INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get your heart rate up for at least a few minutes every day. The healthy benefits of exercise cannot be understated. Exercise boosts neuroplasticity and provides an immediate reduction in stress hormones. Further, memory-sapping health maladies, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, are less likely to develop in active individuals. Favor aerobic exercises that get your blood pumping, like swimming or jogging Games like basketball, which require hand-eye coordination and engage your motor skills, are great, as they give your brain a work out along with your body. If you can, exercise first thing in the morning. Not only will this help you wake your brain up, it will jumpstart learning for the rest of the day. Even a walk around the block or a couple dozen jumping jacks can give your mind a body a quick jolt of focus and energy. You may be getting "enough" sleep, but in order to maximize your brain's potential, you probably need more. Almost all adults require 7.5 to 9 hours of sleep in order to enjoy full mental strength during the day. Your memory, ability to learn new things, and even creativity can't reach their full potential if your brain and body aren't fully rested. Quality of sleep matters immensely as well. To help fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, get on a regular sleeping schedule. Try to get to bed and get up around the same time everyday. Keep this schedule on the weekends too! Help yourself wind down by avoiding screens of any type for the hour before you go to bed. Try reading instead! Certain dietary habits can help keep your brain functioning at full speed, and even diminish the risk of developing dementia. In particular, make sure omega-3 is consistently present in your diet. These fatty acids are most commonly found in cold water fish like salmon and tuna. They are also in flaxseeds, walnuts, spinach, and soybeans. Make fruits and veggies are greater portion of your overall diet. This will help cut back on other foods that are more likely to cause mental and physical sluggishness. Green tea contains loads of antioxidants that help rid your body of brain cell-damaging free radicals. Red wine, on the other hand, can help increase blood flow to the brain and can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's. Alternatively, grape and cranberry juice offer these same benefits. Keep alcohol consumption around 1 glass per day. While alcohol in moderation may actually contribute to improved mental capacity, too much alcohol kills brain cells. All carbs provide energy that your brain can use. Simple carbs, such as those in foods made with sugar or refined grain will give your body a short energy boost and a dramatic crash. Instead, go for foods that include complex carbs. These include whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, cereal with lots of fiber, lentils, and beans.

SUMMARY: Exercise daily. Get plenty of sleep. Eat with mental health in mind. Drink brain emboldening beverages. Opt for complex carbs.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Look for a therapist who treats people who have problems similar to yours. Experienced therapists have seen the problems you are facing again and again, and will likely have a good idea about how to help you. For instance, many specialize in areas such as depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and so on. Finding a good therapist comes down to a mixture of factors, such as ensuring that the professional has experience with treating your issue, finding out their unique therapy style, and going for an initial session. If you find that you and the person get along well, and you feel better after your sessions, you may have found the right therapist for you. Meet with a few therapists to get a feel for their different styles and personalities. Don't be discouraged if your don't find your perfect fit at first; it's important to take the time to find someone who is a good match for your needs. Talk to your therapist about the techniques and methods that will be used in your sessions. Don't be afraid to ask questions; even if you feel they are personal. For example, if you are concerned about your therapist's own life experience or beliefs concerning your treatment, you might say, "Are you religious? It's important for me to talk to someone who believes in a higher power." Although you may not receive a direct answer, you'll receive an explanation as to why not, which may help you understand your therapist better and learn his or her boundaries. Ask the therapist to explain any business policies that might affect your work together, such as fees for cancelling appointments or talking after hours. Know that there isn't a set time for how long you may need therapy, or that there is a method that works the best for everyone. Realize that although you may think what the therapist asks of you won't work, you should still give it a chance. You never know, you may be pleasantly surprised. Be willing to go along with what the therapist suggests, even if it is outside of your comfort zone. Doing so may help you finally experience the breakthrough you've wanted. Some therapists like to assign "homework" or work you do between sessions to advance your skills or understanding. Try to complete these assignments and take them seriously to see personal growth. Write down your feelings, fears, anxieties, frustrations, and whatever else is on your mind on that blank piece of paper. You'll probably be surprised at how liberating it feels to get what is going on inside of you out into the open. Then, bring your journal to a session. You may find that reading your entries to your therapist helps get the conversation going easier.

SUMMARY:
Find the right therapist for you and your needs. Ask your therapist to thoroughly explain the process. Have an open mind. Let your thoughts flow by journaling about them first.