service on January 6, 1988. At the time of its construction, it was the tallest rail station in the world.
Source: i.imgur.com
Source: i.imgur.com

20. 1984 Winter Olympics bobsleigh track in Sarajevo

Sarajevo Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track is bobsleigh and luge track situated on Trebević mountain overlooking the City of Sarajevo, built for 1984 Winter Olympics.
Source: flickr.com
Source: flickr.com

21. Craco, Italy

Craco is an abandoned commune and medieval village located in the Region of Basilicata and the Province of Matera in Italy. About 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the instep of the “boot” of Italy. It is typical of the hill towns of the region with mildly undulating shapes and the lands surrounding it sown with wheat. It was abandoned in 1963 due to recurring earthquakes.
Source: i.imgur.com  /  via: reddit.com
Source: i.imgur.com / via: reddit.com

22. Russian military rocket factory

These incredible pictures were taken by a young Russian woman after she crept inside a factory belonging to one of the world’s top manufacturers of liquid-fuel rockets. Lana Sator found her way into one of NPO Energomash’s huge factories outside the Russian capital Moscow, without coming across a single security guard – or indeed any other employees at all.
Source: lana-sator.livejournal.com  /  via: i.imgur.com
Source: lana-sator.livejournal.com / via: i.imgur.com

23. Abandoned mill from 1866 in Sorrento, Italy

The Valley of the Mills, “The name Valley of the Mills, derives from the existence of a mill – functioning since the beginning of the ’900′s – used for grinding wheat. Attached to the mill, rose a sawmill which furnished chaff to the Sorrentine cabinet makers. Everything is completed by a public wash-house used by the women. The creation of Tasso Square, since 1866, determined the isolation of the mill area from the sea, provoking a sharp rise of the percentage of humidity, which made the area unbearable and determined its progressive abandon.”
Source: logicalrealist  /  via: i.imgur.com
Source: logicalrealist / via: i.imgur.com

24. Cooling tower of an abandoned power plant

Photographer Richard Gubbels out of Utrecht, Netherlands shot these amazing photos inside the cooling tower of an abandoned power plant.
Source: flickr.com  /  via: i.imgur.com
Source: flickr.com / via: i.imgur.com

25. House of the Bulgarian Communist Party

The House of the Bulgarian Communist Party was built in another era, however, one that long ago crumbled along with the way of life it embodied.  After the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Bulgaria moved into a new age of parliamentary democracy.
Image by Dimitar Kilkoff / Getty Images
Image by Dimitar Kilkoff / Getty Images

26. Abandoned city of Keelung, Taiwan

Source: flickr.com  /  via: i.imgur.com
Source: flickr.com / via: i.imgur.com

27. Lawndale Theater, Chicago

When the Lawndale Theater of North Lawndale, IL closed permanently in the mid 2000s, it had been in use primarily as a church. The balcony was sealed off from the main level when the theater was converted into a church.
Source: ebow.org
Source: ebow.org

28. North Brother Island near New York City, New York

North Brother Island is an island in the East River situated between the Bronx and Riker’s Island. Its companion, South Brother Island, is a short distance away. Together, the two Brother Islands, North and South, have a land area of 20.12 acres (81,400 m2).
Source: ny.curbed.com
Source: ny.curbed.com

29. El Hotel del Salto, Colombia

Tequendama Falls (or Salto del Tequendama) is a major tourist attraction about 30 km southwest of Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. The thousands of tourists who visit the area to admire the 157 metre (515 feet) tall waterfall and the surrounding nature, make a stop at another nearby landmark as well, the abandoned Hotel del Salto.  The luxurious Hotel del Salto opened in 1928 to welcome wealthy travelers visiting the Tequendama Falls area. Situated just opposite to the waterfall and on the edge of the cliff, it provided a breathtaking view to its guests. During the next decades though, Bogotá river was contaminated and tourists gradually lost their interest to the area. The hotel finally closed down in the early 90′s and was left abandoned ever since. The fact that many people in the past chose that spot to commit suicide, made others believe that the hotel is haunted.
Source: alveart
Source: alveart

30. Nara Dreamland, Japan

Nara Dreamland (奈良ドリームランド Nara Dorīmurando?) was a theme park near Nara, Japan which was built in 1961 and inspired by Disneyland in California. On August 31, 2006, Nara Dreamland closed permanently.
Via: steampunkopera.files.wordpress.com
Via: steampunkopera.files.wordpress.com