Neuroplasticity, change your brain's function with fun activities.

Hello and welcome to my first blog post for the month of April.

I want to talk about a word that has completely transformed the way I think about mental health and wellness - neuroplasticity. It may sound like a mouthful, but the concept is actually quite simple.

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change and adapt, even as we age. This means that we can actively work to improve our brain function and resilience, simply by engaging in certain activities and habits.

For me, the journey to discovering neuroplasticity started with a simple challenge from my accountability partner - to bungee jump in South Africa. Now, I know what you're thinking - how does bungee jumping have anything to do with mental health? Well, for me, it was a powerful lesson in facing my fears head-on and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety and fear for most of my life, taking that leap of faith (literally) was a transformative experience. In that moment, I had to soothe and reassure myself that everything was going to be okay, despite the overwhelming feeling of fear.

And you know what? It worked. That experience of pushing past my limits and overcoming my fears opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. I started taking on new challenges, like learning how to swim and lifting weights, and I felt my mental and physical health improve as a result.

So, what does this all have to do with neuroplasticity? Well, it turns out that by engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate our brains, like learning a new skill or facing a fear, we can actually promote the growth of new brain cells and improve our brain's ability to change and adapt.

This means that we have the power to actively shape our brains and improve our mental health, simply by taking on new challenges and engaging in healthy habits like:

1. Joining a dance class - will enhance motor coordination, learning new movement patterns, which challenges the brain to create new neural pathways, promoting neuroplasticity.

2. Learning to sing or joining a singing group-including language processing, memory, and emotional regulation, promoting neuroplasticity.

3. Learning a new Nigerian language -Learning a new language can improve cognitive abilities and increase the gray matter in certain brain areas

4. Exercising or moving your body -such as through yoga or aerobic exercise, releases endorphins, reduces stress, and promotes the growth of new brain cells, promoting neuroplasticity.

5. Go swimming- multiple sensory and motor systems, stimulating the brain to create new connections and promoting neuroplasticity.

6. Becoming self-aware is crucial. Try journaling your daily experiences and emotions. You'll be surprised at what you find out about yourself. I discovered that I was often angry and complained a lot. By being honest with yourself, you can uncover hidden treasures and discover parts of yourself you never knew existed. Embrace all aspects of yourself because self-compassion can be learned. Give it a try and see the benefits for yourself.

So, if you're feeling stuck in a rut or struggling with your mental health, I encourage you to take on a new challenge or learn a new skill. You never know what kind of transformative experience it might lead to.

PRO TIP Show yourself the same kindness, concern, and understanding that you would offer to a dear friend, for true self-compassion begins when you treat yourself with the same love and respect you give to others

Until next time,

THE PERSON WHO SENT YOU THIS POST WANTS YOU TO KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Precious Obeahon.

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