52 Small Changes for the Mind: Improve Memory, Minimize Stress, Increase Productivity, Boost Happiness

52 Small Changes for the Mind: Improve Memory, Minimize Stress, Increase Productivity, Boost Happiness

by Brett Blumenthal

Small changes work. In this practical book, wellness expert Brett Blumenthal reveals how to hone in on the mind as the foundation of overall health and well-being. She presents one small, achievable change every week—from developing music appreciation to eating brain-boosting foods, practicing mono-tasking, incorporating play, and more. The accumulation of these lifestyle changes ultimately leads to improved memory, less stress, increased productivity and sustained happiness. Backed by research from leading experts and full of helpful charts and worksheets, 52 Small Changes for the Mind provides a road map to a better life—and proves that the journey can be as rewarding as the destination.

Summary Notes

Stress Management

“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.”

Stress is a normal part of life. As we grow up, stress becomes part of our daily routine, whether we experience it at work or home. We may have even hit some points in our lives when we don’t recognize that some of our behaviors directly affect our stress levels. Even though our body is designed to experience and react to it, we need to find healthy ways to cope with it. 

Have you ever thought of ways to manage your stress? The benefits of practicing healthy stress management activities are indispensable to our minds and bodies. Research shows that 43% of adults suffer adverse health effects due to chronic stress. It becomes even more harmful when we start to use drinking, smoking, or other addictions as a way of coping with our stressful experiences. Thus, learning some tips to cope with stressful situations is mandatory for the sake of our mental and physical well-being.

Actions to take

Have some fun

“Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening. Treat it with care.”

Increasing our levels of happiness and detaching for a bit from our daily sources of stress is essential. But what can we do to take a break and have some fun once in a while? Spending time with our closest friends and family members, listening to music, or going for a walk are just a few examples.

Making an effort to have some fun regularly can greatly impact your health and overall state of mind. Prioritize yourself and take care of your mind and body. Research shows when we enjoy some fun with other individuals, we build trust and develop our communication skills.

Actions to take

Concentration and Productivity

“We can feel confident that, regardless of the outcome, our actions are in concert with what we believe and value.”

Have you ever felt lost when it comes to taking the next step towards your goals? Enjoying success takes a lot of practice. There’s no such thing as the perfect individual who is always driven and concentrated on their intentions. Discipline is something you master, not something you wake up with. 

Nowadays, we are all trapped in the modern belief that everyone has it all figured out. But, this is far from the truth. Setting realistic goals of the things you want to achieve is mandatory. From this point, you can take small steps into building the ideal version of yourself. Think about all the habits you must learn to get yourself to where you want to be. Exercising, taking time for yourself, living in a productive environment, and being accountable for your actions are just a few examples of the things you need to practice.

Taking care of your body, mind, and soul implies great dedication to your most authentic self.

Actions to take

Memory and Anti-Aging

“We have the power to create physical changes in the cellular structures of the brain, developing new nerve pathways, which can directly result in improved cognitive function, a slowed aging process, and enhanced memory.”

Taking care of our brain is essential for our overall health. Every day, we need to practice rituals that benefit our body, especially when it comes to our brain health. Developing unhealthy habits such as poor sleep or a bad diet can harm our bodies in the long term. 

When performing daily habits, it’s best to include those that positively impact your body. Research shows that meditating regularly is a great way to boost our memory and concentration, facilitating the blood flow to the brain. Other examples of activities that are beneficial for brain health are reading, learning new things, proper sleeping, and having a balanced diet. 

As we all get older, including these habits in our daily routine is highly beneficial. They will not only keep our overall well-being healthy but will also enhance our memory.

Actions to take

Cultivate Happiness

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.”

Being happy is such an ambiguous concept as all of us have a different concept of what brings us joy in our life. When we ask ourselves what makes us happy, we might come up with all kinds of answers like money, success in our career, or love. While these are great things to have, we also need to learn how to be constantly happy with smaller things. 

Have you thought of what you can do to increase your levels of happiness without putting in so much effort? Simple things like smiling, trying new experiences, and spending time with our loved ones can instantly boost your overall state of mind.

When you want to be happier, the first thing you can do is to stop comparing your achievements to others. Try to become engaged in every activity you plan in your day, and you’ll feel a sense of fulfillment from every small task you complete. 

Keep in mind that the happiest people don’t have the best. Instead, they create the best out of everything.

Actions to take

Find Fulfillment

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”

As we all live such fast-paced lives, we often forget how to create a sense of fulfillment in our lives. Involving yourself in different activities that nurture your soul and create a sense of fulfillment is very important to one’s sense of living. 

There are small steps you can implement in your routine weekly, which have a major positive influence on your well-being. The key to creating fulfillment and enjoying achievements is finding the resources inside yourself–not from external factors.

Actions to take

Don’t just read. Act.
Read comprehensive summaries and discover carefully compiled action lists for active learning
Phone