Spend 10 minutes at the Brain Gym A series of simple exercises can give your working life a head start. Regular practice of these can lead to reduced stress, more efficient brain functioning and a more cheerful outlook. Press the brain buttons: While holding the navel area with one hand, rub with thumb and finger of the other hand in the hollow area (2-3 inches apart) just below the collar-bone. Pulse lightly a few times. This increases clarity for any visual activity and is particularly beneficial when doing writing, typing and working at the computer. Cross crawl: Put the right hand across the body to the left knee as you raise it, and then do the same thing for the left hand on the right knee just as if you were marching. Just do this either sitting or standing about two minutes. This exercise helps coordinate right and left brain by exercising the information flow between the two hemispheres. It is useful for spelling, writing, listening, reading and comprehension. Hook-ups: While sitting or standing, cross one ankle over the other. Cross the same-side wrist over the other and touch palms together. Interlace fingers and draw hands up toward chest. Sit this way for one minute, eyes closed, breathing deeply. Uncross legs and put fingertips together, breathing deeply for a minute. This diffuses stress, establishes a positive orientation and promotes clear listening and speaking. A useful exercise for students taking examinations and just before making that important presentation. Tank-up: Drink plenty of water. Water comprises more of the brain (with estimateof 90 per cent) than of any other organ of the body. Drinking some water before an during mental activity can help maintain the mental flow. Drinking water can help students perform better in stressful situations like tests and exams! Also as we tend to perspire under stress, de-hydration can effect our concentration negatively, so replacing the lost water by maintaining a constant intake of fluids can be critical to performance. So there you are. Don’t simply squat in your familiar mental posture. Get up, grab an extra litre or two of water, work that mind out and presto, a whole new brain awaits you.