A neuroscientist has revealed her top three morning routine tips that are essential for boosting brain health, setting you up perfectly to tackle the day ahead. Nicole Vignola, hailed as ‘Instagram’s favourite brain expert’, joined NHS surgeon Dr Karan Rajan on his podcast to delve into the neuroscience of breaking bad habits and share some crucial brain hacks.
In a snippet posted on Dr Karan’s TikTok, they discussed simple measures for “optimizing your brain health from morning until sleep”. Nicole’s first act after waking is to hydrate with a glass of water.
She explained: “Even a two per cent reduction or dehydration in the brain can cause temporary cognitive impairment. It can impair psycho-motor activity, your ability to think.”
Dr Karan highlighted the fact that dehydration can lead to the brain shrinking. Buxton Water further noted that hydration is key for maintaining concentration, improving short-term memory, and reducing mental tiredness, reports Surrey Live.
Nicole also tries to resist the urge to check her phone immediately upon waking. She said: “When you do that, you’re snapping yourself out of that, sort of, low theta brainwave activity, low alpha brainwave, where you’re in a state of creativity, high suggestibility.”
For her final non-negotiable, the neuroscientist emphasises the importance of movement or meditation each morning, something she steadfastly adheres to.
Nicole highlighted the benefits of meditation, saying: “That helps to rewire that frontal cortex, that ability to have control of your emotions, the ability to push out any competing distractors.”
The Mayo Clinic has also weighed in on the practice, noting that meditation can be a powerful tool for deep relaxation and mental calmness. By concentrating on a single point of focus during meditation, it’s possible to clear the barrage of thoughts that often invade the mind and contribute to stress, ultimately enhancing both physical and emotional health.