Your brain has tremendous power to adapt and reorganize. This flexibility will allow you to approach everyday challenges with greater flexibility, such as enhancing your skills or improving your mental well-being. Do you want to know where to start?
You are plastic, changeable and transformative. No, this is not a self-help phrase or an advertising phrase. Each of us is building and shaping our brain every day; Even in this moment. Everything we do and interact with our environment is translated into a series of chemical reactions in the neural universe.
These reactions set off a chain of protein synthesis that favors synapses and, with them, the survival of a greater number of our neurons. Our mind is plastic because we have a mind capable of change and of which we are the authentic architects. If our evolution allowed us to develop self-awareness, it was also for something very concrete.
We are the only species that is aware that it can shape and work on itself in order to better ourselves, achieve well-being and achieve our objectives. To awaken this transformative power, we need to understand the concept of neuroplasticity. We are engrossed in this idea.
Patients who have suffered a stroke are an example of the power of brain plasticity. Damaged parts of the brain may find other ways to connect to continue some of the functions and functions that were previously lost.
What is plastic mind?
A plastic mind is a mental attitude that invests in new learning to ensure flexibility, agility, and well-being., That entity is the manifestation of a brain that can adapt to changes and even heal itself after trauma or reduce potential sequelae.
This concept is a cornerstone within neuroscience itself. And its impact is immense. For example, research from the University of Pablo de Olavide in Seville shows that the concept of neuroplasticity goes beyond the scientific realm to contribute to the well-being of society.
This allows us to understand the value of learning, cognitive training, and therapies for the treatment of brain injuries and even mental health. He hardware The brain we are born with is not fixed or unchanging, it is plastic; That is, it can transform and reconnect in new ways to enhance and recover its functionality.
Although the brain cannot create new neural tissue, it can be wired in other ways to transmit information and create new connections that optimize our functions.
How can we ignite that transformative power?
Even if we don’t realize it, we are shaping or destroying our plastic brains every day, Different types of neurons are involved in this adaptation or destruction process, such as glial and vascular cells. Our life habits are what orchestrate more plastic brains or less abilities to respond to change or challenges.
On the other hand, it should be noted that although we have a very flexible brain, there are areas that are not so flexible. Suffering from a traumatic effect or a neurovascular accident in areas related to speech or movement will render some functions not 100% recoverable. Progress may be made and some degree of rehabilitation may occur, but at this time the treatments do not lead to a complete cure.
Beyond these situations, training plastic brains may allow us to adapt our cognitive functions to develop better resistance to multiple psychological disorders.
Let’s take a look below at which processes can ignite that transformative power.
1. Brain Stimulation Is Within Your Reach
No matter what your age, you always have time to adapt your brain functions and, with them, neuroplasticity. There are an infinite number of functions that will mediate the creation of new synapses in shaping a more connected brain. Here are some very simple examples to achieve this:
- learn a new language.
- Learn to play a musical instrument.
- Read everything you can, open up new mental perspectives, discover new concepts.
- Start a new artistic activity: drawing, painting, dancing…
- Travel, there is no better experience than this to enrich your mind.
2. A good night’s rest is healthy for your brain
Without a good night’s rest, your brain won’t be able to perform essential functions. For its proper functioning, balance and health. Far from favoring new synapses, you will be destroying many connections and preventing new learning from taking hold.
Try to sleep between 7 and 9 hours a day, follow the same schedule for this and disconnect all electronic devices two hours before bedtime.
3. Manage Stress Properly
No one will be able to develop a good plastic mind if stress is a daily presence in their lives., Realizing how external pressures exceed our abilities and resources weakens us and keeps us in a constant state of distress. This constant presence of cortisol acts in vitriolic ways for our neurons and brain health.
The first person to propose the idea was William James that the brain was not as immutable as was believed. He suggested this in his book “The Principles of Psychology” in 1890.
4. Benefits of physical exercise
We cannot ignore the great benefits that sports have for brain functions. Not only does it reduce the destruction of neurons associated with the passage of time, but regular physical activity favors the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
Let’s do it Let’s look for the activity that best suits our characteristics And move the body to promote neuroplasticity.
5. Rich Social Relations
Loneliness is another horseman of the apocalypse for brain health. We are social creatures who crave connection with our mates, who need to share ideas, dreams, needs…
simultaneously, Some experiences are more stimulating than conversation, To learn from other people and to receive that psycho-emotional stimulation that is so essential for our survival.
6. Meditation, an Enriching Channel for Your Brain
It is true that not everyone is able to adopt or integrate the practice of meditation into their daily lives. Although conscious stands as the resource that indicates, as a function of the University of Naples, Reduces brain degeneration and optimizes neuroplasticity itself.
7. Psychological therapy
Psychological therapy is an invaluable tool for building a plastic mind. We may not delve into this aspect, but clinical intervention is still aimed at helping people build more resilient mental attitudes, including re-evaluating and unlearning irrational and self-defeating thought patterns.
Thinking well can help us lead a better life and for this purpose, science-based psychological therapies have great potential.
conclusion
“Organic matter, especially nervous tissue, appears to be endowed with an extraordinary degree of plasticity.” This phrase was uttered by a psychologist of great relevance in our history. He was William James, the year was 1890 and the truth is that no one gave importance or veracity to his statement.
It took us more than a century to understand that this proposition was as true as it was necessary to improve the quality of our lives. We can all, within our capabilities, favor a plastic mind. Doing so would bring back the infinite parts of our being that would guarantee our well-being.
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