What exactly do you want to improve your reflexes for? If it’s for a specific sport, then you’re off to a good start. Maybe you want to be the star goalkeeper who saves every penalty, or maybe you’ve taken up boxing and prefer not to get punched in the face. The more specific the action, the better. Reflexes are usually an involuntary reaction, so you need to develop your muscle memory and make these reactions second nature. If you don’t put in the work, you won’t see any results.
Which sports have the best effect on the heart?
2. RELAX
Reaction time will always be slower if you are too tense. Stiff muscles move more slowly. If you’re new to sparring in a combat sport, the one piece of advice you’ll get over and over again is to relax, which can be extremely difficult when you’re starting out. The goal of the game is to stay relaxed but alert. Maybe that means taking some time to meditate, focus on your breathing, or practice mindfulness. A 2010 study found that meditation helped people perform better on a reaction time task.
3. EAT LOTS OF SPINACH AND EGGS
Or so say experts on the subject. They found that participants who had recently consumed tyrosine, which is found in spinach and eggs, performed better on a reaction time task than those who had not.
Several reasons to eat spinach more often
4. PLAY MORE VIDEO GAMES (NO, REALLY)
As ridiculous as it sounds, video games can help your reaction time. A study finds that action video games help people make the right decisions faster. In addition, they develop a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings.
5. USE A PENNY
You can use your coins to speed up your reflexes. Extend your hand, palm down, and place a coin on your knuckles. With an outstretched hand, toss the coin up and then try to catch it in the same hand. If this is too easy, try adding more coins to raise the stake.
Video games also have positive sides
6. BALL GAME
Another invaluable and inexpensive tool used to improve reflexes is the humble tennis ball. If you don’t have one, any bouncy ball will do. All you need is a surface to throw the ball against, with the goal being to catch it before it hits the ground. You can also ask a friend to throw it at you while you practice dodging – it’s up to you to pick a friend you’re on good terms with.
7. MAKE SURE YOU GET ENOUGH SLEEP
Lack of sleep can have a huge impact on reflexes and split-second decision-making. Researchers have found that lack of sleep can make you almost as sluggish as a few alcoholic drinks, so make sure you get your eight hours a night.
