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Smarter Next Year: The Revolutionary Science for a Smarter, Happier You
Contrary to accepted belief, YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR INTELLIGENCE AT ANY AGE ! Smarter Next Year presents the latest scientific evidence for improving your mind and staying healthy at all stages of life. This inspirational book provides simple but eye-opening steps to lead you to a healthier and happier life. This quick 1-hour read written by Dr. David Bardsley will change the way you think about your brain. The insightful brain hacks provided in this book give you a foundation of change for improving your health and mind. The bottom line? GENES DON'T CONTROL YOUR INTELLIGENCE. YOU DO. Your brain ― and every brain ― is constantly evolving and changing. In fact, there are multiple scientifically proven paths to increasing your memory and IQ ― at any age ― through simple life changes. Do you ever struggle to recall something you had just been thinking about moments ago? Or have an idea that was fresh in your mind become clouded before you can take action? Eliminate such issues for good using Dr. David Bardsley's simple 8-step program! No matter your age or cognitive abilities, by applying these scientifically proven tips, you can take steps to become smarter, sharper, and healthier ― NOW!
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
160 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2019
9 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
July 20, 2019
I LOVED this little book. And I do mean little.
It looks like a standard hardcover book, if perhaps a little short at 151 pages, including recommended reading. But -- and this is, surprisingly, not a bad thing -- there's not that much text. This incredibly smartly organized book is interspersed with motivational photos and graphics. It's designed perfectly for the modern, internet-addled, ADD-esque mind of 21st-century adults. Part of the IgniteReads/SimpleTruths imprint, this book and others in the series are designed to be read quickly and to "spark impact in just one hour." For me, it did that!
Basically, it's like a nicely designed magazine in hardcover format. Devoid of the graphic elements, this book would probably work fine as a "longread" in The Atlantic or a similar online magazine. And aside from the well-explained bits of neurobiology and the scientific studies backing the author's advice, there's probably new in the material for anyone who reads about maintaining cognitive capacity, or even those who follow general health trend writing.
The book promises "8 scientific secrets to a younger, sharper mind" and you won't be surprised that it includes things like get more/better sleep, exercise, manage your mental health issues, and so on. But it's HOW it achieves it that really inspires. The author, a maxillofacial surgeon, was diagnosed as borderline "retarded" as a child; in fact, he has Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, and ADHD. He overcame hardships to achieve great things, not the least of which is his ability to write clearly, succinctly, and entertainingly about how to stem the tide of cognitive decline. I have a lifelong antipathy toward exercise, but I pride myself on my cognitive abilities, and this book (unlike any magazine articles or TV shows) inspired me to start working out again, immediately.
Of the eight elements that cause mild cognitive impairment, four don't apply to me, two I'm TERRIBLE at (sleep and exercise), and two are fine, but I could improve. Dr. Bardsley's website includes free resources for testing one's cognitive skills periodically. I like authors who aren't always trying to upsell.
Summary: if you want to keep your mind sharp, if you want some good scientific explanations regarding how and why certain actions will improve your cognitive capacity (but you don't want to feel as if you're trapped in a neurobiology class), and you could use a little quick motivation to make your brain (and your body) healthier, this book is for you.
It looks like a standard hardcover book, if perhaps a little short at 151 pages, including recommended reading. But -- and this is, surprisingly, not a bad thing -- there's not that much text. This incredibly smartly organized book is interspersed with motivational photos and graphics. It's designed perfectly for the modern, internet-addled, ADD-esque mind of 21st-century adults. Part of the IgniteReads/SimpleTruths imprint, this book and others in the series are designed to be read quickly and to "spark impact in just one hour." For me, it did that!
Basically, it's like a nicely designed magazine in hardcover format. Devoid of the graphic elements, this book would probably work fine as a "longread" in The Atlantic or a similar online magazine. And aside from the well-explained bits of neurobiology and the scientific studies backing the author's advice, there's probably new in the material for anyone who reads about maintaining cognitive capacity, or even those who follow general health trend writing.
The book promises "8 scientific secrets to a younger, sharper mind" and you won't be surprised that it includes things like get more/better sleep, exercise, manage your mental health issues, and so on. But it's HOW it achieves it that really inspires. The author, a maxillofacial surgeon, was diagnosed as borderline "retarded" as a child; in fact, he has Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, and ADHD. He overcame hardships to achieve great things, not the least of which is his ability to write clearly, succinctly, and entertainingly about how to stem the tide of cognitive decline. I have a lifelong antipathy toward exercise, but I pride myself on my cognitive abilities, and this book (unlike any magazine articles or TV shows) inspired me to start working out again, immediately.
Of the eight elements that cause mild cognitive impairment, four don't apply to me, two I'm TERRIBLE at (sleep and exercise), and two are fine, but I could improve. Dr. Bardsley's website includes free resources for testing one's cognitive skills periodically. I like authors who aren't always trying to upsell.
Summary: if you want to keep your mind sharp, if you want some good scientific explanations regarding how and why certain actions will improve your cognitive capacity (but you don't want to feel as if you're trapped in a neurobiology class), and you could use a little quick motivation to make your brain (and your body) healthier, this book is for you.
January 22, 2025
This is a great little book. It's quick & easy to read, and it really inspired me to start exercising again, because it convinced me that that's the best way to keep your brain healthy. Did you know that women over age 55 have a 48% chance of developing dementia? That statistic scares the pants off me! But studies show that just 30 minutes of vigorous daily exercise cuts your risk dramatically, because it helps your brain generate new neurons, which helps keep dementia at bay. I really loved this little book. The author has a very inspiring story to tell.
(I got this book at The Dollar Tree.)
(I got this book at The Dollar Tree.)
August 9, 2020
I finished this book in about an hour, thankfully I didn’t waste more time than that. I was absolutely shocked it was written by a physician ... but it was a facial surgeon who is not gifted at writing or research. The advice for a sharper mind was simplistic stuff you’ve heard before (sleep more! Exercise!) along with other statements with no convincing research listed (stay away from toxic substances). I know about medications well and he made many sweeping statements that were ridiculous and wrong. This whole book felt like a fraud.
February 7, 2019
Easy Actions to Increase Brainpower and Stave Off Dementia A.K.A. Neurobiological Advice For Laymen
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This book was a quick, surprisingly easy and engaging read. I had mistakenly identified it as a book to guide my goal-making for the upcoming new year, and I suppose it was, though not in the way I first thought. For a non-fiction book, it is remarkably well-paced and structured; first setting the scene with genuinely interesting (and honestly relatable) anecdotes; then aptly revealing that, yes, your brain power is, in fact, deteriorating; explaining why that is; and giving clear actionable steps as to how you fix it. I was sincerely hooked, and at 100-pages it was easily digestible too.
I picked this up with myself in mind, but read it thinking of my grandmother who’s very worst fear in life is forgetting herself and those she loves. The things outlined in this book weren’t miracles, they were actions she could take! She was thrilled.
Smarter Next Year is obviously not a fix-all, and never claims to be, but the content is well-explained in non-specialist language whilst still giving scientific evidence and context.
I intend to buy my Nanna her own copy, which is high praise since I only pass her books I know won’t waste her time.
I received a copy of this book from Simple Truths via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
This book was a quick, surprisingly easy and engaging read. I had mistakenly identified it as a book to guide my goal-making for the upcoming new year, and I suppose it was, though not in the way I first thought. For a non-fiction book, it is remarkably well-paced and structured; first setting the scene with genuinely interesting (and honestly relatable) anecdotes; then aptly revealing that, yes, your brain power is, in fact, deteriorating; explaining why that is; and giving clear actionable steps as to how you fix it. I was sincerely hooked, and at 100-pages it was easily digestible too.
I picked this up with myself in mind, but read it thinking of my grandmother who’s very worst fear in life is forgetting herself and those she loves. The things outlined in this book weren’t miracles, they were actions she could take! She was thrilled.
Smarter Next Year is obviously not a fix-all, and never claims to be, but the content is well-explained in non-specialist language whilst still giving scientific evidence and context.
I intend to buy my Nanna her own copy, which is high praise since I only pass her books I know won’t waste her time.
I received a copy of this book from Simple Truths via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2019
Students: "The best way to transfer the information you are studying into long-term memory is to go to sleep immediately after studying."
Exercise: "Psychiatrists have understood this for decades. You would be hard-pressed to find a psychiatrist anywhere who would not tell you that if they could just get their patients to engage in daily vigorous physical activity that probably 70% of them could do away with the medications altogether, and the other 30% could probably cut their medication in half."
Exercise: "Elevated heart rate muscle is just an indication that our skeletal muscles are working hard enough. When the skeletal muscles are being stressed, they release a hormone called insulin-like growth factor (ILGF) into the bloodstream, which then passes the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the brain cells to release more DBNF - the fertilizer for the stem cells."
Morning exercise: "I try to exercise first thing in the morning because I want my neurotransmitters to be elevated to their peak levels during the day when I am using my brain more actively and when my mood and attitude matter the most."
Exercise: "Psychiatrists have understood this for decades. You would be hard-pressed to find a psychiatrist anywhere who would not tell you that if they could just get their patients to engage in daily vigorous physical activity that probably 70% of them could do away with the medications altogether, and the other 30% could probably cut their medication in half."
Exercise: "Elevated heart rate muscle is just an indication that our skeletal muscles are working hard enough. When the skeletal muscles are being stressed, they release a hormone called insulin-like growth factor (ILGF) into the bloodstream, which then passes the blood-brain barrier and stimulates the brain cells to release more DBNF - the fertilizer for the stem cells."
Morning exercise: "I try to exercise first thing in the morning because I want my neurotransmitters to be elevated to their peak levels during the day when I am using my brain more actively and when my mood and attitude matter the most."
May 3, 2019
Picked up this gem at my library and fell in love. This book is from Ignite Reads - books to be read in an hour or less. It’s concise and gets straight to the point. Perhaps it under simplified the science but most folks won’t want a biochemistry lesson. My favorite part was the conclusion because it summarized the 8 steps to make you smarter. I won’t give anything away but they are simple and provide a clear path for moving forward. For interested parties, there’s a list of references at the end - many of which are peer-reviewed studies. (Peer-reviewed generally equates to higher-quality.) 4 stars from me!
May 26, 2021
I read this because it was on the Ignite Reads list and borrowed it from NYPL. I didn't bother to download it as it was short and I could read it directly in the browser. The author has done amazingly well despite of his disabilities (and misdiagnose). The book covers some good best practices to remain healthy and keep the mind in good shape. I full agree with the principles. The book is more a a concise summary than a detailed explanation as why the 8 principles work. The main principles include sleeping, eating, exercising and staying clear of things that can harm you.
September 1, 2019
Quick read; bottom line is this: you can grow new brain cells at any stage of life, if...
If you get enough sleep, eliminate toxic exposure, make mental health a business, assess the drugs you take to get rid of side effects that impact cell function, eat real food, limit alcohol consumption, protect your head during activity, and stay active (do aerobic, anaerobic, and strength exercises daily; vary your environment).
If you get enough sleep, eliminate toxic exposure, make mental health a business, assess the drugs you take to get rid of side effects that impact cell function, eat real food, limit alcohol consumption, protect your head during activity, and stay active (do aerobic, anaerobic, and strength exercises daily; vary your environment).
April 7, 2019
Very basic, but a great quick read. I really hope it inspires others to make exercise a priority.
Helpful to know that he offers a free cognitive abilities self-test on his website. I really like that he promoted the use of protecctive gear for your brain (so often overlooked) and encouraged vitamin B12 testing to supplement if low due to proton pump inhibitors.
Helpful to know that he offers a free cognitive abilities self-test on his website. I really like that he promoted the use of protecctive gear for your brain (so often overlooked) and encouraged vitamin B12 testing to supplement if low due to proton pump inhibitors.
June 4, 2019
An information dense, interesting book for those who want to improve their mental capacity, just a little bit. This is not a book for someone who is trying to increase memory, due to performance needs, no, it is a lot gentler than that. Very practical.
November 28, 2018
eARC#netgalkey#smarternextyear
This small handbook by retired dentist is an effort to underline that our intelligence is not fixed and it can be modulated.
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Author himself had learning difficulties in childhood but he fought through them.
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Writing is lovely and engaging and pictures are awesome. Author throws light on new developments in field of cognition and there is section detailing basic concepts of cognition.
.
Various causes of decreased cognition and their remedies are discussed beautifully. Concepts are easily understandable and non complicated.
It is a pacy read which can be finished in single sitting.
.
What I didn't like was a little bit repitition and few boring details like scientific study details.
.
Overall nice read and teaches you few things about intelligence and human brain.
My rating 3.5/5
This small handbook by retired dentist is an effort to underline that our intelligence is not fixed and it can be modulated.
.
Author himself had learning difficulties in childhood but he fought through them.
.
Writing is lovely and engaging and pictures are awesome. Author throws light on new developments in field of cognition and there is section detailing basic concepts of cognition.
.
Various causes of decreased cognition and their remedies are discussed beautifully. Concepts are easily understandable and non complicated.
It is a pacy read which can be finished in single sitting.
.
What I didn't like was a little bit repitition and few boring details like scientific study details.
.
Overall nice read and teaches you few things about intelligence and human brain.
My rating 3.5/5
July 31, 2019
I really enjoyed the Enthusiasm and passion with which this book was written. I also liked the layout and the simplicity of it. So many books of this kind go into laborious detail which is not always necessary to get to the nub of the matter. However, his failure to mention brain games Brain HQ and Lumosity is a huge gap in the ability to grow smarter next year. This would not be the single book I would want to recommend to someone just beginning to look into the subject.
August 21, 2019
You can speed-read it in an hour. It is great in that it does not have any filler. The author gets right to the point. But 99% of this information should be known to most people by now: get adequate sleep, take vitamins, avoid stress, meditate, avoid toxins in the house and at the workplace, and get 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day.
February 3, 2024
What a great quick read about how to keep your brain healthy. All good tips without the medical jargon that can be cumbersome. In this day and age we all need to take care of our brains better as we are living longer and need to be contributing members of society longer. I think most of the suggestions in the book with also benefit other parts of the body as well as the brain.
March 30, 2023
I found this book while flying. It caught me and I could not stop. As soon as I arrived home I ordered the book. Just some great self-help tips. Quick little read and you will benefit from reading this again and again! You will find yourself passing on the tips!
Read
July 7, 2023This little book provided some brilliant common-sense recommendations. Sometimes it helps when we understand the science of the brain and how we. can make minor changes that will improve our lives. I recommend this book to all interested in improving their level of happiness!
February 19, 2025
This was a great, quick read that provides some education on things people can do to protect their brains and improve their mental cognitive health. It is written in a way such that almost any aged reader can understand and enjoy it. I would recommend this book.
February 14, 2019
Nothing new.
April 23, 2019
So-so.
November 27, 2019
Very very quick read, a few hours! All it really says is to exercise!
December 17, 2019
Practical and doable advice on ways to maintain cognitive abilities as you age.
January 5, 2020
A really quick read. Most of the information I found pretty obvious, but still worth the reminder. Time to go out and get some exercise!
January 14, 2020
Good little book of solid info for better brain health. Read that again.
January 20, 2020
not so much a book as an extensive pamphlet. Sound advice but nothing new or overly inspiring.
March 18, 2020
Dr Bardsley writes about a complex topic with simplicity and ellequance. This is a must read for everyone!
April 25, 2020
The title described the book pretty well.
July 13, 2020
Quick read, good reminders for life
August 2, 2021
Concise short chapters with useful information summarized. An inspiring story as well.
August 29, 2021
This book in a nutshell: exercise every day, else you'll be a big old dummy.
August 21, 2022
This is my first non fiction book ever . And I absolutely loved it . It was so informative and gave me so much knowledge . Def a 5 star read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews