I'm a neuroscientist and triathlete—I've been doing 6 simple things every day to keep my brain mentally sharp

In high-performance environments, mental resilience is a competitive advantage.

In my work as a neuroscientist, as the parent of two young children, and in my athletic endeavors — ballet, yoga, five triathlons and two half-marathons and counting — this is something that I constantly think about.

All of these experiences have taught me that I can’t simply grind my way into a sharp mind. But I can build it by returning to the same simple practices, day after day.

Here’s what that looks like in my daily routine.

Unstructured time is one of the most underrated contributors to mental sharpness. It’s hard to prioritize when you have a full schedule, but it’s essential.