The June contest #1 by sduttaskitchen|Train your

Hi stemians participating in the contest
Train Your Brain

When you hear the phrase "Train your brain," what comes to your mind? For me, it feels like telling myself, “Hey, you’re not just floating through life. You can actually take control of how your mind works.” It’s like reminding myself that the brain isn’t just a thinking machine that runs on its own it’s more like a muscle. And if it’s a muscle, then guess what? It can be trained.

But let’s not rush into science or big grammar. Let’s talk like we’re sitting on the front porch, sipping something cold, and reflecting on life. You see, that phrase Train your brain can be very simple, but very deep too. It’s about being intentional with what you allow into your mind, how you respond to things, and how you choose to grow mentally every single day.

So do our brains really react based on how we train them? Yes. Absolutely. If you keep telling a child from a young age that they are stupid or useless, what happens? They grow up believing that nonsense and behaving like it. Not because they are truly stupid, but because their brain was “trained” that way. Likewise, if you feed your brain with positive, challenging, and productive stuff, it will begin to operate in that direction.

Let me give you a simple example. I used to hate reading. I thought it was boring and unnecessary. But one day I challenged myself to read just five pages of a book every day. Just five. At first, it was difficult—I would get distracted or even fall asleep. But with time, my brain got used to it. Now, reading feels normal, enjoyable even. That’s training.

Your brain will follow whatever pattern you introduce to it. If you keep consuming gossip and negativity, don’t expect it to produce smart, focused thoughts. If you only ever scroll through TikTok and Instagram, don’t expect your brain to suddenly develop deep thinking skills. You have to give it the right food.

Now, if we say we want to carry a healthy brain, there are a few key things we must pay attention to. Just like our physical body needs water, food, rest, and exercise our brains have needs too. Let’s talk about rest. People don’t talk about this enough, but your brain needs rest to function well. Not just sleep, but real rest. Quiet moments. Breaks from overthinking. If your mind is always running—even when your body is not moving—you will wear yourself out mentally. I’ve had days where I wasn’t physically tired but felt totally exhausted mentally, and that was worse.

The brain also loves challenges. I’m not talking about stress. I mean healthy mental challenges. Learning a new language, solving puzzles, writing, even engaging conversations. These things keep the brain active and sharp. If you don’t stretch your brain from time to time, it becomes lazy just like unused muscles get weak.

And don’t forget food. What you eat matters. Foods rich in omega-3 (like fish), fruits, nuts, vegetables—they help your brain function better. And water! Please drink enough water. Dehydration can mess with your memory and focus badly. I’m not a nutritionist, but I know that when I eat clean and drink well, my mind is clearer and I’m more alert.

Now let’s talk about thinking. Positive thinking, to be precise. You might roll your eyes here, but it’s real. Negative thoughts are like poison for the brain. The more you think bad thoughts, the more your brain starts to believe them and act accordingly. I’ve learned to catch myself when I’m spiraling into overthinking or self-doubt. It’s not easy, but every time I fight those thoughts, my brain gets stronger and I feel more in control.

Then there’s the part of learning. You don’t stop learning just because you’ve finished school. Life is a continuous classroom. Read something new. Watch documentaries. Listen to intelligent conversations. Even talk to people who are smarter than you. Every time you take in new information, your brain forms new connections. That’s how you grow. That’s how you stay sharp.

Let me be honest I’m not perfect with all these things. Sometimes I binge-watch nonsense, even when I know better. Sometimes I sleep too little or scroll for hours. Sometimes I let fear and doubt sit in my head longer than they should. But I always try to come back to the basics. I remind myself: this brain is mine. And it will either be my biggest asset or my biggest enemy, depending on how I train it.

Here’s a little routine I try to follow. Maybe it’ll work for you too. I try to read for at least fifteen minutes every day, even if it’s just an article online. I aim to get enough sleep when I can, and I drink more water now than I used to. I also take breaks from social media when I feel too overwhelmed. I try to speak kindly to myself, especially on rough days. And I try to learn something new every month, even if it’s just a small fact or a new word.

All these small things? They matter. They shape how your brain thinks, reacts, and grows.

So the next time you hear the words “Train your brain,” I hope you don’t take it lightly. It’s not a motivational phrase just for show. It’s a daily reminder that your brain is your most powerful tool and you’re in charge of how you use it.

Train it well. Feed it right. And protect it like your life depends on it… because in many ways, it actually does

Inviting my friends
@kwinberry @davidmarkgeorge