The second half of the day is upon us at that 11:15am time. Obviously the post-lunch lull can grab hold of us and make it difficult to make it through the day. Everyone is in pursuit of optimal performance and health throughout the day. The key is cognitive function. Did you know there are very simple steps you can take to bolster your brain power as well. In an age where attention is the new limited resource, optimizing the brain is as critical as ever. Here are 5 easy ways to do just that before lunch. 

Drink Green Tea: Many studies have shown that popular beverage actually boosts working memory. It also is the most common source of a nutrient called L-theanine, a potent nootropic studied for the potential ability to reduce mental and physical stress without sedation and improve cognition. It also works in sync with caffeine working to boost mood and cognitive performance. 

Pour yourself a cup of black coffee: One study showed individuals who consumed the most coffee were found to have the lowest risk of developing dementia later in life. An antioxidant-filled beverage has also been shown to significantly reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in the U.S.

Add grass-fed butter and coconut oil to your diet: This is a great add to coffee and many savory and sweet dishes. In combination, this is a powerful and healthy way to eat. Fat is good for the brain and particularly the kind of fat found in coconut oil. The medium chain trighlycerides provide ketones to the brain, which is a cleaner burning and more efficient fuel source than glucose. 

Definitely Take The Stairs

Aerobic exercise can actually reverse age-related hippocampal volume loss (the hippocampus is known as the brain’s memory c