X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

3 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power & Your Wallet

4 min read

If you’re like many Singaporeans, you may turn to nutraceuticals, vitamins, and other supplements in hopes of improving your memory and cognitive function. Unfortunately, there’s a lack of robust evidence that shows that these are effective in boosting brain power. They’re also often costly. But you don’t have to throw your hard-earned money down the drain to achieve results. Here are 3 scientifically proven activities on how to be smarter with money and improve your brain health simultaneously.

How to be smarter with money? Try these 3 activities!

Reading Can Improve Communication Skills At Work

how to be smarter with money

Image source: iStock

Just as frequent jogging strengthens your cardiovascular system, regular reading can improve memory function by giving your brain a good workout. According to a study at the Fisher Centre for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, reading provides the mental stimulation needed to protect memory and thinking skills, especially with age. More specifically, frequent brain exercise has been shown to lower mental decline by 32%. This delayed decline means that you can stay sharper for longer, leading to better long-term work performance.

Additionally, reading can make it easier for you to relate to others. This benefit is especially true with literary fiction, which helps readers understand what others are thinking by reading about other people’s emotions. Interestingly, research shows that emotional intelligence plays a crucial role in the workplace. Managers are known to pay extra attention to communication skills when reviewing an employee for promotion purposes. So, if you want to advance in your career and earn that paycheck raise, reading may be the way forward. To further cement the relationship between reading and wealth, research indicates that access to books from a young age corresponds to higher earnings over a lifetime.

Yoga Improves Memory, Fitness Correlates With Higher Salaries

According to a study published in 2016 by researchers at UCLA, yoga can improve memory functions just as much as dedicated memory enhancement exercises–the gold standard for managing mild cognitive impairment. As a total mind-body workout, yoga can also keep you physically fit, which research has shown actually correlates with earning a notably higher salary compared to those who rarely (or never) workout. In fact, research across multiple countries and decades cumulatively estimates a 4%–17% comparative boost in earnings for individuals who engage in sports and exercise, such as yoga.

how to be smarter with money

Image source: Value Champion

If you choose to stay physically active through yoga instead of going to the gym, you may also be able to save an average of S$193.97 per month by forgoing a gym membership. While opting to take classes at a yoga studio can be expensive, you can alternatively exercise from home and follow YouTube instructional videos for free. A great and flexible way on how to be smarter with money!

Massage Therapy Promotes Mental Health, Countering Burnout

Unsurprisingly, overwhelming work intensity is a strong predictor of unfavourable work outcomes. In Singapore’s fast-paced, high-stress economy, working without taking time to relax can lead to disengagement and higher burnout rates (which is linked to suboptimal job performance and earnings). Massage therapy is known to lower stress, decrease anxiety and prevent depression, and by promoting relaxation and mental health, can help to counter workplace burnout. In addition, massage therapy is on average the least expensive type of spa treatment, making it relatively accessible compared to pricier options like facials.

how to be smarter with money

Image source: Value Champion

To Maximise Your Benefits, Be Sure To Use The Right Credit Card

You can save on most of these brain-boosting activities by using the proper credit card. Credit cards like Maybank Family & Friends Mastercard offer up to 8% cashback on learning retail, such as with POPULAR Bookstore. You can also earn credit card rewards for online shopping if you purchase books–or a yoga mat–with vendors like Amazon or Lazada. Finally, many cards offer spa-specific discounts as part of their monthly promotion programmes. Visit your card issuer’s web page to review current offers you may be eligible for.

 

Looking to advance your career while getting money-smart at the same time? Let us know if these activities helped you on how to be smarter with money and in general!

This article was first published on ValueChampion and was republished on theAsianparent with permission.
 
Get daily updates about our top stories when you follow us on Telegram at https://t.me/theAsianparentSG.
 
ALSO READ: Can Switching to DIY Manicures Save You S$100s per Year?
Partner Stories
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

ValueChampion

  • Home
  • /
  • Money
  • /
  • 3 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power & Your Wallet
Share:
  • This vitamin can actually boost your child's brain power!

    This vitamin can actually boost your child's brain power!

  • A Basic Guide To Tipping Across The World

    A Basic Guide To Tipping Across The World

  • ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

    ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

  • This vitamin can actually boost your child's brain power!

    This vitamin can actually boost your child's brain power!

  • A Basic Guide To Tipping Across The World

    A Basic Guide To Tipping Across The World

  • ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

    ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

  • Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

    Wife Forgives Husband Who Had Two Affairs And Got A Woman Pregnant

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.