The word “thinking” shows up here a lot. Your brain and its hundred billion neurons are where all your thinking happens. Connected at a million billion places (at synapses), your brain is at the center of everything you do.

Better Thinking is also about building a better brain. Here are three things you can do to love your brain.

1. Exercise. Benefits: Regular aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, your most energy intensive organ. Increased blood flow gives the brain more oxygen and glucose to run on. Exercise helps the brain generate new neurons and increases production of gluthaione (an important antioxidant).

Exercise reduces the likelihood of depression and increases your ability to focus your attention. Action: 3/30. Get a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three times a week. Daily exercise is even better, but your brain will benefit from 3/30. Controlled studies have shown improved cognition in adults and children with regular exercise.

2. Sleep. Benefits: If the human animal stops sleeping, it dies. Getting enough sleep will improve your memory, mood, ability to focus, and overall health. Sleep is not wasted time. Sleep is part of your learning process; your brain integrates what you’ve experienced during the day while you sleep. Action: Find ways to get your 7 or 8 hours of sleep. Take a 45 to 75 minute nap about 12 hours after the midpoint in your last night’s sleep.

3. Eat Well. Benefits: A balanced diet will give you more energy and better focus. Your brain will have access to everything it needs to build neurons and to protect itself from damage. A balanced diet also helps your mood and ability to cope with stress. Action: Eat the rainbow—enjoy a variety of vegetables. Have fish once or twice a week. Eat red meat sparingly. Take a multivitamin.