9 small lifestyle changes you can make to get smarter

Water isn't just good for your physical health; it's essential for keeping your brain sharp.

"Your brain comprises a massive 80% water, so to stay alert with good mental clarity, you should be sipping water steadily throughout the day," Mead said. "Dehydration is one of the leading causes of fatigue, and water is a hugely underestimated brain booster."

As well as drinking plenty of water, Mead recommends eating more "juicy" foods that are full of water like tomatoes, watermelon, lettuce, spinach, and cucumber.

"Your brain is like a muscle; you need to work it regularly to keep it fit," Mead said. "Games and puzzles such as Sudoku, crosswords, maths puzzles and board games give your brain some exercise, and help to keep it sharp."

Games and puzzles help stimulate brain activity, thinking, and memory, Mead explained. They're also known to improve cognitive function in older people.

Exercise can be hugely beneficial not only to your body but also to your brain.

"Being physically fit means that you have good heart and lung capacity and ensures that your brain gets plenty of oxygen, improving brain function," Mead said. "Regular exercise may also help to improve memory and cognitive function in older adults."

The findings of a recent study published in The Journal of Physiology — which tested the neurological impact of different types of exercises on rats — suggested that aerobic exercises like running are best for improving brain health.

"Reading regularly improves memory function by giving your brain a good work out, and also increases knowledge," Mead said.

She recommends reading a broad range of literature to challenge the brain: "The vaster and varied the reading material the better."

"Long-term meditation may strengthen the connections between brain cells, and this is linked to faster processing of information," Mead explained. "Meditating regularly has also been shown to increase the amount of grey matter in the brain. Grey matter is associated with emotional stability, ability to deal with stress, and intelligence."

Meditating can also help lower levels of IL-6, a stress-linked substance in the brain that can lead to inflammation and potentially future health problems.

Learning to play a musical instrument can help boost your memory and sharpen your concentration.

"There is growing evidence that musicians have structurally and functionally different brains compared with non-musicians," Mead said. "In particular, the areas of the brain that control motor skills, hearing, storing audio information and memory."

Practicing regularly can also help you to become more patient and determined while improving your concentration, according to Mead.

Switching your tea order from English breakfast to green tea could boost your brain's cognitive function.

Mead pointed to a 2014 study published in Psychopharmacology, which "found that participants who regularly consumed green tea extract showed increased connectivity between certain areas of the brain, correlating with improved performance on working memory tasks compared to placebo."

Getting enough sleep is crucial to your brain's health.

"Poor sleep can negatively impact on memory recall, affect everyday thought processes, and lessen your body’s ability to cope with stress," Mead said.

Your brain consolidates memories and processes information while you sleep, she explained. Ensuring that you get a good amount of sleep means you can "learn and function effectively throughout the daytime."