Your brain is an organ, not a microchip. At least for now. And as long as your brain continues to be an organ, it’s a good idea to treat it like one. That means providing intentional care and operating from a set of facts about how to get the most out of your cognitive engine.
Fact #1: Brains are hungry, and they need high-quality fuel.
Despite accounting for only 2 percent of your total body weight, brains consume 20 percent of your energy. That’s a lot of energy just to keep the lights on! And in case you’ve forgotten, coffee doesn’t count. Consuming high-quality protein, fiber, and good fats throughout the day keeps your sugar levels from spiking (and crashing) and leads to steadier thinking performance.
Fact #2: Multitasking isn’t a thing. It’s rapid task-switching. And it’s bad.
Our brains aren’t built to process two things simultaneously. When you’re reading a quick email during a meeting, you’re switching from one action in your brain to another and then back again. Each time you do that, you’re draining your brain’s batteries and giving neither task your full attention.
Don’t believe me? While it’s true that we can drive our car and sing a song out loud at the same time, as soon as we get lost, what do we do? We automatically reach for the volume button to turn it down. In that moment, your brain needs focused effort to get you back on course. Chances are, you should be spending more of your work day using focused effort, rather than on autopilot.
Fact #3: Brains need to be shut down at night, just like your computer
Many knowledge workers live their lives on a screen, spending between 7 and 10 hours per day staring at computers, tablets, phones, and televisions. Because the human body wasn’t built for that, it takes a toll on our concentration, eyesight, and overall well-being. The more screen time we spend, the more our brains scream for a break from that routine.
Especially for bedtime, brains need a wind-down routine that signals operating in a different mode. Reading a book or doing a meditation instead of one last look at email will make an impact on your overall brain health.
Fact #4: Sleep is essential to high-performing brains
Have you ever bragged about not needing more than a few hours of sleep each night? It’s just an illusion. Sleep is your brain’s janitorial service. It’s the time when your brain clears away toxins and integrates what you learned that day into your cache of knowledge. With a good night’s sleep, you wake up smarter than you were when you got under the covers. Insufficient sleep, on the other hand, leads to memory loss and irritability.
In this fast-moving and complex world, we’re asking a lot of our brains. They can’t deliver if we don’t provide sufficient fuel, care, and maintenance. Unlike a laptop, you will only ever have one brain and there’s no warranty. It’s a good thing to keep in mind if you want to keep your mind.