Did you know that just 12 minutes a day of meditation can help stave off Alzheimer's disease, lower levels of depression and make you smarter? All you need to do to start meditating is find a quiet place free from distractions, sit upright and breathe. Pay attention to the way your breath comes in and out and gently bring your attention back to your breath when you're distracted. Your brain will love you for it!

More on the magic of meditation:

• A Makeover for Your Mind
• Meditation, Military Style
• Meditation for People Who Don't Like to Meditate

How long is your to-do list? Most people's lists are way too long. Then the pressure is so enormous that we often feel overwhelmed and ultimately bad about ourselves when we don't get it all done, explains Allyson Lewis, author of The 7 Minute Solution. Her strategy? The "5 before 11 list." Think of five things you want to accomplish before 11 am. Knowing that you need to complete only five small tasks spurs you on to get started. And when you've completed them, you have a feeling of accomplishment that's invigorating—a great way to energize your day.

More articles on how to maximize your energy:

• Why Your Not-To-Do List Is More Important Than Your To-Do List
• Don't Let Chaos Steal Your Energy—The Three-Step, Three-Day Solution
• Are You Addicted to Work? Take the Quiz!

Some of the greatest books ever written are now read mainly by high school students too young to appreciate them. The classics are often more enjoyable and more meaningful as we get older. And they’re typically available for eReaders for free or at very low prices. Some of the best: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain…The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton…The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald…Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin…A Separate Peace by John Knowles…and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Happy reading!

Green tea is known for its cardiovascular benefits, but now researchers have found that a key chemical in green tea also can help boost memory and spatial learning. So…for an afternoon brain boost, sip a cup of green tea and sharpen your focus. Added benefit: It’s delicious.