This is a simple and user friendly way of getting the message across to us all and much appreciated.
A premiere Building block is Brain Gym(r) , a series of Brain based physical exercises. We now know that this increases neuro-plasticity in a helpful way as Brain Gym calms the Limbic system (Amygdala which is on guard for danger) and strengthens the commissure pathways, those 'super highways' between the different parts of the brain.
This allows for: better focus, balanced behaviours and organisation of thought. This in turn enables creativity and 'adult' expression say we can access our lives in a 'responsive rather than 'reactive' way as we may do when stressed, so we can ‘say hello again’. Just one way of using this helpful research for our clients. .....
A premiere Building block is Brain Gym(r) , a series of Brain based physical exercises. We now know that this increases neuro-plasticity in a helpful way as Brain Gym calms the Limbic system (Amygdala which is on guard for danger) and strengthens the commissure pathways, those 'super highways' between the different parts of the brain.
This allows for: better focus, balanced behaviours and organisation of thought. This in turn enables creativity and 'adult' expression say we can access our lives in a 'responsive rather than 'reactive' way as we may do when stressed, so we can ‘say hello again’. Just one way of using this helpful research for our clients. .....
With great health, Lee-Anne MacLeod
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This is an article by Ruth Buczynski PhD on research on seven ways to a healthier functioning brain.
Most people want to be at their best and, in order to do that, they need to take care of their brain. And now science is showing us how.
We used to think that the brain was fixed at about age 5 - and that it was downhill from there. But recently, some pioneering work in neurobiology has turned that thinking right on it’s head. Scientists are now finding that we have the capacity to re-wire brain circuits and to grow new neurons.
Its known as neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to be flexible and to rewire in response to experience.
And ever since neuroscientists discovered neuroplasticity and also neurogenesis (the brain’s ability to grow new neural networks), practitioners have sought to bring these new findings to their patients. So that’s what you have here, a snapshot of 7 buildings blocks for a healthy brain.
1. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that’s critical for learning. If you challenge your patients to learn something truly new and different every day, it’s an excellent workout for their brain.
And all behavior change involves learning, whether it’s at the conscious or the unconscious level.
So it comes down to this - anything we can do to support the hippocampus is helpful in countless areas of life.
But the corollary is also true - it’s important to avoid anything that makes the hippocampus shrink.
2. Let’s talk about the amygdala.
It’s constantly shooting out danger signals for trouble that’s not there because it’s constantly on alert. So the brain might signal danger that’s equivalent to being chased by a tiger, when all someone is facing is the inconvenience of stopping at a traffic light.
This hyper-reactivity can be very harmful to both health and relationships. But it also affects the brain.
3. Too much stress can be harmful to health, we hear this all too often. But it can also harm the brain. In studies with rats, we’ve been seeing that when corticosteroids were increased, neurogenesis decreased.
Let’s take this piece by piece. Corticosteroids are hormones released from the adrenals in response to stress. And neurogenesis is the brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. So, when stress goes up, neurogenesis goes down.
Now, back to the study, when corticosteroids were brought back under control, neurogenesis came back. In fact, chronic stress can shrink the brain, making it hard to learn new information or even simply retain the information you already have.
4. Aerobic exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. At any age! Why?
Because Aerobic exercise increases BDNF, which stands for brain-derived neurotrophic factor. When BDNF is released into the system, brain growth and neural connections are enhanced. John Ratey calls it “miracle grow” for the brain.
So, go out and get moving (and that doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon). If exercise is new to you, then start by walking, dancing, or even swimming, short distances at first, building-up your stamina over a month’s time.
And parents - get your kids to turn off the TV, the internet and the video games, and go outside and play. And if you are a manager or work in an office, suggest that the staff take a walk during lunch, or lead them in some jumping jacks before a meeting or a brain storming session.
5. While we’re up and moving, aerobic isn’t the only type of exercise that’s good for the brain. Studies have shown that weight training not only builds muscles and contributes to bone health, but it also improves cognitive functioning.
Specifically, weight training can boost our ability to make decisions, resolve conflicts, and sharpen focus. With so many daily distractions and the constant interruptions of all our gadgets, greater focus is especially appealing.
6. We want to support the hippocampus while simultaneously quieting noise from the amygdalae. But how do we do it?
One answer is meditation.
Meditation activates the hippocampus, which is essential for learning. And beyond that, it can enhance the very structure of the brain.
We know that the cerebral cortex thins with various brain diseases. And, unfortunately, it also thins with age. But now, researchers are finding that mind fullness practices help to thicken cell walls in the brain. All in all, meditation is one powerful workout for the brain.
7. We’ve heard how we can change the brain to enhance learning, memory, decision-making, relationships, workplace performance, and so many other parts of our patients’ lives.
But neuroplasticity isn’t necessarily a good thing all the time. In fact, there are times when it works against us.
We’ve talked about how when we learn something new, the brain is laying down new neural connections. And the more we learn, the more we reinforce those neural pathways. This is great if we’re practicing a new dance step, but what if the thing we’re repeating is a bad habit?
Whether a particular behavior is helpful or harmful, our brain is learning the pattern, and making it easier to do again. That’s why it can be difficult to help patients break out of a rut once they’ve gotten into a harmful habit.
The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine www.nicabn.com
---------------------------------------------
This is an article by Ruth Buczynski PhD on research on seven ways to a healthier functioning brain.
Most people want to be at their best and, in order to do that, they need to take care of their brain. And now science is showing us how.
We used to think that the brain was fixed at about age 5 - and that it was downhill from there. But recently, some pioneering work in neurobiology has turned that thinking right on it’s head. Scientists are now finding that we have the capacity to re-wire brain circuits and to grow new neurons.
Its known as neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to be flexible and to rewire in response to experience.
And ever since neuroscientists discovered neuroplasticity and also neurogenesis (the brain’s ability to grow new neural networks), practitioners have sought to bring these new findings to their patients. So that’s what you have here, a snapshot of 7 buildings blocks for a healthy brain.
1. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that’s critical for learning. If you challenge your patients to learn something truly new and different every day, it’s an excellent workout for their brain.
And all behavior change involves learning, whether it’s at the conscious or the unconscious level.
So it comes down to this - anything we can do to support the hippocampus is helpful in countless areas of life.
But the corollary is also true - it’s important to avoid anything that makes the hippocampus shrink.
2. Let’s talk about the amygdala.
It’s constantly shooting out danger signals for trouble that’s not there because it’s constantly on alert. So the brain might signal danger that’s equivalent to being chased by a tiger, when all someone is facing is the inconvenience of stopping at a traffic light.
This hyper-reactivity can be very harmful to both health and relationships. But it also affects the brain.
3. Too much stress can be harmful to health, we hear this all too often. But it can also harm the brain. In studies with rats, we’ve been seeing that when corticosteroids were increased, neurogenesis decreased.
Let’s take this piece by piece. Corticosteroids are hormones released from the adrenals in response to stress. And neurogenesis is the brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. So, when stress goes up, neurogenesis goes down.
Now, back to the study, when corticosteroids were brought back under control, neurogenesis came back. In fact, chronic stress can shrink the brain, making it hard to learn new information or even simply retain the information you already have.
4. Aerobic exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain. At any age! Why?
Because Aerobic exercise increases BDNF, which stands for brain-derived neurotrophic factor. When BDNF is released into the system, brain growth and neural connections are enhanced. John Ratey calls it “miracle grow” for the brain.
So, go out and get moving (and that doesn’t mean you have to run a marathon). If exercise is new to you, then start by walking, dancing, or even swimming, short distances at first, building-up your stamina over a month’s time.
And parents - get your kids to turn off the TV, the internet and the video games, and go outside and play. And if you are a manager or work in an office, suggest that the staff take a walk during lunch, or lead them in some jumping jacks before a meeting or a brain storming session.
5. While we’re up and moving, aerobic isn’t the only type of exercise that’s good for the brain. Studies have shown that weight training not only builds muscles and contributes to bone health, but it also improves cognitive functioning.
Specifically, weight training can boost our ability to make decisions, resolve conflicts, and sharpen focus. With so many daily distractions and the constant interruptions of all our gadgets, greater focus is especially appealing.
6. We want to support the hippocampus while simultaneously quieting noise from the amygdalae. But how do we do it?
One answer is meditation.
Meditation activates the hippocampus, which is essential for learning. And beyond that, it can enhance the very structure of the brain.
We know that the cerebral cortex thins with various brain diseases. And, unfortunately, it also thins with age. But now, researchers are finding that mind fullness practices help to thicken cell walls in the brain. All in all, meditation is one powerful workout for the brain.
7. We’ve heard how we can change the brain to enhance learning, memory, decision-making, relationships, workplace performance, and so many other parts of our patients’ lives.
But neuroplasticity isn’t necessarily a good thing all the time. In fact, there are times when it works against us.
We’ve talked about how when we learn something new, the brain is laying down new neural connections. And the more we learn, the more we reinforce those neural pathways. This is great if we’re practicing a new dance step, but what if the thing we’re repeating is a bad habit?
Whether a particular behavior is helpful or harmful, our brain is learning the pattern, and making it easier to do again. That’s why it can be difficult to help patients break out of a rut once they’ve gotten into a harmful habit.
The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine www.nicabn.com
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