4 GREAT WAYS TO RETRAIN YOUR BRAIN
Welcome to the New Year everyone. As we say goodbye to 2023, we all look forward to a brand new, bright, and better year filled with hope, healing and a wealth of promise and possibilities.
If you’re like me, you probably spent a little time during the last few weeks making a list of things you want to change, improve, eliminate, or add in 2024. But New Year resolutions are not as easy to keep as they are to write down.
This is because we’re creatures of habit. And old habits are hard to break. We’ve all heard the expression, “If you want things to be different, you have to do things differently.” But, before we can do things differently, we need to think differently. And before we can do that, it’s helpful to understand how our brain works.
When we have a particular thought, the brain creates a neural pathway from point A to point D. When we have the same thought again, the brain sends its neural impulse down the same pathway. And, when we have the same thought again, the brain again sends its neural impulse down the same pathway. This pathway essentially becomes a rut. And, once in a rut it’s hard to get out.
The good news is that we have the power to change the way our brain works and the way we think. It’s called NEUROPLASTICITY — a term that refers to the brain’s potential to reorganize itself by creating new neural pathways when faced with new stimuli. This means we can rewire our brain or retrain our brain. And this means we can change a bad habit, learn a new behavior, or begin to think of an old situation in a whole new light.
Each time you force yourself to think in a new way you are forcing your brain to create new pathways of thought. By simply challenging your brain with new information it will begin to develop new ways of thinking.
And here are 4 EASY WAYS to get you started.
BEGIN YOUR DAY WITH A POSITIVE AFFIRMATION
“I am strong.” “I am capable.” “Today is going to be a great day.” By doing this, you signal your brain to automatically think in a more positive and productive way.
DO YOUR MORNING TASKS DIFFERENTLY
If you make phone calls before you get dressed, get dressed first and then make your calls. If you normally shower first and enjoy coffee after, try having coffee first and then showering.
CHANGE YOUR DAILY ROUTINE
Mix up your schedule. Instead of walking in the morning, try walking in the afternoon. Instead of working in the yard before lunch, do your yard work after lunch. Instead of taking your dog out in the evening, why not do it in the morning?
LEARN ONE NEW THING EACH DAY
Do you want to learn a new language? Go online and do it! Do you want to cook that new treat for your family? Get in the kitchen and roll up your sleeves! Do you want to learn how to grow orchids? Pick up a book and educate yourself! Learning one new thing a day will keep your brain challenged and flexible.
The beauty of neuroplasticity and retraining our brain is that small, simple steps can lead to big changes in the overall quality of our thoughts and the effectiveness of our actions.
So, no matter what your resolutions may be for the New Year, simple tips will get your brain moving in the right direction – and will allow you to turn your 2024 resolutions into reality.
Thanks again for joining me everyone. I wish you a New Year filled with all the wonderful things you so richly deserve. Until next time, stay safe, stay in GOOD HEALTH and . . .
TAKE THE COURSE AND TAKE CHARGE!
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