how can we get our brains to function more effectively?

Answer 1

When we are born, we have too many axons on our neurons. While a baby is learning to walk or eat, they are not doing so because they are "building" a set of skills. Yes, the connection between more frequently used neurons becomes stronger, but on the whole the axons that are not being used wither and go away, so that the "random" firing of unnecessary axons does not trigger neuron response.

Long walk for a short drink, what it means is this:
1) If you don't use it, you loose it...if you fail to stimulate your brain you actually become more stupid as time goes on.
2) If you don't need to, don't bother...if you spend your time developing "useless" talents then those are the ones that you'll have a greater inclination for rather than more useful ones (such as a young girl learning more about make-up than study skills who then does poorly in school...seems obvious but it still happens all the time.)

Answer 2

Practice, practice, practice!
One way to increase brain efficiency is to exercise its various functions. Learning a skill that you is very different from anything you have done before is one way. By sticking only to things we do well we end up exercising the same brain cells and limit the amount of the brain that we use.
Some memory functions have been found to improve by doing crossword puzzles. It increases the flexibility or word access and our ability to access memories.
Meditation improves concentration and the ability to focus your attention and control mental functioning.

Answer 3

meditation helps and tv does exactly the opposite