Get Your 5 On!

The 5 Pillars of Mental Acuity

Exercising your mind on a daily basis is critical to your quality education and your success as a student. A sharp mind is essential for:

• creative thought
• higher brain function
• memory retention and recall
• sustainable energy

When we consistently practice the habits that sharpen our mind, these are the rewards we reap. These begin to be felt immediately and the long-term benefit is achieved through persistence over time.

Lifestyle Matters

These simple steps you've probably heard many times before are the fundamental keys to mental acuity. Each one has science as well as common sense behind it!  

1. Eat healthy
   
   

   There are a lot of different theories on what is healthy, even within our own team and families are different viewpoints and diets. We will not promote one diet exclusively (and by diet, we mean “eating lifestyle,” not “weight loss fad”), rather, we will touch on healthy choices.

   Some guidelines:

   • Eat less, more often. This keeps your metabolism furnace burning!
   • Raw fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds have always been and will always be nature's way.
   • Nutrition values in the soil are depleting compared to 50 years ago, so excellent-quality, real food supplements are a must. (Source - MannatechScience.org report.)

   Avoid:

   • Fast food
   • Energy drinks
   • Caffeine
   • Stimulants
   • Alcohol and nicotine
   • Other addictive substances  
     
     
2. Exercise
   

   You might as well get used to hearing this advice, it will never go away—our bodies need to move! Start wherever you are and commit to at least 3 days a week, even for just 10 minutes at first. As you are able, increase periodically to something more ideal, like an hour a day, 5 days a week.

   Suggestions:

   • Walk (you can even walk to school every day)
   • Jog
   • Bike
   • Hike
   • Swim
   • Sports
   • Dance (take a dance class)

   You might find a group in your area for many of these activities to keep you motivated and having fun!

3. Read
   
   

   Reading difficult material is a must—we recommend at least 20 minutes a day. The brain reacts in a special, enhanced way when reading and this is a critical component of mental acuity.

   Suggested reading material:

   • Spiritual / religious material
   • Personal development
   • Classic literature
   • Shakespeare
   • Scientific periodicals

   Read on paper, rather than on screen. Our brains don't process the information the same way when reading through a monitor versus on paper. Additionally, when we have a hard-copy book in hand the brain reacts more positively to the tactile experience. And you can support your local library while you're at it!

4. Write
   
   

   Handwriting is essential to sharpening our minds. Journal each day for a minimum of 20 minutes. At least write the things for which you are thankful—keep a separate gratitude journal if you want. Then branch out into other areas as you feel inspired. Processing emotions through writing is an extremely effective tool, journaling helps you evaluate your experiences and discover yourself. If you feel inclined to write negative thoughts or events, do so with a problem-solving, “what-can-I-learn-from-this” approach.

   Some journals we encourage are:

   • Gratitude
   • Personal History
   • Inspiration
   • Dream
     
     
5. Serve
   
   

   Service to others is not just key to a happy and fulfilling life, it actually enhances mental acuity! Selflessly serving at least once a week is great to keep you consistently thinking of others. A great place to start is with your own family or roommates.

   Keep your eyes open for opportunities to serve:

   • At home
   • At school
   • On campus
   • In your neighborhood
   • In your community
   • Everywhere!

When we structure our lives around these 5 pillars, we experience daily fulfillment we would otherwise miss. This enhances our overall well-being, our quality of life, our education, our businesses, our recreation, our family time, and our mental acuity!