A quick introduction to Positive Neuroplasticity
The word ‘neuroplasticity’ simply refers to the brain’s ability to adapt and change. For many years it was thought that the brain was only moldable (changeable/adaptable) in our earlier years. Considerable research has found out that this is not correct. Our brain continues to change through our lifetime.
The interesting fact is that, after a huge jump in evolution between 800 and 200 thousand years ago, our brain has remained pretty much the same. This means that we are genetically programmed to respond, like in the cave times, to danger, threats, survival and are, therefore, ‘wired’ to focus on negative thoughts. Even during times which are less stressful, our minds will focus on how to resolve a problem, the endless list of things that need be done, the possible mistakes we may have made, somebody saying something we may take offense to, even though that may not have been the intention, and so on and so forth. We tend to catastrophise. How often have you been in a situation, where you have had a great day, with many positive things happening, and then one comment from somebody may throw you for the rest of the day? This is our negativity bias. Wouldn’t it be great if we could actually hold this negative experience and yet still feel contented and happy because we had such a great day?
The great news is that this is possible. We are actually capable of teaching our brain/mind to stay for extended periods of time in a contented, peaceful, happier place.
Our brain has got millions of neurons and between each neuron is a microscopic space which is called a ‘synapse’. Every time you have a new thought your brain changes. By intentionally focussing on the good things that happen in our lives, internally and externally we are creating a new neural pathway, a positive one. You are creating a new ‘synaptic connection’. It takes only between 10-30 seconds to stay with a good experience, to create a new neural pathway.
The way to do this is by simply taking in the experience, let’s say a sunset ~ you notice it, you appreciate it and then you take it a step deeper. You start to observe how your thoughts, emotions and sensations in your body change slightly as you let yourself really absorb this experience. It is powerful to consider that just a few seconds can have such a profound impact. Rick Hanson, PhD, calls it “Taking in the Good”.
Of course you need to repeat this exercise many times until your brain/mind experiences it as something automatic. Do you remember how many times tries it took you to learn how to ride a bicycle when you were young? Or to drive a car? Eventually it sinks in and becomes second nature, a ‘habit’. It is the same with this practice. The more you do it, the better you get at it. With enough repetition these tools become automatic. It really is wonderful news that we can actually train our brain/mind to see life from a positive place, no matter how old you are.
In this series of workshops, we will be teaching you the tools to deepen the skills of “Taking in the Good”, change your brain structure by supporting the creation of many new neural pathways and transform your natural negative bias to a positive one. This is the essence of neuroplasticity, or “positive neuroplasticity”.
Read more About Us and our Ageing Well Workshop.