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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
3 effective science-backed ways to keep the brain healthy
Brain health is paramount, and experts suggest simple, cost-free methods to boost its function. A study in Brain Sciences highlights three key factors: physical exercise, social interaction, and cultivating strong interests. Movement combats brain aging, while relationships stimulate complex biological processes. Passion drives learning, impacting neural network development. The brain is undoubtedly the most important organ in the human body. It's in charge of some of the vital functions in the body, and hence keeping it in top shape is important. But how do you boost your brain function? No, you don't really have to take endless supplements or expensive treatments. The trick is simple and free of cost! Here are 3 effective ways to boost brain health, according to experts. Before we dive into the tips, let's take a look at the miraculous power of the brain. Your brain is fabulous Ever imagined how powerful your brain is? You are reading this article, and along with visualisation, your brain is breaking down this information and storing it. Lift your hands. Your brain just did it! How fabulous is it? There are around 100 billion nerve cells that work in coordination to keep you nimble and quick in your thinking. However, just like your body requires rest and care, your brain, too, needs it, especially when you grow older. The decline in brain function can appear like wanting to write things down to remember, or missing your appointments, or even finding it challenging to follow a conversation without straining. But the good news is you can improve your brain health. How to improve brain health Yoga also helps in brain development of kids To keep our bodies healthy, we exercise. Similarly, exercise can improve your brain health. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo But how exactly do we do it. 'The keys to our nervous system are the grey and white matter,' Hermundur Sigmundsson, a professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology's (NTNU) Department of Psychology, said in a statement. He adds, ' Roughly speaking, the grey matter consists of the nerve cells or neurons and dendrites, while the white matter provides the contacts between the cells (myelinated axons) and contributes to the transmission speed and distribution of the signals. ' An article published in the journal Brain Sciences explains the 3 factors that influence brain health. It is more about keeping the grey and white matter in shape. 'Three factors stand out if you want to keep your brain at its best. These factors are: Physical exercise, being social, and having strong interests,' Sigmundsson adds. Motion Movement is important for overall health, especially the brain. Despite its significance, it is probably the biggest challenge for many of us. 'An active lifestyle helps to develop the central nervous system and to counteract the ageing of the brain,' Sigmundsson says. The researchers emphasize that it is crucial not to get stuck in your chair. And it definitely requires effort, that's the only way forward. If you have a sedentary job, invest some time after it to move physically. Relationships 'Relationships with other people, and interacting with them, contribute to a number of complex biological factors that can prevent the brain from slowing down,' Sigmundsson says. Surrounding yourselves with people and having conversations or physical contact supports good brain function. Passion Yes, you read it right. Passion helps your brain stay healthy. This has a lot to do with your personality. If you have read this far, chances are that you already have the necessary foundation and are probably willing to learn. 'Passion, or having a strong interest in something, can be the decisive, driving factor that leads us to learn new things. Over time, this impacts the development and maintenance of our neural networks,' Sigmundsson says. Image Credit: Canva The key is to stay curious. You don't have to let everything run its course the same way all the time. Don't give up, understand that you are never too old to do something new. Simple things like learning to play a new musical instrument could help. Coldplay 'Kiss Cam' EXPOSES CEO's Secret Romance With HR Chief According to this study, you have to exercise your brain to prevent decay - 'Use it or lose it'. 'Brain development is closely linked to lifestyle. Physical exercise, relationships and passion help to develop and maintain the basic structures of our brain as we get older,' Sigmundsson adds.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Taiwan coach apologises for 'pressuring' students to give blood
A sports coach at a Taiwanese university has issued a formal apology over a research project that allegedly involved her coercing students into giving blood, according to local media. Chou Tai-ying, 61, said that her intention was to help her team "because I had only a few players and they were often injured", but it is not known exactly what the blood was being taken for. A Taiwanese politician, Chen Pei-yu, brought the case to light in 2024, alleging students were told that they would lose academic credits if they did not take part. An internal investigation at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei later found the blood sampling had started in 2019 and continued into 2024 for different "research projects". Coach Chou, who admitted asking unqualified students to help withdraw the blood, apologised on Saturday for placing "any pressure on the school and the students" through her "reckless words and behaviour," Taiwan's Focus News agency reported. "It is definitely my fault for making you feel the way you did," she said to the students via a statement. Professor Chen Hsueh-chih, leader of one of the unspecified research projects, also issued an apology. He said the aim was to help student athletes, but admitted it had unintentionally brought them and their families harm. The internal investigation indicated that students had given blood once a day. The samples were thrown out after the investigation found fault with the way the blood was drawn. Chen Pei-yu originally alleged that the research project required players to give three blood samples a day for 14 days straight. She said the players were required to take part in the project over several years. NTNU principal Wu Cheng-chi apologised on Saturday for what he called the school's negligence. He said the institution's ethics and oversight procedures would be reviewed. Taiwan's deputy education minister said the case would be reviewed by their department, as well as the actions of Chou and Chen. Separately, the education ministry said on Thursday it might revoke the coaching license of an NTNU women's football coach, without naming the individual.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Taiwan coach apologises for 'pressuring' students to give blood
A sports coach at a Taiwanese university has issued a formal apology over a research project that allegedly involved her coercing students into giving blood, according to local media. Chou Tai-ying, 61, said that her intention was to help her team "because I had only a few players and they were often injured", but it is not known exactly what the blood was being taken for.A Taiwanese politician, Chen Pei-yu, brought the case to light in 2024, alleging students were told that they would lose academic credits if they did not take internal investigation at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) in Taipei later found the blood sampling had started in 2019 and continued into 2024 for different "research projects". Coach Chou, who admitted asking unqualified students to help withdraw the blood, apologised on Saturday for placing "any pressure on the school and the students" through her "reckless words and behaviour," Taiwan's Focus News agency reported."It is definitely my fault for making you feel the way you did," she said to the students via a statement. Professor Chen Hsueh-chih, leader of one of the unspecified research projects, also issued an said the aim was to help student athletes, but admitted it had unintentionally brought them and their families internal investigation indicated that students had given blood once a day. The samples were thrown out after the investigation found fault with the way the blood was Pei-yu originally alleged that the research project required players to give three blood samples a day for 14 days straight. She said the players were required to take part in the project over several principal Wu Cheng-chi apologised on Saturday for what he called the school's negligence. He said the institution's ethics and oversight procedures would be deputy education minister said the case would be reviewed by their department, as well as the actions of Chou and the education ministry said on Thursday it might revoke the coaching license of an NTNU women's football coach, without naming the individual.
NDTV
5 days ago
- NDTV
"Vampire" Coach Took Blood From Students In Exchange For Grades At Taiwan University
A football coach at a top Taiwanese university has been accused by students of forcing them to donate blood in exchange for academic credits. The scandal has led to a row, with people taking to social media to slam the women's team coach for her bizarre actions, according to a report in the South China Morning Post. The incident came to light when a student, surnamed Jian, came out in public to level the accusations. Jian, studying at the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), said the students had been coerced by their coach, Zhou Tai-ying, a well-known figure on the circuit. Jian claimed that the blood donations were linked to the 32 academic credits required for graduation. During her time at the university, she underwent more than 200 blood donations in exchange for course credits. "Sometimes this involved continuous sampling for up to 14 days, on occasion three times a day, from 5 am to 9 pm," the report highlighted. The blood was drawn by untrained personnel claiming to use it for "on-campus research experiments". "It was truly blood and sweat for credit. I was practically boiling with rage! By the eighth consecutive day of blood draws, they could barely find a vein in either arm," said Jian. "They even tried my wrist and failed. It was excruciating. I completely broke down. It took six tries before they finally succeeded!" Jian wrote in a post, also sharing a video of herself sobbing during the procedure. Another unnamed student revealed that Zhou bullied them. She added that she did not tell her parents about it as it would have upset them. 'If my dad knew, he'd definitely go fight the coach. I just did not want them to be upset,' the student said. As the controversy snowballed, the university announced on July 13 that Zhou had been dismissed and barred from leading any sports teams. "I sincerely apologise for the harm caused to the students involved, to the faculty, and the university's reputation. I deeply regret the emotional distress caused to the students and want to say sorry to all of you," Zhou wrote in a letter of apology. However, the announcement and the letter were later removed from the university's social media page. The local education authorities have issued an administrative penalty to NTNU, while social media users have demanded action against the "vampire" coach.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Taiwan ‘vampire' football coach accused of forcing students to give blood for academic credits
A scandal in Taiwan involving a university women's football coach accused of forcing students to donate blood in exchange for their required academic credits has sparked widespread outrage online. Advertisement The revelation came to light when a student, surnamed Jian, from the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), went public with the accusation. Jian said that students had been coerced by their coach, Zhou Tai-ying, 61, a prominent figure in the island's football, to participate in excessive blood-donation sessions. The sessions were reportedly tied to 32 academic credits required for graduation, and students risked being unable to graduate or even face expulsion if they failed to comply. Student victim Jian, above, said she was practically 'boiling with rage' over the controversy. Photo: ET Today Jian said that she underwent more than 200 blood donations in exchange for course credits during her time at the university.
