Solar power isn't just a smart move in the home. It's a smart move for your head, too.

So step outside and power up your brain. Research shows that a proper amount of the sunshine vitamin (that's D, for short) in your system may help you think faster.

D for deduction
In a study of older European men, those with low levels of vitamin D in their blood did worse on a mental processing test that required quick thinking. Researchers aren't sure how vitamin D helps the brain to process information, but they think that it might help certain neuroprotective pathways. 

Sun smarts
Of course, in this era of ever-growing skin cancer rates, you still want to be smart about the sun, so don't overdo it. Most people can get enough vitamin D with about 10 or 15 minutes of sun exposure twice a week without sunscreen. Or find some vitamin D food sources and skip the sun. Here are some other, sun-free ways to rev up your cognitive skills:

• Eat your veggies. 
• Have a walk-along. 
• Be a kid.