He has a list of tips on boosting your brain power on the yahoo site. Useful tips include doing some brain exercises like puzzles and memorizing items in a list; getting enough sleep (and grabbing a power nap) and exercise; eating the right foods; brewing your own herbs; and drinking green tea every day (I’ve got mine right here! )

I would add to the list the fermented foods like natto and miso. What do you do to keep your brain healthy?

3rd-Year Students Cook a Healthy Dinner!, originally uploaded by technicle.

For the second time since I arrived, the Food and Health students invited me to a meal. The first time, the second-year students invited me, and it was free. This time it was the third-year students, and they charged ¥300.

There was plate of cold, sliced pork with tomatoes, wakame, and cucumber; a small, but plentiful portion of rice; miso soup; a soy bean dish; and a jelly desert made of oranges. The menu said it was 667 calories. Nice job!

It seems that you want to aim for the end of your REM stage to wake up, before the deep sleep kicks in. Apparently, if you get the timing right, you can get it down to as little 15 minutes to get the most benefit. Check out the post and try it for yourself.