[continue from Part I: HOW TO BECOME AN INTELLIGENT LEARNER]

Create a Brain-friendly Environment for Work & Learning

Organise your physical environment to support you both at home and at your workplace.

Here are some suggestions:

Establish a learning centre. Have one specific place where you can work or study, helps you get your brain in the habit of getting down to the business of information processing whenever you are there.

Always make sure you have a good light source for reading. Natural light or full-spectrum lighting is best for your eyes.

Also, get comfortable – but not so comfortable – chair. An erect posture in the chair will transmit messages of alertness to your brain.

Keep the room temperature cold. The best temperature for the brain is about 19 degrees Centigrade. This is the temperature that will promote optimum brain performance. It is colder than most people commonly set their thermostats. If it feels too cold, wear a sweater.

Play some Baroque and Classical music softly in the background as you work or study. 

Research has shown that Baroque music from the 17th to 18th centuries can help eliminate physical stress and enhance mental performance. The slow movements in Baroque compositions, generally designated as “Largo” or “Adagio”, have approx, 60 beats per minute. This is close to the rate of the human heart beat in a relaxed state.

Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major are highly recommended for enhanced mental performance. 

Other recommended Baroque composers include Bach, Corelli, Handel and Telemann.

From my own strategic exploration over the tears, New Age music selections can induce the same effect. My favourite New Age composers include Ray Lynch, Ravi Shankar, Kitaro (just stay away from his drums!), Stephen Halpern, van Gelis and Yanni.

Keep your surrounding environment bright and pleasant.

In addition to a good light source and a cold temperature, the surrounding environment should have an uplifting ambience. 

Subdued pastel colours, beautiful paintings or posters, a window with a view of nature scenes are uplifting for your brain. Choose artwork that is relaxing, but avoid busy scenes that remind your brain of noise and crowds.

It is also good to have some natural green plants around you, and plenty of fresh air with cross-ventilation to keep the air blowing.

Remove visual distractions from your work or study space. Keep food, TV, magazines and other temptations out of sight and out of the room if possible.

Give yourself regular breaks. 

Concentration can deteriorate as a result of mental fatigue. Studies indicate that forty to fifty minutes is about the maximum time most people can effectively concentrate. At the end of that time you begin to experience fatigue and drift out of the peak learning state. A short break will revitalise you.

When you are taking a break, get some exercise, do a body stretch, relax your neck and back muscles, drink some water, or participate in a non-mental activity to clear your mind. 

Personally, I would recommend Brain Gym exercises as highlighted in my weblog.

[to be continued in Part III]