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Natalia Ramsden, an organisational psychologist turned executive coach, founded Sofos Associates as a way of helping clients to do exactly that. Combining new developments in neuroscience with her own clinical and consulting experience, the business describes its mission as enhancing executive performance through cognitive excellence.

So can Sofos Associates really help you to get ahead at work, just by re-training your brain with a few simple exercises and techniques? Traditionally, if an employee wanted to develop skills, their HR department would have sent them off on a leadership programme of some kind, says Ramsden, but I wanted to offer something more empirical and scientific. I see a lot of clients who realise that as working individuals, their brain is their asset and they want to invest in it as a long-term strategy.

Sofos Associates approach is tailored to the individual, with possible solutions including advice on nutrition, exercise and sleep, personalised coaching, and access to cutting-edge techniques such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, laser treatments and biohacking. Progress is measured through a mix of quantitative data brainwave measurements, heart rate, vitamin levels and qualitative feedback.

I had a client come to me and say that he used to feel so burnt out by Friday afternoon that hed be asleep in an armchair by the time dinner was ready, but since working with us, he's had the stamina to have a proper meal and a conversation with his wife, says Ramsden. That kind of anecdotal evidence means a lot to me.

You don't have to sign up to a course of treatment to start training your brain, however there are easy exercises you can undertake that will kick-start a rethink. Here, Ramsden shares her five top tips:

When you go to sleep at night, spend one to five minutes thinking through your day and try to remember how it played out, step by step. This is great for developing your sense of gratitude, but its also a way of exercising your memory muscle.

Simple activities such as brushing your teeth with your left hand (assuming youre right-handed) have been found to boost neuroplasticity. Its about looking for novelty, so that you can stop your brain from going into autopilot mode.

I'm a huge advocate for good-quality sleep all the research shows it has positive effects on your mood, as well as on health and longevity.

The goal is to move to a more conscious way of living. Its easy to get into the habit of thinking we can sit at our desks all day long and then work out at high intensity for an hour. Consider whether there are gentler approaches to build movement into your day, such as going for a walk while taking a work call.

Challenge yourself to sit and eat peacefully in the park or at a table, rather than just grabbing a sandwich to have at your laptop.

For more information or to book a complimentary consultation, contact Natalia Ramsden at natalia@sofosassociates.com.

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How to train your brain for success at work - Harper's Bazaar UK