Itโs not just our bodies that we need to exercise to keep us fit and healthy โ our brains too should be treated to a regular workout in the form of meditation and mindfulness if we are to harness our full potential, says Sue France
The brain is a fascinating subject and the development of MRI scans has meant that neuroscientists have been able to research and understand it better than ever before. Our brains have evolved over thousands of years to navigate complex environments. The brain has amazing abilities but it did not come with an instruction manual. I believe we should all endeavour to learn and understand how best to use our brains to maximise the neuroscientistsโ findings and use this knowledge to be more effective, healthier and successful in everything we do.
Our brains have 100 billion neurons โ more stars than there are in the Milky Way. The brain also has a million billion synapses; these are the connections between the neurons that help us be who we are and do what we do, from breathing to becoming brain surgeons. Every time you experience something new, your brain changes as the connections, or synapses, between your neurons react and new connections are formed.
The synapses are where electric nerve impulses between two neurons are transmitted and a chemical synapse is where impulses are transmitted across microscopic spaces via chemical substances called neurotransmitters. One of the neurotransmitters that you may have heard of is dopamine. Dopamine is needed in order for us to focus, such as remembering where you put your keys, recalling the last paragraph you just read, or simply to prevent you from daydreaming.
We all know we need to keep stress, pressure and anxiety to a minimum and the biological reason for this is that when we suffer from stress, we produce cortisol and adrenalin, which can be good in small quantities but harmful in larger doses. Stress actually reduces dopamine levels in our brain, reducing our ability to think and act properly. Cortisol is released in response to fear as well as stress, as part of the fight-or-flight mechanism that takes place in the amygdala, located deep within the brain. It is important to know how to reduce our cortisol levels, as cortisol interferes with learning, memory, blood pressure, cholesterol, increased weight gain, heart disease and even depression and mental illness, possibly resulting in a lower life expectancy.
One exciting development that neuroscientists have discovered is the neuroplasticity of the brain (plastic meaning pliable) and its ability to form new neural pathways and connections, which means we can change our habits and the brain can grow and evolve right into old age. So we now know we can rewire our brains for success and excellence. We do this by rebuilding the neural pathways in our brain and, just like creating a new path in a forest requires walking along it more than once, changing the way we think and our habits also means the brain requires more than a one-off action โ it needs repetition.
What happens in your brain depends on you to a certain extent; there are things you can do and think to help you be your ultimate self, such as exercise, meditation and mindfulness. These help to improve blood flow to the brain and allow blood pressure to decrease, which means you are less likely to have a cardiac arrest. These activities also improve mood and brainpower by raising your dopamine levels. Understanding and knowing what your own brain needs is imperative to a successful life.
Sue France is a trainer, author and coach for administrative professionals. Find out more at suefrance.com
