We talk a lot here about brain health, and that’s because more of us are starting to worry about it. Maybe you’ve got a close relative who’s lived with dementia. Perhaps you’re struggling with brain fog. It could be that never-ending political news and work stress are making it a bit more difficult to think clearly. Whatever your motivation, we’ve got you covered. 

This week, we’ve been exploring TikTok’s ‘anti-Alzheimer’s pinky exercise’ and getting neuroscientists to share the six simple things they swear by for brain health. We’ve also got dementia doctors on the 13 habits they never do – that aren’t the obvious smoking- or booze-related tips. Some are genuinely surprising (anyone who religiously avoids sunshine, this one’s for you).

ICYMI, an interesting report came out recently that seemed to confirm that your daily omega-3 fish oil capsule isn’t boosting your brain health as much as you might think. Here’s what to eat instead. Oh, and speaking of new research, this week scientists confirmed that this is the healthy and longevity-promoting limit for coffee (it’s so much higher than you might think). We know that the sacred bean has plenty of cognitive benefits, so enjoy your morning cup safe in the knowledge that there’s plenty more where that came from.

They say that ‘money can’t buy you happiness’, and while that may at times seem hard to believe, there is growing research to suggest that when people do win a load of cash, their ‘baseline happiness’ doesn’t improve all that much in the long term.

First introduced by psychologists Philip Brickman and Donald T Campbell in the 1970s, the idea is that each of us has an inbuilt set point of happiness that we eventually return to – regardless of the life events we experience. But if that’s a real thing, does that make it something we can measure, control or even improve? To find out, writer Ashleigh Spiliopoulou has been chatting to leading psychologists and researchers in the field of happiness. Read on to learn more.

Question:

I’m really struggling to stay focused this summer. Apart from taking a break, is there anything I can do at work to help my brain stay on track? 

Answer:

It might be time to try a ‘dopamine detox’. Many everyday habits keep the brain chasing quick bursts of dopamine, and over time, this can make it harder to stay focused on tasks that require longer periods of concentration. Try reducing or quitting the following three brain drainers:

1. Multitasking. Constantly switching between tasks forces the brain to repeatedly reset its attention, with research showing that frequent task-switching increases cognitive load. Try setting focused work blocks where you concentrate on just one task.

2. Online shopping. It’s designed to keep you engaged, and that rush of anticipation can trigger the brain’s reward system. Pause and observe the urge to shop, rather than acting on the impulse immediately. 

3. A cluttered workspace. The brain has to filter through more visual information when surrounded by clutter, which increases cognitive load and makes it harder to block out distractions. Set a five-minute timer at the end of the day and quickly reset your workspace before you leave.