Neuroplasticity
What is neuroplasticity?
Brainsync is all about creating neuroplasticity. We influence the areas of the brain that aren’t firing well and strengthen the pathways so they are being used efficiently and effectively. This is how we build better, balanced brains!
One of the exciting discoveries of our time is the fact that our brains have the remarkable ability to change in response to experience. So, what does this actually mean in reality?
Ever heard someone say - “Oh well, my mum or dad had it so its just in my genetic makeup”. This may be true for particular conditions but many others are caused by the interplay between our inborn genetic code and the experiences/ environment in which we live. We have the ability to grow new neurons, make new connections in our brains and thus alter the course of our lives.
How do we do this?
Our brains are a living, breathing tissue that requires rest, nutrition, oxygen and movement for health.
Rest
Sleep acts like a biological dishwasher of the brain - during sleep the fluid surrounding our brains acts to flush out some of the toxins that have accumulated during the day. Think of it as an overnight detox!
Nutrition
This is a huge topic in itself. Think about the basics - healthy well balanced diet (high proportion of fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, smaller portion sizes, and adequate water. This nutrition is vital as our brains use approximately 20% of our entire body’s energy stores. We had sure better feed it right if we want a well balanced brain.
Oxygen
Our brain uses the second highest amount of oxygen after the liver and before the heart. Deep diaphragmatic breathing is essential for good brain and nervous system health - it helps improve our vagal tone (see other blog) and helps us get out of our fright/ flight mode and help us switch into our rest and digest state. Let’s face - most of us are switching into this state just to get through the day. A stress response is no longer triggered by the need to run away from the big brown bear but it is switched on simply by getting the kids ready for school, having the discussion of which socks to put on, what foods to put in the lunchbox etc. Stress is a huge contributor to defining brain heath.
Movement
We need to train our brain just like we do our muscles. our bodies are designed to move outside, through lots of different ranges of motion in many different environments. How many active minutes did you have today? Did you get a chance to go for a walk outside (or did you go from being seated in the car at school drop off to work where you sat at a desk etc)?
New & novel experiences
Our brain craves novelty. Have you ever driven to work, arrived and realised that you had paid absolutely no attention to the journey, how long it took, which turns you made?) Your brain has created a map of this journey - it is well worn, and therefore doesn’t take much conscious thought for you to slip into that pattern. In order for our brains to grow and change we need to create new patterns of connection. What happens if you take a completely different route to work - you will need to think about it, prepare and plan for it. This is creating new pathways in your brain. Try brushing your teeth in your opposite hand - it feels weird to begin with but it is amazing our proficient you can be when you try.