Time For Change

I'm really enjoying the things I'm learning about the brain. =)

Did you know there are two main ways to increase synaptic connections in the brain?
1) learn new things
2) have new experiences

This is very important if we want to keep our brain changing for the better and avoid the deepening of certain pathways that turn into "ruts".

If you think about it, you'll probably realize that you do a lot of the same things every day. Wake up at the same time, eat the same foods, do the same exercises, etc. If you want to continually promote healthy change in your brain, you can start by changing your routines.

For instance,
- rearrange your furniture from time to time
- drive a different route to work or to the store
- vary your personal care routine (ex: brush teeth before getting a shower, or vice versa)
- wear different color combinations than you usually do
- eat with your non-dominant hand or use a spoon instead of a fork
etc.

These little changes will help your brain be more open to changing in the areas you want to transform - whether that's eating habits, exercises, anxious thoughts, Scripture memory, etc.

Also, "increasing synaptic connections" (which is vital for brain health) is not as hard as it might sound. To learn or experience new things you don't have to go back to college or travel overseas. Start small =)

For instance,
- try new foods
- listen to different music
- read a book or magazine about something you don't know much about (photography, cars, horses, etc.)
- make a new friend
- try new activities as you have opportunity
- stop and really notice your environment...what do you see, smell, hear, taste, touch?

These are small things we can do day by day that will gradually add up to ongoing, healthy change in the brain.

So tell your brain it's time for change! And have fun with it. =)