Final answer:
The most straightforward approach to sharpening the mind is through meditation, which can positively affect cognitive processes. This can be complemented with mental exercises like doing calculations in the head.
Step-by-step explanation:
The simplest, most straightforward approach to sharpening your mind is to meditate. Research suggests that cognitive processes, such as learning, may be affected by meditation, as it helps in maintaining an alert mind and a calm body. The practice of meditation often includes sitting upright on a comfortable chair with feet on the ground, being in a quiet environment with eyes closed, repeating a mantra, and focusing on pleasant thoughts. Further exercises to enhance mental capacity include doing math in the head and striving to internalize and own important facts and concepts, reducing the need to rely on technology to form full thoughts.