There is no denying that the world is changing ever faster. What you spend time on figuring out yesterday seems far less relevant today, let alone tomorrow. This goes for our personal technology, but it is also affecting the work environment. There appears to be a need to learn, even more than before continuously. The reality is that we are living in an always-connected, always-on society with so much data available that we have reached the limits of the average human can handle.

A newer generation seems to be thriving in this environment. Being able to juggle a multitude of devices and/or apps without missing a beat. It does seem at times that the attention span is shorter, which could mean that the new technology might not be the golden standard.

What is evident in all this is that we need to make sure our brain is in the best shape possible to deal with all benefits and challenges of this new, always-on and interconnected world. Here are a few tips to help you achieve that.

You must keep learning and stay hungry for new knowledge. Learn your french alphabet, learn why scientists might use a filter plate, think about global warming and the economy.

It is pretty much self-evident that this now a necessity. This does not mean you have to hit the books again and relive those days in school benches. It simply means you should challenge yourself to learn something new, at least one new thing every month. Read a book, learn to dance, do crossword puzzles. Be hungry for something new to make sure the brain keeps creating new pathways. Try to use all your senses when learning. The more senses you use, the more effective the brain will be in creating new pathways.

Make sure you eat well and keep exercising. In a business context, that means you should avoid going for a quick bite of fast food. Choose healthy options such as salads, fatty fish and fruit. Speaking of sugar, if you are experiencing extreme high bursts of energy and extreme lows, it might be worthwhile looking into cutting sugar from your diet gradually.

In terms of exercise, mix up the cardio exercises with yoga and give meditation a try. It’s important to train not only the body but also the mind. Physical activity enhances someone’s cognitive function.

Finally, make sure you get enough sleep. There has been plenty written on if less sleep helps or hurts people, but the consensus now seems to be that, although there will be exceptions, people will need more than just 4 to 5 hours sleep a night to function well. To keep your brain in optimum condition, make sure to get enough sleep.

So, keep hungry for new knowledge, eat healthily and avoid too much sugar, exercise both mind and body and get plenty of sleep. Those are the key elements for keeping your mind in the best condition to ensure you can deal with whatever the future throws at you.