Neurons are the foundational building blocks of your entire nervous system, and they are incredibly important when it comes to how you learn and the health of your brain. Neuroplasticity is the amazing ability that your brain has to grow and change. While it was once thought that our brains were basically hardwired as we aged, research has shown that they actually have a large capacity for learning new things and changing drastically.

Think about it this way: You see something that makes you think of a painful memory. Your neurons fire and take you back to the feelings and sensations of that memory. You think about the hurt, the fear, and the unsettling emotions that it caused. Your brain doesn’t have to try to do this—it’s a neural pathway that your brain has connected tons of times, so it just automatically goes there.

When you become aware of these troublesome pathways, you gain the opportunity to change them and essentially rewire the neural pathways. Maybe next time you experience a trigger, you intentionally take yourself to a different headspace. You might still visit the painful memory, but you can reconceptualize it by reminding yourself of the growth that it caused and how it eventually led you to a better place, either physically or mentally.

Allowing yourself to see even the tiniest bits of good in those difficult situations or memories can help your brain take your neurons down a different pathway and arrive at a different destination mentally. Not only is this important for your overall mental health because it helps you rid yourself of toxic thoughts and negativity, but it’s also important when it comes to keeping your brain healthy.

As you learn to build new neural pathways, your brain is able to connect and strengthen more neurons, which brings about improved brain health. This can enhance your memory and focus, and it can keep you mentally sharper as you age. Here are some tips on how you can form new neural pathways and improve your brain health, no matter how old you are.

Challenge Yourself

Challenging yourself to learn new skills and adopt new methods for various tasks is a great way to keep your brain firing. Learn a new language, take foreign language lessons, or take up a new hobby. If you’re short on time, simply using your non-dominant hand to do everyday tasks can be a great brain challenge that will keep you sharp.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

When you’re intentionally trying to build new neural pathways, such as when you’re reconceptualizing a difficult thought pattern, consistent practice and repetition are key to lasting change and brain growth. Dr. Caroline Leaf, a neuroscientist, has found that it takes about 63 days to retrain your brain to effectively create and establish new neural pathways.

Foster a Positive Environment

Not only do you need to be in a positive physical environment to foster true change (read: avoid toxic environments at all costs), but you also need to make sure other aspects of your life are working for you and not against you. This means properly hydrating yourself, eating real foods, and staying active. All these things will help your brain work more effectively and enhance your brain growth over the long term.

Get Adjusted

Like we always say, chiropractic care can help you live a greater life. Consistent adjustments and regular care help your entire body—brain included—function more optimally, which benefits any additional mental health efforts you’re already doing on your own. Being under care at Greater Life Chiropractic can help you stay healthy and form those new neural pathways with ease, bringing a variety of benefits to your mental health and overall health.

Contact Dr. Grant Lisetor and the team at Greater Life Chiropractic to learn more about the many benefits of chiropractic care and to schedule your consultation.

Sources

“Chiropractic and Consciousness – How We Influence Brain Plasticity.” Australian Spinal Research Foundation, February 2019. https://spinalresearch.com.au/chiropractic-and-consciousness-how-we-influence-brain-plasticity/.

“Improving Neuroplasticity Through Chiropractic Adjustments.” Ideal Spine, Sept 2017. https://idealspine.com/improving-neuroplasticity-through-chiropractic-adjustments/.

“Research: Beyond a Doubt, Adjusting the Subluxated Spine Changes Brain Function.” Australian Spinal Research Foundation, April 2016. https://spinalresearch.com.au/research-beyond-doubt-adjusting-subluxated-spine-changes-brain-function/.