Constantly taking calls and checking messages, news, and social media can take over life. Ask yourself: Is my phone or computer my master? Technology may enhance our lives, but we need to make it work for us, not the other way around.

While exercise is beneficial for sleep, strenuous exercise too close to bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep and reduces sleep quality. As we’ve all experienced, without a good night’s sleep, it can be difficult to stay alert and focused!

This herb supports brain health and improves cognitive function by reducing stress, thanks to its ability to protect brain cells and its antioxidant properties.

Drink plenty of water to help energize the body. Dehydration can make you feel sluggish, leading to unclear thinking and mood changes.

Minimize the intake of sugar, refined foods, and fried foods which are as detrimental to our brain as they are to our body.

According to a 2018 study published in The Lancet, there is no safe level of alcohol consumption. Slurred speech and memory loss are some of the more immediate effects of alcohol, while others, like long-term brain cell damage, may not be as noticeable in the short term.

Before electric lighting, sleeping patterns were guided naturally by the sun’s rising and setting. Try to synchronize with this ebb and flow of nature as much as possible. This will help you feel more energetic, productive, and focused. If you’re in the habit of going to bed late, but would like to rise earlier, try gradually bringing your schedule forward so that you go to bed and wake up 10 to 15 minutes earlier each day, until you reach your desired sleep and wake time.

It can be tempting to “check-in” first thing in the morning, but if you resist this urge upon waking, you’ll be able to move strategically towards your goals, rather than letting messages, emails, and algorithms dictate your day.