你是否有“感覺自己腦子好像不夠用了”的時刻?如今,很多人常陷在手機(jī)里,短視頻、App消息提示不僅占了一個人的時間,更擠占大腦。 研究顯示,持續(xù)信息過載會減少大腦海馬體突觸連接、降低神經(jīng)遞質(zhì)分泌,導(dǎo)致記憶提取錯誤率上升。
不過別擔(dān)心,雖然大腦長大后確實(shí)不會再有顯著物理躍遷,但大腦的神經(jīng)元可塑性非常高,生活中做這些小事就能幫我們重新“長長腦子”。
Many people today complain of feeling mentally drained, as constant smartphone notifications, short videos and fragmented information compete for their attention. Neuroscience research shows that chronic information overload can damage synaptic connections in the hippocampus — the brain's memory hub — and even increase the risk of memory lapses.
But scientists stress there is good news: although the brain does not physically grow after adulthood, it remains highly "plastic" meaning its neural networks can be strengthened through daily habits. Recent studies point to five accessible strategies to "sharpen the mind".
吃魚補(bǔ)腦
魚和其他食物最大的區(qū)別是魚富含Omega-3 ,這種人體必需的脂肪酸無法自行合成,需從食物攝取,且有降血脂、增強(qiáng)免疫力、輔助改善記憶的功能。這也印證了“多吃魚有益”的說法。
根據(jù)《中國居民膳食指南 (2022) 》,每周吃魚2次為佳,大約300~500克。
Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, essential nutrients that the human body cannot produce on its own. Omega-3s not only support cardiovascular health but also improve memory and immune function. According to the
Dietary Guidelines for Chinese (2022), consuming fish twice a week — about 300 to 500 grams in total — is considered optimal.
圖源:CFP
運(yùn)動健腦
運(yùn)動既能強(qiáng)身,也能 “健腦”——讓負(fù)責(zé)記憶的關(guān)鍵腦區(qū)(海馬體)變大。
《實(shí)驗(yàn)老年學(xué)》一項(xiàng)研究顯示:將受試者分為兩組,一組受試者進(jìn)行每周3次、每次50~80分鐘的運(yùn)動和力量訓(xùn)練,半年后MRI掃描發(fā)現(xiàn)其海馬體明顯變大;相比之下,沒有鍛煉的對照組海馬體在半年內(nèi)則因正常老化而體積縮小。
海馬體是大腦中掌管學(xué)習(xí)、記憶的核心區(qū)域,它的萎縮與記憶力下降的風(fēng)險增加密切相關(guān)。運(yùn)動能讓它 “逆生長”,意味著可能有助于保護(hù)記憶、延緩認(rèn)知衰退、降低癡呆風(fēng)險。
Physical activity benefits not only the body but also the brain. A study published in
Experimental Gerontologyfound that participants who engaged in strength and aerobic training three times a week for six months saw measurable growth in the hippocampus, while those who did not exercise experienced age-related shrinkage.
圖源:CFP
以下是被證實(shí)“健腦”效果最好的4類運(yùn)動——
① 中等強(qiáng)度的有氧耐力運(yùn)動
比如快走、慢跑、游泳、騎自行車等等。每周至少150分鐘,心率維持在最大心率的60%~70%左右,如果你判斷不出來,可以用一個小方法來大概衡量——“能說話但不能唱歌”的程度。
②高強(qiáng)度間歇訓(xùn)練
高強(qiáng)度間歇訓(xùn)練是指短時間、持續(xù)高強(qiáng)度運(yùn)動和短時間靜息/低強(qiáng)度運(yùn)動交替組成的一種體育鍛煉方式。不過,這類運(yùn)動更建議有一定運(yùn)動基礎(chǔ)的人進(jìn)行,需要注意避免運(yùn)動損傷。
③認(rèn)知-運(yùn)動結(jié)合的技巧性運(yùn)動
這類運(yùn)動指的是那種需要“身體動作+大腦思考”同時參與的運(yùn)動,它比重復(fù)熟悉動作更能刺激大腦,尤其適合平常存在“注意力不集中”“大腦經(jīng)常一片空白”的朋友。比如球類運(yùn)動、舞蹈,還有時下非常流行的攀巖。
④ 力量訓(xùn)練(抗阻訓(xùn)練)
比如深蹲、平板支撐、俯臥撐、使用健身器械等等。需要注意的是,要避免“突擊運(yùn)動”,大腦的神經(jīng)保護(hù)、海馬體的體積維持都是“長期效應(yīng)”。
如果你感覺從“不動”到“動起來”的這個過程非常難,也可以先從工作間隙散散步、下班后提前一站地鐵下車走回家或者騎車子回家這種比較容易的小事開始。
Researchers recommend four categories of brain-friendly exercise: moderate aerobic activity such as brisk walking or swimming; high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for experienced exercisers; skill-based sports combining movement with cognitive engagement, such as dancing or ball games; and resistance training, from squats to weightlifting.
早睡養(yǎng)腦
早睡、不熬夜,對大腦有充分的養(yǎng)護(hù)作用,一個好的睡眠比什么都重要。
大腦在安靜休息或睡眠時(尤其非快速眼動睡眠期),海馬體產(chǎn)生特殊腦電波,這被認(rèn)為是記憶鞏固的黃金時間窗口。此時大腦會像“回放電影”一樣,重新激活并整理白天的經(jīng)歷,把短期記憶轉(zhuǎn)化為長期記憶。但熬夜缺覺會讓海馬體神經(jīng)元持續(xù)高頻率放電,打亂記憶整理,就算熬夜后補(bǔ)覺也補(bǔ)不回對記憶力的影響。
Quality rest is crucial for memory consolidation. During non-REM sleep, the hippocampus "replays" daytime experiences, converting short-term impressions into long-term memory. Sleep deprivation, however, disrupts this process, and catching up later does not fully compensate for the damage.
讀書強(qiáng)腦
一項(xiàng)發(fā)表在《大腦皮層》(Cerebral Cortex)上的研究中,研究人員比較了三類人群,分別是“不會閱讀的文盲”“從小就開始閱讀的人群”“長大后才開始閱讀的人群”,結(jié)果表明:閱讀會讓左腦弓狀束的特定部分(連接顳葉和頂葉的區(qū)域)結(jié)構(gòu)發(fā)生顯著變化。
這種變化意味著神經(jīng)纖維束更有序、更密集,信息沿著固定方向傳輸更順暢,神經(jīng)纖維束周圍的包裹(髓鞘)更完整,減少了信息在傳輸過程中的“泄漏”或干擾,而這增強(qiáng)了我們大腦的認(rèn)知能力,讀寫能力。
如果發(fā)現(xiàn)自己已經(jīng)“喪失”深度閱讀技能,可以從簡單日常練起。比如聽熟悉的歌回憶下一句歌詞;用路邊車牌或廣告牌造長句;完整看完這篇文章要再用自己的話總結(jié),不要中途跳出。
總之,就是讓大腦始終處在“需要稍微用力思考”的狀態(tài),而非單純的“躺平接受信息”。
A study published in
Cerebral Cortexfound that reading changes the brain's structure by strengthening neural pathways between the temporal and parietal lobes. Researchers observed that individuals who engaged in reading, even if they learned later in life, developed denser, more organized fiber bundles, improving cognitive efficiency. Experts suggest simple daily practices — such as recalling song lyrics, summarizing articles, or forming sentences with random words — to rebuild deep reading capacity.
圖源:CFP
音樂醒腦
聽音樂的過程,對大腦來說,像是一場多感官的調(diào)動訓(xùn)練。過往有研究表明,負(fù)責(zé)聽覺、視覺以及運(yùn)動感覺的腦區(qū)在音樂家的大腦中展現(xiàn)出不同。
經(jīng)過音樂訓(xùn)練之后, 聽覺系統(tǒng)在處理聲音時會更敏感, 人們可以察覺到較小的頻率差異,控制與樂器演奏相關(guān)的肌肉和身體 (如手指、嘴部等) 的腦區(qū)變大了,甚至閱讀分?jǐn)?shù)的高低也與樂感的高低呈相關(guān)關(guān)系。
Music activates multiple brain regions simultaneously, enhancing auditory sensitivity, motor control, and even academic performance. Musicians, for instance, often show enlarged brain areas linked to fine motor skills and pitch recognition. Listening to or practicing music can therefore serve as a cross-sensory "workout" for the brain.
為了更好的“長腦子”,我們可以把這幾個習(xí)慣形成閉環(huán),產(chǎn)生疊加效益:
① 晨間運(yùn)動加晨讀激活神經(jīng)可塑性,提升日間學(xué)習(xí)效率;
② 路上聽歌放松大腦,幫緊繃的神經(jīng)慢慢舒展;
③ 午間小睡固化上午所學(xué),為大腦“騰出內(nèi)存”;
④ 晚餐蒸魚提供omega脂肪酸,輔助大腦改善;
⑤ 深度睡眠完成記憶刻錄與毒素清理,開啟新循環(huán)。
你平時常用的“長腦子”小習(xí)慣是什么?歡迎在留言區(qū)分享。
編輯:李金昳
實(shí)習(xí)生:宋怡璇
來源:人民日報 科普中國
China Daily精讀計劃
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