Daniel Levitin Quotes

I really love the category on the site called Brain Massage.

Maybe if we lie down our brains will work.

A few moments of inner peace and quiet allows the brain to reset itself. You become more centered as this happens, since the brain is clearing out distractions and too much "cross talk."

Most of the people don't know that one of the great qualities of caffeine is it allows you to absorb nutrients, and it does it quickly, and so when it does it quickly, you focus, and when you focus, you think you have energy.

When I'm feeling a little empty in the head, I like to go see movies or read to loosen things up there.

Research has shown that time pressure leads to tunnel vision and that people think more creatively when they are calm, unhurried and free from stress and distractions. We all know this from experience.

I relax completely when I'm at rest. I don't think of numbers; I don't think of work.

Exercise is the chief source of improvement in our faculties.

The belief of our Reason is an Exercise of Faith, and Faith is an Act of Reason.

I try not to think about anything special while running. As a matter of fact, I usually run with my mind empty. However, when I run empty-minded, something naturally and abruptly crawls in sometime. That might become an idea that can help me with my writing.

If you cannot concentrate, you are not so happy.

I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells.

It's very important that we re-learn the art of resting and relaxing. Not only does it help prevent the onset of many illnesses that develop through chronic tension and worrying; it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.

My mind tends to operate a bit like a radar. I don't find it hard to switch off.

Leary can get a part of my mind that's kind of rusted shut grinding again, just by being around him and talking.

I've never known any trouble than an hour's reading didn't assuage.

For some reason, chewing gum for me gets my brain going.

Writing has nothing to do with communication between person and person, only with communication between different parts of a person's mind.

I'm quite a cerebral person. Often I feel quite stuck in that.

Smart vacations lead to greater happiness and energy at work and, therefore, greater productivity, intelligence, and resilience.

It's great having time to just sit back and work through things in my mind. It helps put life into perspective.

I've always loved to paint - I was studying to do an art degree when I was approached to become a model - and I've being doing some design work as well. I also love just having a quiet time, sitting in my little library at home in Brooklyn and reading or watching documentaries or listening to music.

I find the ball, and I think, 'Where's the ball going, and where do I need to go?' It just puts me back in the game, and it's the simplest thing, but it's become sort of like my soccer mantra. I simply use the ball as my focus point and move back into position, and the distracting thoughts disappear, and I'm right back in the game.

I play chess with the computer when I feel dull in my mind and after two games - 'out or win', I feel sharp again.

When I first got sober, I hadn't read anything for six or seven years. I didn't have even that much focus.