Also known as making habits
Neuroplasticity is directly affected by a variety of factors, but especially how we perceive an experience. Memories, human senses (what we see, hear, taste, touch and what we are thinking) all affect neuroplasticity. The brain’s wiring system.
The more a thought or action is repeated
a habit will form.
Neuroplasticity is like a built-in superpower. Your brain grows and changes throughout your life. Just like your muscles get stronger when you exercise, your brain can form new connections and pathways when you learn new things or have new experiences. This means that you can improve your abilities and skills over time, even if you struggle with them at first. With practice and effort, your brain can adapt and change to become better at things you want to do, think and feel. Learn and try new things and you’ll be amazed at what your brain can do!
ARE YOUR THOUGHTS CREATING CORTISAL?
Long-lasting stress can have negative effects on neuroplasticity. Under stress the brain creates hormones for the body to escape danger. Remember the stories about a mother lifting a vehicle to save her child? That’s the good stuff. Cortisol is one of those hormones. It tells your body to increase heart rate, blood sugar, and blood pressure. It tells also helps your body to use stored energy to deal with the stressful situation. However, too much cortisol can be bad for your body and can cause problems like weight gain, weak bones, and even mental health conditions. So, it’s important to learn healthy ways to manage stress and keep your cortisol levels in check.
Adrenaline
Adrenaline is another hormone released into the body and also great in the right situations. But like cortisol, adrenaline released for too long can lead to impaired learning and memory processes. Chronic stress is associated with the shrinking of certain brain regions that plays a key role in memory and learning.
Stress left unchecked, even holding onto a painful memory for too long leads to a dysfunction of neural pathways (neuroplasticity), This dysfunction creates habits of negative thought patterns, emotions and behaviors. Over time leading to negative impacts on mental health.
Overall, while short-term stress can enhance neuroplasticity, long term stress can have negative effects on the brain’s ability to change over time. Managing stress with healthy coping tools promotes healthy neuroplasticity and overall brain health.