What is Neuroplasticity and why should I care?
Neuroplasticity is the brains ability to absorb new topics, information, and new challenges.
Needless to say, it’s very important.
There are two types of neuroplasticity.
Structural plasticity which is in charge of experiences that create pathways to solidify learned information.
Functional plasticity which is a construction of pathways around damaged brain areas to work around an injury or weakness.
As you age your neuroplasticity, like everything else in your body, ages and changes. It’s important to keep up with your brain.
You know the saying “Use it or lose it?”
Well, that rings very true here. But I think, as well as actual doctors and scientist, that you can use it and improve it.
What are some easy everyday things I can do to keep myself sharp mentally?
I’m so glad you asked.
Let’s dive into some everyday exercises and “experiments” you can run on yourself daily listed out below.
–Every night I take out my planner (and my envelope that I throw notes in throughout the day/week) and I make a to do list for the next day. I also take this time to go through my planner. This helps me visualize my days, weeks, months.
-Whenever you go to work, the store, your kitchen (somewhere you frequent) … notice five new things that you hadn’t previously noticed.
–Pick a topic. Any topic you are interested in. Research that topic and write a summary on it. I have a Google Doc that I do this in and then I sort them by category.
-Ask yourself the question: “What hour/hours during the day do I feel the most like myself? When do I have the most energy?” After you figure that out, plan your day (and life) accordingly.
-Play games. Games are extremely stimulating and are a fantastic brain activity. I personally love the New York Times game app. (Some of it is paywalled, sadly) Click here to be friends on the NYT Game App. I am the biggest fan of the game connections on there. It really makes you think outside the box.
–Focus on a skill that you want to develop. That could be anything. It doesn’t have to be a hobby, or anything expensive. The skill could be having a set time that you do a specific in depth skincare routine. The skill could be meal prep, or nutritional /diet science for your specific body type. Just be consistent. Go all in because if you go half assed, then those are the results you will get in return. Half assed results.
–Set specific times for things. Start small. Set a time that you will have your teeth brushed by. After that add on other things you have to get done. Having a schedule will help your brain.
-Try not using your GPS when you go somewhere, if you don’t already do this.
-Are you right hand dominant? (90% of people are) Try using your non-dominant hand to do things. (Don’t hurt yourself, though)
-I am the pot calling the kettle black here, but making sure that you get enough sleep is super super important. Set a bedtime and a wake up time. Be consistent with it. Consistently is key.
–Can you play a musical instrument? Yes? Practice at least fifteen minutes a day. No, you can’t play one? Well, what better time to learn than the present?
–Sign up for an online course in something you’re interested in. I use Coursera. You get a certificate when you complete your course. Now you have a new life skill.
Alright, I’m going to end the list here. I will write again about the brain and things like this.
Until then, I’m going to get some much needed sleep.
Goodnight, Internet Friend.
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