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As neuroscience and psychology continue to advance, we are quickly realizing that intelligence is fluid.Which basically means that your baseline intelligence levels and the speed of your cognitive processes can be improved (and this can happen in some very surprising ways).There have already been some great responses to this question so I will do my best to share new(ish) information in this response.Here it goes.15 Hacks to Rapidly Increase Your Intelligence and Develop a Lightning Fast Brain1. ExerciseI’m surprised this one hasn’t been mentioned more!Studies have shown time and time again that physical exercise is necessary for cognitive health.Regular exercise can increase brain function, improve memory, speed up cognitive processes, and fight off diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.Luckily, you don’t need to spend too much time in the gym to accomplish your goal of a better brain.Experts suggest that 15 minutes of moderate to intense exercise is all that is necessary to optimize cognitive health.I recommend that all of my clients complete some form of resistance training 3X a week for about 45 minutes and then walk, bike, or hike outside for 60 minutes a day the rest of the week.2. Get Out in the SunlightEver since the skin cancer scare (which was based on exceptionally bad science) people have been avoiding the sun and covering their skin with chemicals.Not only has this made us all look like vampires but it’s created some very real health problems.Most notably of which is vitamin D deficiency.Recent studies have shown a definitive link between vitamin D deficiency and impaired cognitive health.When you don’t get sufficient amounts of sunlight, you can expect to suffer from mood swing, depression, anxiety, and a whole slew of other negative effects.Do your brain a favor and get at least 20 minutes of direct sunlight every day.If you live in a cold climate supplement with 5,000–10,000 IU of a high quality D3 supplement every day. (I prefer Jarrow’s Brand)3. Get 8–9 Hours of High Quality SleepWe all know that sleep deprivation can kill you.But did you know that it can literally make you dumber too?People who regularly get 6 or fewer hours of sleep a night are shown to have severe cognitive impairment that they AREN’T EVEN AWARE OF!Their performance is slower, their intelligence scores are lower, and their general productive output is only a fraction of what it could be.If you get only 6 hours of sleep a night and you think you’re fine… You aren’t.Get 7–9 hours of sleep a night and you can literally make yourself smarter.In order to get the best sleep possible, I recommend that everyone reading this (even you) does the following:Invest in an insanely comfortable mattressBuy blackout shades or tape black trash bags over your windowsSet the thermostat to 67F or cooler and sleep naked (seriously, it’s healthier for you)Remove ALL electronics from your room and cover any light emitting fixtures (like smoke detectors)Take 1,000 mg of Magnesium, 50 mg of Zinc, krill oil, and l-theanine 45 minutes before bedTurn off all electronics 60 minutes before you go to sleepGo to bed and wake up at the same time every dayConsume a high fat snack 3 hours before bed and quit consuming alcohol 4 hours before sleepThere are a plethora of hacks that you can use to improve the quality of your sleep but this should be more than enough to get you started.If you do NOTHING else except improve your sleep (and get more of it), I promise you that your brain will be faster and sharper than ever before.4. Drink Coffee and Supplement With Creatine (Separately)The research is in.Coffee literally makes you smarter.In addition to staving off depression, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, coffee has been shown to increase cognitive output and speed up cognitive processes.Similarly, a daily 5 gram dose of creatine has been shown to have significant cognitive benefits with almost no appreciable side effects.Just be sure to take these 4–6 hours apart since creatine and caffeine have been shown in a handful of studies to have negative chemical interactions.5. Meditate for 10–30 Minutes a DayMeditation has been shown to help rebuild grey matter in the brain and increase cognitive performance significantly.Simply sitting down and following a guided meditation for 10 minutes a day can have HUGE benefits for your brain in the long run.Put down the TV remote and pick up your headspace app.You won’t regret it.6. Play a Variety of Different GamesAlthough there are definite drawbacks to playing copious amounts of video games, things aren’t all bad.Many studies have shown that specific games ranging from Call of Duty to Sudoku can have positive cognitive benefits when practiced in moderate doses.While the correlation is still under investigation, there is enough evidence present that I recommend everyone plays some sort of game for 15–30 minutes a day.Whether it’s online chess, Fortnite, or just a normal crossword puzzle, stimulating your brain in new ways has been shown to dramatically increase cognitive capacity.7. Pick up a Musical InstrumentCountless studies have illustrated a fact that we all intuitively know.Music makes you smarter.Being classically trained in a musical instrument has a number of benefits, not just for your brain but also for your social life and sexual desirability.If you don’t know how to play an instrument now, I recommend that you either hire a teacher or use an app like Yousician to develop your skills.Not only is music an amazing hobby that will do wonders for your social life, but it will literally rewire your brain and make you a faster and better learner.8. VolunteerAlthough volunteering might not directly increase your intelligence it has a number of psychological benefits that serve as “Neuro protectants”.Studies have shown that people who regularly volunteer are at a decreased risk for depression.They’ve also shown that people who volunteer are more likely to have heightened levels of happiness and fulfillment which play a significant role in keeping your brain healthy.9. Eat a Diet High In Healthy Fats and Low in Processed SugarsMany studies have shown that your diet has a HUGE effect on your cognitive performance.Although we have barely cracked the surface in most of our research there seems to be a direct correlation between the foods that you consume and your cognitive health.Specifically, studies have shown that eating 100g+ of healthy dietary fats (like fish, olive oil, and avocados) has a positive impact on cognition and eating processed foods has the inverse effect.So eat a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and healthy fats and always think about your brain before swinging by the donut shop.10. Supplement and Use NootropicsThis last tip is entirely up to your discretion. I am not a doctor and don’t claim to have the legal authority to give medical advice.I’ve simply interviewed dozens of high level “biohackers” and health experts who have all stated that nootropics are an incredibly effective way to increase intelligence.This can range from the relatively mundane coffee and l-theanine to the pharmaceutical Modafinil (or “God Pill”).Do your own research and look into different supplement stacks to help boost your brain.You might find the unfair advantage you’ve been looking for.With that out of the way, let’s talk about a few habits that will make you, as my British friends say “Thick as pig shit”5 Habits You Must Avoid1. Drugs and AlcoholLook, I like Bourbon as much as the next man.I partied my face off back in the day and I’m no stranger to mood altering substances.But that being said NONE of them are good for your brain.Alcohol makes you dumber and impairs decision making.Marijuana, although beneficial in MANY other regards, has been shown to slightly lessen grey matter (although not in significant amounts)And cocaine… Well you might as well just poke a hole in your head and call it a day.Drugs and alcohol are fun. No doubt.But they kill your brain and make you dumber than a box of rocks.I won’t tell you what to do.But if you want to improve your brain as much as possible, you should avoid the majority of illegal and legal drugs that are on the market.2. Mindless TVI love a good show like Game of Thrones or Breaking Bad.However, the crap that people can spin off as “Television” these days amazes me.Avoid stupid TV at all costs.It doesn’t add anything to your life and literally makes you dumber.Yeah… Watching the Jersey Shore can actually make you as dumb as the people who act in it.3. Eating SugarI’ve already mentioned this but it’s worth repeating.Studies have clearly shown that sugar makes you dumber.It slows cognitive processes, ages your cells, and makes you fat.Cut it out of your life and you will be much better for it.4. Stressing OutStudies have shown that stress has significantly negative effects on your cognitive health.Being stressed literally makes you dumber and increases your chances of an early death.So chill out and maybe reconsider taking that promotion at work that will double your weekly workload.5. Operating from a Fixed MindsetOk, so this isn’t exactly research based. Just anecdotal evidence from my own life.I’ve interviewed more than 400 high achievers.Some of them had ridiculously high IQ levels. Some of them didn’t.All of them were smart and all of them operated from a growth mindset.This means that they all believed that they could improve.I’ve noticed that the dumbest and least successful people all believe that “This is just how it is”The smartest and most successful people believe “This is how it is BUT I can change it”.Food for thought.Anyways, I hope this helps and provides some unique insights that may not have been mentioned before.Good luck!Stay Grounded,AndrewWant to learn more about my mission and keep the conversation going?Then click here to check out my Quora profile, get access to my BEST content, and learn how you can get direct access to me and my hand-picked team of coaches.

The first step to heal how you feel is to accept a simple fact.Your depression and self loathing is a natural part of life.Being depressed doesn’t make you weird or mentally unstable or broken.Depression is nothing more than a signal. The same way that your “Check Engine” light on your car is a signal that something isn’t working properly and needs attention.So instead of seeing depression as this negative thing, we need to realize that depression is actually there to serve us. It’s a sign that something in our lives isn’t working and that we need to take action to remedy the situation.How do we do this?You eliminate depression by creating an environment, physically, mentally, and emotionally where depression cannot exist.When you strip away all of the root causes of depression, it slowly fades away.Based on your question, it sounds like your depression is being caused by your self image and low self esteem, not necessarily by a chemical imbalance or major life change.Here are a few ways that I personally beat my own depression and self hate years ago.(Note: Some of this content was taken from an article that originally appeared on my website Knowledge for Men, if you want to read the article in its entirety, click here)1. Sleep Like a Baby without the GuiltSleep is the best meditation ~Dalai LamaAccording to Medical Daily, 40.6 million Americans, more than 30% of the workforce, are chronically sleep deprived.Now, at first glance, this statistic probably doesn’t seem all that significant.But when you consider that sleep deprivation has been strongly linked toDepressionDeliriumHallucinationsImpaired Cognition and an Increased Risk of Preventable AccidentsNot to mention, an increased risk of infections, cancer, and overall mortality.You begin to realize that sleep deprivation is no joking matter.So how much sleep is enough to help battle depression? And how can you improve the quality of your sleep to maximize the benefits that you gain?Well, according to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours in order to prevent the effects of sleep deprivation from affecting your life and mood.As for increasing the quality of your sleep, it’s actually pretty simple.Go to bed before 11 p.m.Wake up at the same time each daySleep in a completely dark and cold room (research shows that 65-67 F is ideal for sleep)Exercise dailyTurn off all electronics 60 minutes before bed.Reduce blue light by using amber light bulbs and apps like f.lux on your computerIf you start to take your sleep more seriously, I can promise you that you will feel the effects almost immediately.When I made a conscious effort to get more sleep and prioritize recovery over #hustling, my performance, mood, and overall well being skyrocketed.2. Turn your Life into an Epic AdventureWe’ve all heard about the neurotransmitter dopamine. Traditional psychology holds that dopamine is the reward chemical in brain meaning that it’s released to reward beneficial or pleasurable behaviors. However, more recent research has shown that dopamine is actually related to our brain’s desire to seek rewards rather than being released as a reward itself.For example, you get more of a dopamine hit from anticipating sex with a beautiful woman than you do from actually having sex.Animals studies have shown that novelty and dopamine are inextricably linked and that the brain reacts to novelty by releasing more dopamine which makes us want to go and search for a new reward.In Layman’s terms, this means that your brain gets excited and releases “feel good” chemicals into your body anytime it is exposed to something new and exciting.What this means for people suffering from depression is simple.If you want to make your brain happier, expose it to completely new and novel stimulus.Studies have shown that increasing the amount of novelty present in your life has tremendous benefits for the secretion of dopamine and serotonin, both of which work to combat depression and anxiety and help regulate and ensure the continued health of your brain.When I was struggling with depression personally, I found that the more often I stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new hobbies and activities, the better I felt.Luckily, you don’t have to go too far in order to reap these benefits.Even things as simple as listening to a new genre of music, watching a new standup comedy (which we will talk about later) or playing a new video game can stimulate the novelty and reward centers of your brain and increase your dopamine and serotonin levels.Increase the intensity and frequency of novel experiences as you feel comfortable by trying out group activities such as dancing, martial arts, or some sort of creative endeavor like a musical instrument.The more novelty you can inject into your life, the easier it will be to beat depression once and for all.3. Tap Into Your Inner Monk and Express Gratitude DailyWhen gratitude appears, fear dissapears. ~Tony RobbinsYour brain did not evolve to make you happy. It evolved to make you survive.Our primal minds are hardwired to focus on the things that we don’t have to encourage innovation, creation, and competition.After all, when humans first emerged onto the planet, resources were scarce and the competition was fierce. If we didn’t have this inherent desire for more, we would have died out and fallen prey to more aggressive species.However, we aren’t on the plains of Africa anymore…We live in a time where resources are more abundant than ever before even with the increasing population (a.k.a competition).Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to experience true abundance and happiness if we can find a way to sneak around our evolutionary hardwiring and consciously practice gratitude and an abundance mindset.You, yes you, have more resources and power at your disposal than some the greatest kings of history.You have access to more information, better health care, longer life expectancies, and more options that the greatest rulers and tyrants that the world has ever known.Hell… The device that you are reading this article on has more computing power than the devices that put a man on the moon!But most of us don’t realize this… We are caught in an endless loop of scarcity thinking about all of the things that we don’t have and the things that we wish we could have.If you want to beat depression once and for all then you must wrestle your lizard brain into submission by focusing on the abundance and blessings in your life instead of all of the perceived scarcity and lack in your life.Among many other benefits gratitude can help increase your baseline happiness levels by more than 10%… That’s equivalent to the happiness boost you would experience from doubling your income!It’s also been shown to improve the quality and quantity of your sleep, increase your odds of career success, and improve the quality of your romantic and platonic relationships.Gratitude makes an appreciable difference in every area of your life.And the best part is that it’s easy and free to practice it.By taking only 5 minutes each morning to write down and internalize all of the things that you are grateful for, you can reframe your struggles and supercharge your psychology.You will show up in a completely different way when you are focused on everything that is right in your life instead of the things you perceive to be wrong.Be grateful now.It might just change your life.4. Empty Your Mind with a Daily JournalYour brain is the most important complicated and important organ in the human body.It’s the command center for everything in your life and every function that your body has.However, most of us have no idea how to maintain a healthy and optimized brain. We were never taught how to clean and declutter our minds so that they can function at the highest levels.Journaling is like whispering to oneself and listening at the same time. ~Mina MurrayAnd as a result, most of us are carrying an endless amount of baggage, confusion, and frustration that is hindering us from living normal and exciting lives.According to a significant amount of peer-reviewed research, journaling is one of the best ways to declutter your mind, manage stress, and overcome internal struggles.By regularly journaling about your depression, and about your life in general, you are able to organize and prioritize your thoughts and emotions.It gives you an opportunity to detach yourself emotionally and analyze your experiences, thoughts, and feelings on a logical level.It’s kind of like a form of cerebral urination.If you drink a ton of water over the course of the day and don’t take the time to relieve yourself, your bladder is going to explode and you will experience excruciating pain.Your brain is the same way.If you are continually filling your mind with new information, stimulus, and experiences, you will need to empty it occasionally to ensure that it continues to function properly. Unless you take a “Brain dump”, your brain will eventually become so cluttered and frazzled that your mind will explode into a state of stress, disorder, and chaos creating an environment for depression to thrive.Take 10 to 15 minutes a day and simply write about what you are feeling. You might be amazed by the results and how simple this is.5. “Gamify” Your Life And Rig It in Your FavorYou’ll often hear personal development gurus telling you that you should “Set goals that are 10X greater than you think you can achieve!”And this is great advice for someone with high levels of happiness, esteem, and confidence.But it’s TERRIBLE advice for people who are suffering from depression.Here’s why…According to the chemical theory of depression, one of the underlying causes of depression is an imbalance of neurotransmitters and chemicals in your brain. Most notably, the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.Now, as it relates to goal setting these neurotransmitters are activated and released anytime that you set and achieve a goal, win at a competition, or succeed at a personal or professional endeavor.However, if you set and fail at a goal, lose at a competition, or screw up at any endeavor, the inverse happens. Your brain actually reduces the number of neurotransmitter receptors that are present and, given enough time, can actually make you much more depressed than you originally were.This is where gamification comes into play.When people are depressed, they tend to view their lives in a pessimistic and negative light. They tend to feel lost, hopeless, and purposeless. As such, one of the most powerful ways to reframe their depression is to view life as a game.When you play games like Angry Birds, Chess, or Tetris, every small win gives you another tiny dopamine hit.And when you start to introduce these concepts into your life, you will find that it’s much easier to stack these small wins upon one another and achieve a high level of success and happiness over time.So how do you actually gamify your life in order to help rid yourself of depression? It’s actually quite simple.The goal here is to make a game out of life by setting small daily goals or “Quests” that you need to achieve. This can be something as grandiose as attending a salsa class and asking that cute girl to dance with you.Whatever the case may be, your mission is to create and achieve at least one quest each day.Make it small and make it winnable. Write down your goal at the beginning of the day and keep score on a whiteboard or piece of paper.The more fun you can have with this, the better. Steve Kamb over at Nerd Fitness did a phenomenal job of using gamification to help his clients reach their health and fitness goals and I’d highly recommend using his Nerd Fitness Academy as a model for your own life.When you turn your life into a living breathing video game with daily quests, boss battles, and fun adventures, you alleviate some of the stress of daily life and turn your days into a fun and exciting video game that you actually want to play.6. Affirm the F*ck Out of your AwesomenessI know that affirmations sound like a steaming load of new age bull crap…But they aren’t.In fact, psychologists and neuroscientists have conducted several studies using FMRI’s and other brain imaging technology that has shown a significant benefit to positive self-talk.Affirmations literally rewire your brain to be more future-oriented and optimistic.If you do them right…Whether you realize it or not, you are ALREADY using affirmations each and every day whether verbally or non-verbally.Everyone has an inner voice providing dry witty commentary on their daily lives.The only question is: What is that voice saying?If you are suffering from low levels of confidence and self-esteem then I can all but promise that your self-talk is probably riddled with negative loops, pessimistic sayings, and general b.s.If you have high levels of esteem and confidence, then I can all but promise you that the way you talk to yourself sounds similar to the way you’d talk to a treasured friend.Over the next few weeks, I want to challenge you to rewrite and consciously select the affirmations you repeat over your life.Eradicate the negative self-talk and replace it with uplifting sayings that set you up for success.I like to spend 5-10 minutes every morning repeating a small handful of affirmations to myself while I shower.A few of my favorites are:I’ve got thisLife is happening for me, not to meI am filled with unlimited potentialI can achieve anything that I truly desireEvery day I become stronger, smarter, and betterYou can even create goal-oriented affirmations to help you focus on specific monetary, physical, or relational goals.Before you move on to the next section, take 5 minutes to write down 5 new affirmations that you will say to yourself on a daily basis.I’ll be here when you get back.7. Sweat Like You’re Running For Your LifeStudy after study has illustrated the tremendous importance of daily exercise.Benefits including:Elevated mood, reduced stress, and less anxietyImproved blood flow to the brainThe production of new brain cellsImproves memoryImproved discipline, impulse control, and decision makingAnd, most importantly, decreased depression.Exercise helps ease depression in a number of different ways.In fact, numerous studies have concluded that for patients with mild to moderate depression, exercise could be just as effective (if not more so) than antidepressants over a 12 week period.You don’t need a complicated workout plan or a fancy gym membership to reap the anti-depressive benefits of exercise.Studies have shown that HIIT or High-Intensity Interval Training is one of the most effective ways to reap all of the positive benefits of exercise in the shortest amount of time.Although I recommend that all of my clients and audience members complete a resistance training workout at least 3 times a week, and yoga twice a week, if you are just getting started, simply doing three HIIT cardio sessions per week can get you started on the road to recovery.All you are going to do is pick an exercise like sprinting, burpees, or jump squats Then, you are going to set a timer for 45 seconds.You are going to go all out on the exercise for 45 seconds and then rest for 15-30 seconds.Repeat this for a total of 15 to 20 minutes and BOOM! That’s it. You can also YouTube a number of different HIT workouts for free.For those of you who are ready to embark on a serious physical fitness journey, I highly recommend that you check out my good friend Michael Matthew’s program Bigger Leaner Stronger.I’ve been weight training for more than 10 years and I’ve yet to find a more effective and research-backed approach than the workouts that Mike shares in his books and on his blog.If you’re up to the challenge, his training philosophy will help you get bigger, become stronger, and feel better about yourself and your body faster than you ever thought possible.But regardless of which workout you choose to follow, you must workout.Your brain and body will be much happier and you’ve successfully taken one more positive step on the road to recovery.8. Let Food Be Thy MedicineMost people underestimate the effect that their diet has on their mental health and overall well being.However, after a groundbreaking study compiled by Felice Jacka Ph.D. at Deakin University in Australia, we can conclusively say that depression can be improved through dietary changes.In her research, Jacka’s team recruited 67 men and women with moderate to severe depression who reported eating a relatively unhealthy diet.They took half of the depressed individuals and placed them on a modified version of the Mediterranean diet and required them to attend dietary support sessions with a nutritionist.The other half of the group was instructed to continue on their unhealthy diet as usual but was required to attend social support sessions (to reduce the possible variable of social interaction).All participants were scored using the MADRS scale (Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale(link is external), a system that rates mood on a scale of 0 to 60 with a score of 60 indicated borderline suicidal levels of depression.After the 12-week study concluded, the individuals following the Modified Mediterranean diet improved their MADRS scores by an average of 11 points. Of the 31 individuals on the diet, 32% scored so low on the scale that they no longer met the criteria for clinical depression!Conversely, in the group that continued to consume an unhealthy diet, their scores improved by an average of only 4 points and fewer than 8% of the participants successfully “beat” their depression.Although more studies certainly should be conducted to conclusively determine how specific dietary factors influence mood and depression, the research conducted by Jacka’s team gives us a great place to start.Here is a list of encouraged and discouraged foods according to the diet used in this research:Encouraged foods: whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, low-fat/ unsweetened dairy, raw unsalted nuts, lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and olive oilDiscouraged foods: sweets, refined cereals, fried food, fast food, processed meat, soft drinks.Beverages: maximum two sugar-sweetened beverages per week and maximum two alcoholic drinks per day, preferably red wine with the occasional screw-upOn a personal note, I would like to mention that green smoothies and a low meat diet have both had a MASSIVE impact on my own happiness levels and were critical components in my battle against depression.I recommend that every single person reading this start their days with a cup of organic coffee and a green smoothie filled with spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, and about 1.5 cups of frozen fruit.For those of you in the world of low card/ high-fat dieting, especially the ketogenic diet, it’s important to note that, while this diet certainly has a wide number of physical benefits, it is not the ideal diet for depressed individuals.A carbohydrate-rich diet triggers the release of insulin in your body. In turn, this causes the amino acid tryptophan to remain in the bloodstream at a high concentration allowing it to enter the brain and cause a rise in serotonin levels.In other words, carbs are like premium fuel for the brain. Sure, you can get where you need to go with plain old 82 Octane, but you will be faster and smoother if you give your brain what it really needs.The Bottom Line:If you want to beat depression naturally, then you need to provide your body with all of the nutrients required to optimize your physical and cognitive function.This means cutting out the processed crap, increasing your intake of plant foods, and ensuring that you have a sufficient amount of meat and complex carbohydrates to create the neurotransmitters and peptides your body needs.9. Socialize Like Your Life Depends on ItDespite the fact that we are more connected than ever before, there is a pervasive sense of loneliness and isolation in our society that is becoming unavoidable.People don’t interact the way that they used to. We walk through our lives with our earbuds in, our eyes glued to our phones, and our minds shut off from the outside world.We are surrounded by people, but most of us feel completely alone.Unfortunately, most people underestimate the impact that this can have on their mental and physical well being.In fact, some studies have shown that suffering from loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!Once you have recalibrated your physical body through exercise, the modified Mediterranean diet, and sufficient amounts of high-quality sleep, it’s imperative that you begin to tackle and optimize this part of your life.According to many studies, regular social interaction can: (source)Decrease your risk of depressionReduce your likelihood of developing dementiaIncrease your life expectancyBoost your immune function and physical healthLife is meant to be lived and shared with others.If you or someone that you love is suffering from depression, finding ways to increase your social activity and spend more time with amazing and empowering people will help you heal and recover in a way that few other things can.But there’s a catch…Depression makes it easy to stay isolated and hard to socialize. Which, in turn, makes the depression worse and increases the desire to stay isolated.Taking someone in a deeply depressed state and trying to get them to go out and have a good time with friends can often do more harm than good by making the person associate negative emotions such as insecurity, inadequacy, and anxiety with social time.This is why I personally recommend that you focus on fixing your physical body first.Clean up your diet, get sufficient amounts of sleep, and exercise regularly. Then you will feel more ready and comfortable to engage in social activity.When you are ready to start socializing again, you want to start small. Pick an activity or two that you genuinely love and invite one of your positive friends to join you.Use We are what we do or check out local activity boards to find something that you would enjoy and make it a goal to get out of your house and into a social setting at least once or twice a week.You don’t need to turn into a crazy party animal to improve your depression and begin building your social support network.Start small and increase your social interactions as you become more comfortable. It will make a world of difference.10. Free Yourself of Worry, Endless Concerns and Anxiety (Meditation)In meditation, I can let go of everything. I’m not Hugh Jackman. I’m not a dad. I’m not a husband. I’m just dipping into that powerful source that creates everything. I take a little bath in it ~Hugh JackmanMeditation is the equivalent of shutting out all of the open tabs and programs on your computer to free up the RAM and increase your processing power.It is one of the single most powerful weapons in your arsenal to fight depression.Extensive research has been conducted that have shown some pretty amazing and surprising findings regarding the effects of meditation.Increases the production of neurotransmitters like serotoninShrinks the brain’s fear centerDeactivates the anxiety and depression centers of the brainRebuilds the hippocampus of the brainStimulates the same Alpha and Theta brain waves Doctors use to combat depressionAnd that’s just the tip of the iceberg.Meditation is proven to help: (source)Lower blood pressureAlleviate symptoms of insomniaReduce depression and anxietyReduce painReduce symptoms of IBSAid in smoking cessationThe bottom line is that meditation is a wildly positive habit that can improve nearly every area of your life if it’s practiced with consistency.But how do you actually get started meditating and how often do you need to do it to reap the benefits?While there is no conclusive evidence prescribing an exact method or length of time in order to achieve optimal results, most experts agree that 10-30 minutes of meditation per day is all that is necessary to experience real and lasting changes.I’m a great supporter of Transcendental Meditation. I’ve been using it for almost 40 years now – and I think it’s a great tool for anyone to have, to be able to utilize as a tool for stress. ~Clint EastwoodPersonally, my favorite way to meditate is to pick an instrumental song that gets me into a positive (but relaxed) mental state, set a timer, and then simply get present in the moment for 10-20 minutes.I don’t do any sort of fancy visualization techniques or chant weird mantras from an audio tape.I just sit in silence, feel my body and my breath, and pay attention to the present moment. Anytime I notice my mind wandering, I gently redirect it back to the present moment by noticing the music and the rhythm of my breath.And that’s it.If you want a more in-depth and comprehensive guide to meditation and mindfulness then I recommend that you check out Leo Babauta’s Beginner’s Guide to Meditation.Leo is one of the most profound and inspiring guests that I’ve ever interviewed and his simple approach to life and happiness will rock you to your core and challenge the fundamental ways in which you view life.If nothing else, I highly recommend that you give his blog a read and learn from his wealth of wisdom and experience.If you are willing to commit to this practice for 30 days, alongside a comprehensive diet, exercise, and social regimen, I promise that your depression will be dramatically reduced (if not completely eradicated).11. Reconnect with Nature to Unlock Your Primal SideI personally believe that one of the biggest causes of depression in the modern world is our society’s disconnection from the natural world.10,000 years ago, we had no choice but to spend time in nature. We were constantly surrounded by plants, animals, and awe-inspiring views that reminded us of our place in the cosmos and of the insignificance of our troubles.But today, we live in a world where nature is scarce and a narcissistic focus on the self is abundant.We forget that we are nothing more than animals and are only a small part of this planet that we call home.According to research published by the Journal of Extreme Physiology and Medicine in 2013, exercising outdoors will not only produce endorphins but has the ability to improve self-esteem, reduce feelings of depression, anger, and tension.In fact, a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Essex found that walking in nature reduced depression scores in nearly 71% of patients!But here’s where things get really interesting.When the researchers compared the effects of walking in nature to a control group that walked through a shopping center, they found that only 45% of shopping center walkers reduced their depression scores with 22% of them actually citing increased feelings of depression!This is wild!By combining regular exposure to nature with the already mentioned tactics, you will have a powerful tool for combatting depression in any form that it takes.Make it your goal to spend at least 3 hours in nature each week.Personally, I try to ride my bike by the beach for at least 60 minutes a day, however, for those of you on a tighter schedule, simply getting out of the city for a long hike once a week can work wonders for your physical and mental well being. To top it off it’s a great place to meditate and journal in absolute solitude!12. Create an Environment of Anti-DepressionOne commonality that I’ve noticed among all of my depressed clients or friends is that they live in depressing environments, and I mean this in every sense of the word.Their homes and apartments are poorly lit, filled with crap, and about as clean as the inside of a Detroit alley dumpster.The music that they listen to is depressing, angry, and nihilistic.The movies and video games that they play are filled with gratuitous violence and depressing plotlines (seriously guys, Schindler’s List is a great movie, but it’s not worth watching on repeat if you’re depressed).Even the people that they hang out with are in a similarly depressed and sad state, after all… misery loves company.If you are going to overcome depression once and for all, then your environment needs to reflect your commitment.According to an article from Psychology Today, there is a strong correlation between an unclean and negative environment and chronic depression:As they put it clutter:Bombards our minds with excessive stimuli (visual, olfactory, tactile), causing our senses to work overtime on stimuli that aren’t necessary or important.Distracts us by drawing our attention away from what our focus should be on.Makes it more difficult to relax, both physically and mentally.Signals to our brains that our work is never done.Makes us anxious because we’re never sure what it’s going to take to get through to the bottom of the pile.Creates feelings of guilt (“I should be more organized”) and embarrassment, especially when others unexpectedly drop by our homes or workspaces.Inhibits creativity and productivity by invading the open spaces that allow most people to think, brain storm, and problem solve.Frustrates us by preventing us from locating what we need quickly (e.g. files and paperwork lost in the “pile” or keys swallowed up by the clutter).Looking back at my own battle with depression, it’s funny how easy it was to allow my home environment to slip into chaos.When I was depressed, dishes piled up in the sink, my bed and clothes were unkempt, and laundry left undone for weeks.In much the same way that you someone battling chronic illness would want to keep their environment clean and bacteria free, if you want to beat depression, you must create an environment where depression cannot thrive.Clean your apartment. Open the windows and the shades. Paint your living space a bright and inviting color. Remove any negative images, photos of exes, or other pictures that conjure negative emotions. Get rid of the junk!Minimalism is not the lack of something. It’s the perfect amount of something. ~Nicholas BurroughsStart listening to happier music. Watch comedies instead of horror flicks. Buy indoor plants and fill your home with them. Do whatever you need to do to transform your environment so that it creates a state of happiness, peace, and serenity.I’d highly recommend that you check out Joshua Becker (from Becoming Minimalist) Ryan Nicodemus, and Johnathan Fields (the minimalists) for tips and tricks to live larger with less.Life isn’t meant to be wasted in the pursuit of more “Stuff” and the profound lessons that I learned about minimalism from these three men cannot be overstated.In fact, my minimalist philosophy is one of the primary reasons that I’ve been able to experience the levels of joy and abundance in my life today.13. The Most Powerful Way to Reframe Your ChallengesOften times, one of the underlying causes of depression is a pessimistic and skewed view of yourself, your challenges, and your future.We live in such a narcissistic and “Me” focused society that it’s easy to slip into a worldview where we lose sight of the struggles that others are going through and the things that we have to be grateful for in our own lives.The less connected we are to other people, the easier it is to believe that we are someone unique and special and that the challenges we are facing have never been dealt with by anyone else before.The reality is much different.You and I are one out of more than 7 billion points of human connection. We are specks of dust on a speck of dust.And the best way (that I’ve found) to reframe our problems and gain perspective on our lives is to volunteer.But don’t take my work for it, take a look at the science.According to helpguide.org:“When researchers at the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and measures of happiness in a large group of American adults, they found the more people volunteered, the happier they were, according to a study in Social Science and Medicine. Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being “very happy” rose 7% among those who volunteer monthly and 12% for people who volunteer every two to four weeks. Among weekly volunteers, 16% felt very happy—a hike in happiness comparable to having an income of $75,000–$100,000 versus $20,000, say the researchers.”Yes, you read that statistic correctly.Volunteering once every two weeks can have the same benefits to your baseline happiness levels as increasing your income by more than 500%!The social connection and perspective shift that you will gain by spending time with people who are less fortunate than you is tremendous.You don’t have to go crazy and join the Peace Corps (unless you want to which is great if you do), but taking a few hours out of your month to go and help someone else is one of the most powerful tools in your battle against depression.ConclusionI want you to know that, no matter how you feel, you are not disgusting or worthless.You are a human being… Just like the other 7.4 billion of us.You weren’t given a guide to living life. The schools didn’t teach you how to be all that you can be. You were simply thrown into the deep end without being taught how to swim.So take it easy on yourself.You can and will overcome this.You’ve got this.And you’ve got a ton of people here and across the world who are willing to support you in this journey.Stay strong.Andrew.

31 Surprising Facts About Learning (That Challenge The Academic Approach)Have you checked your assumptions about student learning at the door?People in general, hold onto beliefs that are shaped by early experiences, the media, and faulty influences. The following list is a compilation of research that may surprise you. Video games, eBooks, playtime, and music are all a part of an educator’s repertoire.Read on, and be prepared to put your traditional beliefs aside as science points to innovative methods that indicate future success.1. Playing scary and violent video games help children master their fears in real life.Until recently, studies done with regards to children and video games usually centered on the negative impacts and consequences of prolonged use. But a study done by Cheryl K. Olson that appeared in the Review of General Psychology suggests that there are a lot of psychological benefits to video games.She recognized several social motivations for playing video games including competition, a reason to hang out and casually converse with friends, and teaching peers how to play a game. The psychological motivations for video games are even more profound.In boys who struggle with stress, fear, and anger- negative emotions that can have violent consequences; video games acted as a safe alternative for the release of pent up emotion.There were other findings as well, comprising the fun of “unreality”- experimenting with a world where natural laws are suspended- plus the fun of challenge, mastery, and playing with different identities. These findings reveal that video games can be an alternate way to release negative emotion, and help children alleviate their innate desire for risk and adventure.2. Video games can lessen disruptive behaviors and enhance positive development in ADHD childrenThe Australian Journal of Educational & Developmental Psychology published a study about the use of video games to help children with ADHD. The sample of children was small, so more research is needed. But the results of this study indicated that the video game (designed to teach kids how to control their heart rate and breathing) had a significant impact on behavior.This finding flies in the face of popular remarks such as, “Video games make my child hyper,” and “ADHD is a disease that inflicts this generation because of video games.” These beliefs are not backed by scientific study, and in some cases, it is these very biases that slow down inquisitive minds that might dare to think otherwise.3. Practical work in science provides children little or no learning at allIn an attempt to enrich learning, science curriculums often have practical work or labs that teach the science concepts learned in the textbook. However, an in-depth review by Justin Dillon from King’s College in London, found that practical work isn’t always as effective as it may appear on the surface.A lot of labs are designed so that students follow a “recipe” or list of directions that don’t exercise critical thinking skills.A lot of labs are designed so that students follow a “recipe” or list of directions that don’t exercise critical thinking skills. In fact, using other mediums like technology to master scientific principles can give students more time to reflect on important concepts, without wasting time and resources on a poorly developed lab.There is no question that scientific curriculum needs to be enhanced in some way, but typical lab work may no longer be the way to go. Of course, more research is needed, but it is unwise to assume that simply because a class has a hand’s on experiment- that they are learning the crucial necessary skills.4. Chess makes kids smartPatrick S. McDonald, a great lover of chess and the Youth Coordinator for the Ontario Chess Association, compiled a series of papers and research that highlights the benefits of chess, especially as it relates to education. Honestly, there isn’t much negative to say about chess. It is an inexpensive game, a great opportunity for socialization among many different age groups and levels.It forces students to slow down, concentrate, use precise thinking, active both inductive and deductive reasoning, as well as recognizing difficult and complex patterns.Teachers who are in charge of children with mental and physical disabilities can also benefit from chess. It is a game that does not discriminate, and no matter what level you learn to play, it helps children to understand that ‘losing’ the game is as valuable as winning.5. Gardening improves children’s desire to learn and boosts their confidenceThe Royal Horticulture Society in the UK has started a campaign to bring gardening back into the school systems. Thousands of schools have participated and some of the findings point to gardening as a crucial learning tool for children. These are just some of the few findings.Kids who garden show a better ability to concentrate.Gardening helped use up surplus energy in active kids.The process of growing something from seed to fruit helps teach children responsibility and managing a living organism.Some students learned valuable math skills as they sold their produce to the town for a profit.Getting in touch with the dirt and bugs, helped some young students overcome their fears.An English teacher found her student’s creativity in poetry expanded after working in the garden.Gardening touches on so many different school subjects, from the science of photosynthesis, to nutrition, math, and even English. Kids who garden show a better ability to concentrate, whether it is because they have an opportunity to engage their whole bodies in the learning process, or simply because learning in the outdoors is good for the mind, heart, and body.6. Playing with blocks increases neuron count in childrenSchools are endangering a student’s creative intelligence when they replace all scheduled playtime with academic study. As the trend moves more towards structuring a curriculum that teaches to a standardized test, psychologists who study play are screaming that this is the wrong move.In a Community Playthings article about the wisdom of play, researchers note that something as simple as toy blocks can have incredible impacts on a young student’s mind. Even with 15 minutes of free play, children will use some of that time learning about mathematical and spatial principles. Blocks, one of the simplest and longstanding toys, teach geometry, patterns, shapes, colors, and physics.Even high-tech industries like NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory take into consideration a person’s background of play when they are hiring new scientists. This is because research shows that children who have ample opportunity to play and manipulate the environment creatively, will be the most innovative and original thinkers as adults.7. Teaching kids at a very early age is counterproductive to their learningWhat is more beneficial–to teach a child how to use an object, or to allow them to explore the object without direct instruction? The research outlined in Alison Gopnik’s article on Slate (dot) com gives us some startling facts.When children in a controlled study were given a toy that did multiple things like squeaking, play music, etc., the children who had a teacher instructing them on how the toy worked did not explore it further than the directions given by the adult. However, the students who were given the toy with no specific instructions discovered the way it worked, as well as several different other mechanisms that weren’t immediately obvious.Psychologists are drawing the conclusion that early academic learning structured around directive teaching not only inhibits creativity, but stunts a child’s natural curiosity to discover how the world works.8. Music and movement augment children’s language capabilities during the preschool yearsMusic has a calming effect on children and adults alike. Though much of modern education focuses primarily on visual sight for learning, the auditory processes are critically important for language acquisition. The younger the child, the more important music becomes.Children who engage in music from a young age have a more finely tuned ability to speak and communicateFor example, when children learn nursery rhymes that are set to a steady beat; they learn to appreciate the pacing of words and how to speak more clearly. Songs that are taught for the purposes of remembering routines (like cleaning up or going to bed) activate the part of the memory that is used when memorizing sight words and other rote principles.Research shows that children who engage in music from a young age have a more finely tuned ability to speak and communicate. Music must continue to be a part of a young child’s learning environment.9. Green spaces or natural backyards elevate children’s learning through discoveryHow important is it for children to play and interact with the great outdoors? Does it really make a difference in the educational process? The research says yes. Not only is it critical for children to have time to play outside, but the type of outdoor environment is important as well.Research documented in Colorado University’s Journal of Children, Youth, and Environments noted that students who were given access to green woodlands, ponds, and other natural habitats had an increase in social cooperation and creativity, as opposed to the children who were given an asphalt yard with a jungle gym.Not only did the student’s enjoy the environment more, but the teachers also incorporated the outdoor area into their formalized curriculum. It became a place to learn about ecosystems, science, gardening, and preserving the Earth.The more natural and open the environment, the greater the invitation for discovery through curiosity.10. Drama and comedy in the classroom encourage children to listen and participateTeachers are constantly thinking about new and innovative ways to encourage active participation with their students. An engaged child is one who is more likely to absorb information, retain it, and make real-life associations with the knowledge.In order to engage students, several activities or processes need to be present. In Beyond the Journal, authors and educators Judy R. Jablon and Michael Wilkinson outline the following:Some prior understanding or knowledge of the materialAn environment that fosters questions and investigationThe ability to work in a group or collaborative settingOffering multiple choices so students can be self-directedIndependent thinkingGames, drama, and humorIt might not come as a surprise, but laughter is a great indicator of engagement. Just like tears or anger, it is a vibrancy of emotion that shows a student’s entire mind and feelings are engaged in the activity.11. Children who construct their own video games experience increased cognitive and social growthIn a primitive society, children learned necessary survival skills by mimicking their elders. It was essentially, learning in action. In modern times, academics are often taught rather than “shown”- removing this type of opportunity from the educational process.However, research outlined in the Lookstein Online Journal indicates that children show cognitive growth when they are given the task of creating their own video game. In order to develop such a game, students must use prior knowledge, create links between scenes, and take control of their learning through trial and error.In essence, it is another way to create and active learning environment similar to ancient history. Children must use logic, survival skills, and generate new ideas and solutions in order to complete the game.12. Interest areas in the classroom promote a child’s autonomy and choice makingWhen children catalog an experience in their minds, research shows that they are more apt to remember the place or location, than the person or thing. This acute sensitivity to detail is one of the main reasons that architects and educators should pay careful attention to the types of spaces they are designing for classrooms.According to the Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences, Jaclynn Shaw, of Kansas State University reports that children have four major needs while in their learning environment; the ability to move around the space, the ability to engage all five senses, the need to feel a sense of confidence, safety, and success, and a level of independence and control. One way to accomplish this is through interest areas.Interest areas are different sections in the classroom that focus on a certain skillset or study; science, social collaboration, art, reading, etc. When the students are paired in groups and given the chance to move from area to area, it helps foster a sense of control.They get to make choices, move in the classroom, and explore independently. These skills build confidence in young students.13. Economically disadvantaged children reap long-term benefits from preschoolThere is no doubt that a well thought out preschool education program can provide long-term benefits for any young child. However, W. Steven Barnett, Ph.D., in the National Institute for Early Education Research suggests that it is the disadvantaged populations that benefit the most.In impoverished areas, parents are not able to provide their children with the optimal learning environment. Instead, adults struggle to find work and make ends meet, and the academic and creative needs of an impressionable young child go to the bottom of the pile. A child growing up in a financially secure home may be offered an enriching environment if the mother and/or father have the resources to invest in early education initiatives at home. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the lower class, and the reason why preschool is so important.The brain of a young child is incredibly impressionable from ages 0-6. When there are positive influences during this time, there is a higher likelihood that those experiences will shape the child’s future for years to come.14. Learning, for children with ASD, is affected by classroom acoustics, artificial lighting, and windowsChildren with autism and related disorders are greatly impacted by their environment, more so than the average child. In many cases, it takes a child’s full concentration to simply interact with another student or teacher, so classrooms need to eliminate any unnecessary distractions. The Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences studied different areas of the classroom and found ways to reduce excess stimulation for these children.Students do better when their work areas are tucked in a nook with walls and other makeshift boundaries sectioning off their space. Putting a desk against a wall with a bookshelf on either side can minimize distractions. Secondly, adding carpet on the floors and even on the walls will muffle the noise and echo of an empty concrete room. Teachers can also add curtains, floor pillows, and rugs to further muffle noise.Another crucial necessity is natural light. Fluorescent lighting is difficult on the eyes and can be render a child with ASD completely ineffective. Instead, opt for large windows and skylights that allow sunlight to pour in. These changes can make a big difference in the learning potential of a student suffering from Autism.15. Engaging children in planning and reflection enhance their predictive and analytic capabilitiesWhen you think of a classroom curriculum in action, you might suppose that the teacher plans the lesson and then the children carry it out. But more and more, educators are seeing the importance of teaching the children how to plan.This important skill is not only useful in everyday life, it seems that it enhances a child’s capabilities as well. In a journal put out by the NAEYC, they noted that the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation found that students who were given a chance to learn how to plan out their activities, performed better in language and other skills.When a child is brought into the process of planning and reflection, it forces them to evaluate what behaviors and actions are necessary to complete a task. When the plan does not work, they then must analyze why it didn’t and what must be done to get back on track.16. Mature make-believe play provides the most beneficial context for children’s developmentDo you remember playing “store” or “restaurant” when you were a child? These imaginative scenarios, in which children take on roles, props, themes, and collaborate with other children, is one of the most crucial avenues for development.In an article written by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, they make the argument that play is an ever-evolving skill that children must be guided through. Whereas young kids used to play in multi-level age groups (perhaps in a neighborhood or in a family with a lot of children) having older peers in which to mimic and follow, now students are segregated according to age. This means that the teacher is now in the primary role of teaching children how to play.There also must be ample time for play. Sessions that are only 10-15 minutes do not give a child the opportunity to play out the scenarios, actions, and sequences necessary to really engage the senses, the mind, and the child’s innate creativity. The classroom must allow room for these play-based scenarios, as they are one of the building blocks of learning.It is within this context that children build the preliminary skills for advanced academic understanding.17. Children are not blank slates on which adults imprint knowledgeChildren’s brains are far more powerful and intuitive than we ever imagined. As more and more research is done on the impact of early education on children, the results continue to point to a surprising conclusion; when children are given a rich environment to explore, they naturally use scientific processes to discover the world around them.Alison Gopnik, professor at the University of California, reported this in her research that was outlined in the September issues EdWeek’s blog. The push for more academics, more structure, and more early academic intervention is not necessarily beneficial. Adults are not the “givers” of information, but rather facilitators that allow children to use their natural curiosity to discover the world. It would seem that one of the best predictors of future academic success is built on this foundation.18. Young children learn about prejudice by instruction, older children by experienceScience Daily released an article last March that gives educators insight into how children form opinions about discrimination and prejudice. When several different age groups of children were put into differing groups (with one group discriminating against the other), the younger children were more influenced by a teacher’s comments regarding the discriminating group than their actual experience. With the older group of children, they relied on their experience, and not the teacher’s opinion.This has profound implications for early education teachers, as well as parents and caregivers. Young children will believe adults, even when it contradicts their own personal experience. However, this only lasts for a short time during development. By 5th grade, most kids will trust their peers or their own experience over an adult, even an influential one.Delivering a positive message about ethnicity and social equality is best communicated in younger ages in order to make a lasting impact.19. Play-based learning increases a child’s attention spanIn this study done by the Australian Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, researchers took a closer look at how teacher’s beliefs regarding early education influence the classroom environment. A group of teachers partook in the study and here were some of the findings.When teachers have confidence in a child’s ability to learn independently, the child/teacher relationship is stronger.When teachers have confidence in a child’s ability to learn independently, the child/teacher relationship is stronger. Teachers are then able to take a more “facilitative” role and observe the student actively learning. The educators also recognized that when children are allowed to learn through play, there is far less time spent on behavior management. A child’s attention span is also longer.Play-based learning shifts the focus of learning from the outcome or goal, to the process.20. Children learn more when they initiate an activity and are actively engaged in itCuriosity is the birthplace of learning. If you follow a two-year-old around for even a couple of hours, you will watch as he explores the world organically, following his innate curiosity about how things work, taste, feel, look, and sound. When a parent or teacher can harness the power of that curiosity, it is like riding a wave that already has momentum.The Center for Development and Learning gives caregivers helpful advice about how to maximize a child’s early experiences. One of the key points centers on this foundation of curiosity. To give a child a chance to initiate learning, the caregiver must remain in the background, supporting the child’s natural curiosity and offering helpful ways to explore.This is different from the traditional model of instruction, where a teacher doles out knowledge and asks the student to learn the information.21. Rapping helps children learn the concept of place value in mathThe Southwest Educational Development Laboratory put out a classroom math lesson that included a rap song! It is not all that surprising that rap music helps with mathematical concepts. The steady rhythm, and the cadence and rhyming of words make the song easier to remember. The concept is written into the lyrics and the children can learn the song, and thus the mathematical rule.Music is a proven method to aid learning. Classical music has been shown to help concentration, and rhyming melodies are far easier to remember than a list of facts. It activates the auditory system, allowing the child to use another one of their five senses to learn.22. Reinforcing children’s capabilities as confident explorers build children’s resilience and confidenceOne of the most impactful moments for a child is when they understand that a caregiver or teacher believes in his/her ability to learn. This boost of confidence activates the already-present learning mechanisms available in the brain, and helps propel them forward to discover new things in the world.Teachers can do this by standing back, providing opportunities for children to collaborate in groups, as well as offering reflection after the experience, so the child can see what worked and what didn’t. The Open University’s research proves that an adult’s confidence in a child also helps motivate them when experiments fail.Failure no longer becomes a negative thing, but another learning experience.23. Children who are encouraged to talk to themselves aloud have increased probability of learningHave you ever stood in front of a mirror and rehearsed a presentation or important conversation you were about to have? Science proves this is a helpful method of learning and self-analysis.The Council for Exceptional Children incorporated the idea of self-talk in their article about student learning.If a student is working on a math problem or difficult concept, self-talk can help with reasoning and logic. Speaking a loud activates another of the five senses, hearing, and can possibly catch minute details that the eyes keep missing when the child looks over the problem again and again.This concept also works with writing. If a child reads their report or paragraph out loud, the ear is better able to pick up on awkward phrasing than simply using the eyes.24. Children behave better when parents are involved in their education at home and at schoolWhen a parent sends a child on the bus to school, it doesn’t mean that all learning is pushed to the school. Parents are a crucial component to their child’s success. The NYU Child Student Center writes about parents as the key ingredient to a successful school career.Learning continues even after school is done. Parents can help their children with homework, reading, extra enrichment activities, as well as be informed of school behavior problems or social situations that need attending. When parents are active in their child’s education, this minimizes emotional disturbances and other negative situations that can impair the educational process.25. Game playing can develop a positive attitude towards mathematics for childrenMathematics can easily become a tedious and dry subject, full of repetitive problems, formulas, and exams. But when teachers add games to the curriculum, student’s attitudes about math change dramatically. According to Leicha Bragg’s research from Deakin University, she noted that game playing helped change children’s perspective on the subject of math.More kids were able to articulate positive emotions surrounding math, as well as an increase in confidence about different concepts. There was more energy for math, more motivation, and ultimately more success. It seemed that playing math games helped to alleviate the tediousness of repetitive problem solving.26. Children who participate in laughing activities experience increase in memory retentionDo you remember the last time you had a good belly laugh? If you are fortunate enough to have laughter as part of your everyday life, you can probably easily remember what triggered it. Laughter is evidence of an engaged body, mind, and heart, increasing the likelihood that you are able to recall what triggered the positive emotion.Laughter not only increases a child’s capacity to remember the humor, but it also gives a feeling of security and contentment.Pam Schiller and Clarissa A. Willis, both PhD authors, speakers, and curriculum specialists, put out an article that highlights this fact. They note that laughter not only increases a child’s capacity to remember the humor, but it also gives a feeling of security and contentment. It is important that teachers use funny songs, games, or silly phrases to start a lesson.This positive beginning sets up the lesson for success.27. Children who use electronic books show more cooperation and retain more informationAs technology speeds ahead, the learning environment and classroom is rapidly changing. Books especially, are going through a digital overhaul, as more and more texts are available online and in ebook format.In a Scroll Essay called The Effects of Electronic Books Designed for Children in Education, students who used e-books with sound effects, narration, music, and video were able to find and recite more information than the children who used a traditional printed text. The use of the e-book also enhanced group cooperation and gave the students more opportunity to interact.In essence, the e-book was more conducive to group activity than individual private reading.28. Boys engage more in exploratory play while girls engage more in dramatic playBrowse the aisle of a toy store, and most people can identify toys that are marketed towards girls versus boys. Although there is benefit to exposing both boys and girls to a wide variety of toys, research still notes that boys are drawn more to exploration, and girls are drawn more to dramatic play.The Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences put out an article on gender differences that converged on the same bottom line. Boys tend to be more assertive in their interactions and games, whereas girls are more intuitive and relational as they play.Though this is the norm, it is important to note that teachers shouldn’t automatically assume that each gender isn’t capable of playing in the other way. Instructors should acknowledge these differences, make room for each gender to play as they are naturally wired, while encouraging them to try out methods that they may not naturally be comfortable with.29. Phonemic awareness and alphabet recognition increase children’s chances of reading achievementAs soon as a child is two years old, they can begin to recognize letters, numbers, and the association of sounds that go along with them. These pre-reading skills are an early indicator of a child’s ability to read and enjoy literature as a child, teen, and adult.According to Scholastic Research and Results, there are a lot of pre-reading skills that are necessary for literacy, but two stand out as most important; phonemic awareness (understanding the sound a letter makes), as well as alphabet recognition. Even though reading is a visual skill, activating the ear to recognize the different sounds of each letter is the foundation on which reading is built.When a child doesn’t make these connections, a lifetime of literary frustration is sure to result.30. Getting in rhythms helps children grasp fractionsFractions aren’t the easiest concept for a child to learn. However, it is a foundational mathematical principle that is necessary for future advanced mathematics. But there seems to be a connection between music and fractions that is proving to be beneficial.In an article from the SF State News, educators have noticed that clapping, drumming out a beat, notations, and chanting help students understand the concept of fractions. In music theory, notes are identified by halves, eighths, sixteenths, etc. and students have a visual way to begin placing fractions in context.The results show that students who use music and rhythm to teach fractions score notably higher on math exams that those that don’t. So get out your drums and your hands, and begin clapping your way to a better understanding of fractions.31. Daydreaming boosts brains [Editor’s Addition]Daydreaming is often seen as wasting time and sometimes a lack of the ability to focus. But recent research found the opposite is true.Among its many benefits, daydreaming has been associated with longer attention span, increased resolve, creativity and even higher IQ.Perhaps this explains why some of the brightest minds in the world are born daydreamers – Einstein being a prime example. In fact, Elizabeth Blackburn, Australia’s first female Nobel prize winner, said, “I think you need time to daydream, to let your imagination take you where it can … Just do that some of the time, because I’ve noticed [that] among the creative, successful scientists who’ve really advanced things, that was a part of their life.”Following is the link for newly created space for getting all Indian government jobs updates. Because many students say that they missed to fill the form and now the time has gone. So, let me remind you in a proper time about the jobs, it’s all description, providing link for main website to fill this form, sending link for videos that how to fill this form. 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