Tap Into Neuroplasticity And Trailblaze New Helpful Thought Patterns
It's no secret that we all have some bad habits. Maybe you bite your nails when you're anxious or stress eat when things get tough.
Whatever it is, we've all got something we could stand to improve about ourselves.
And while changing any old habit can be difficult, breaking a really ingrained and harmful one can feel downright impossible at times. But what if I told you that there was a way to change those negative thought patterns and behaviours for good?
That by harnessing the power of neuroplasticity through meditation, you could literally rewire your brain to think differently?
You see, our brains are constantly changing in response to our thoughts and experiences – this is what neuroplasticity is.
And research has shown time and time again that meditation can actually help us take advantage of this natural ability by increasing positive neural activity and connections while reducing negative ones.*
Table of Contents:
Neuroplasticity: What Is It and How Does It Work?
The Science Behind Neuroplasticity and Meditation
How Meditation Can Help to Mental Trailblaze New Helpful Thought Patterns
Tips for Getting Started with a Meditation Practice
FAQs in Relation to Neuroplasticity Through Meditation
How does meditation help neuroplasticity?
Can you rewire your brain with meditation?
How long does it take for meditation to rewire your brain?
Conclusion
Neuroplasticity: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This ability allows the brain to adapt and change in response to experience.
Meditation is one way to tap into neuroplasticity. When we meditate, we create new neural pathways by focusing our attention on a specific object or thought.
Over time, with regular practice, these neural pathways become stronger and more permanent, and we begin to experience changes in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The benefits of meditation are vast, and there is growing evidence to support its efficacy in promoting mental and physical health.
Meditation has been shown to improve mental clarity and focus, reduce stress and anxiety, promote emotional balance, and even boost immunity. And because neuroplasticity is a lifelong process, it's never too late to start meditating!
Meditation is one of the best ways to tap into neuroplasticity and improve your overall mental and physical health! Click To Tweet
The Science Behind Neuroplasticity and Meditation
This means that our brains are constantly rewiring themselves in response to our thoughts, feelings, and actions.
Meditation is a practice that allows us to focus our attention and become aware of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment. Research has shown that meditation can help to improve our mental and physical health in a number of ways.
One of the ways that meditation may be beneficial is by promoting neuroplasticity.
Some of the benefits of meditation that are thought to be due to its promotion of neuroplasticity include:
Improved mental clarity and focus
Increased self-awareness
Improved emotional regulation
Increased ability to cope with stress
Improved physical health
If you're interested in trying meditation for yourself, there are many resources available to help you get started. There are also a number of apps that can help you to meditate, such as Headspace and Calm.
Meditation is a great way to promote neuroplasticity and improve your overall mental and physical health! Give it a try today! (Click To Tweet)
How Meditation Can Help to Mental Trailblaze New Helpful Thought Patterns
But what some people may not know is that there are things we can do to help keep our minds healthy and strong.
One of those things is meditation. Meditation has been shown to help improve mental health in a number of ways.
It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, increase focus and concentration, and promote feelings of calm and relaxation.
But how does meditation do all of this?
One of the ways is by promoting neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences.
When we meditate, we are essentially providing our brains with a new experience to learn from. Over time, with regular practice, our brains learn how to respond to stressful situations in a more calm and productive way.
This is because we are teaching our brains to create new, helpful thought patterns. We are what we refer to as "mental trailblazing". It just might be the boost your brain needs.
Key Takeaway: Meditation can help improve mental health by promoting neuroplasticity, which is the brain's ability to change and adapt.
Tips for Getting Started with a Meditation Practice
Meditation is a great way to de-stress, relax and focus the mind. When you meditate, you are training your brain to focus and become more aware.
Studies have shown that meditation can actually change the structure of your brain, making it more resilient to stress. If you're new to meditation, it can be tricky to know where to start.
Here are some tips to help you get started with your own practice:
1. Pick a Quiet Spot:
When you're starting out, it's important to find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. This can be hard to find if you have a busy lifestyle, but it's worth taking the time to find a place where you can really focus.
2. Set a Timer:
It's easy to get lost in thought when you're meditating, so setting a timer can help you keep track of time. Start with a short amount of time, such as 5 or 10 minutes, and gradually increase it as you get more comfortable with the practice.
3. Sit Comfortably:
You don't need to sit in lotus position to meditate, but it's important to find a position that is comfortable for you. If you can, sit with your spine straight and your eyes closed.
You can also lie down if that's more comfortable for you.
4. Focus on Your Breath
One of the most important aspects of meditation is focusing on your breath. As you inhale and exhale, pay attention to the way your breath feels.
This can help you to focus your mind and keep you in the present moment.
5. Don't Worry About Doing It Perfectly:
Meditation is not about doing it perfectly. There will be times when your mind wanders and that's OK.
Just gently bring your attention back to your breath and continue meditating.
Key Takeaway: Meditation can help to focus the mind and make you more resilient to stress.
FAQs in Relation to Neuroplasticity Through Meditation
How does meditation help neuroplasticity?
Meditation helps neuroplasticity by promoting mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and observing one's thoughts and feelings without judgment.
This allows for greater self-awareness and understanding of how thoughts and emotions affect the body. Additionally, mindfulness meditation has been shown to increase grey matter density in the brain, which is associated with improved cognitive function.
Can you rewire your brain with meditation?
Yes, you can rewire your brain with meditation.
Meditation has been shown to increase neuroplasticity by altering the structure and function of the brain.
How long does it take for meditation to rewire your brain?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the individual's brain structure and how frequently they meditate.
However, some studies have shown that meditation can lead to changes in the brain after just a few days of practice.
Conclusion
If you're looking to change a harmful habit or thought pattern, why not give neuroplasticity through meditation a try?
It just might be the key to finally breaking free from whatever it is that's holding you back. And if you need support from one of our meditation insturctors, reach out and we'd love to be part of your wellness journey!
We offer private yoga and meditation sessions, corporate yoga for employees, employee wellness programs and events. Through these services, we help people learn how to control their thoughts and emotions through neuroplasticity. This process allows them to change negative thought patterns into positive ones that can lead to a more fulfilling life.
The Mindful Brain’s Response to Yoga and Mediation
Have you ever wanted to know how the brain responds during yoga or meditation? Or wondered why people are so drawn to this practice time and time again? There’s a scientific reason for that…and it all starts with the mapping of your brain!
Brain Map
There are 6 main sections of your brain: frontal lobe, parietal lobe, occipital lobe, cerebellum, brain stem, and temporal lobe.
It’s important that we understand the mapping of the brain before we discuss all of the positive benefits of practicing yoga and meditation and how it increases one’s overall cognitive functions.
Let’s Take A Look At The Different Sections
1) Frontal lobe is responsible for abstract thinking, planning, emotional regulation, personality and behavior.
When we are practicing yoga and meditation, this part of the brain allows you to plan, execute and adjust your yoga poses.
2) Parietal lobe cortex controls sensation. This includes touch, pain, temperature, and the sense of limb position.
During a yoga and meditation class, the parietal lobe processes the sensations you feel in downward dog, to the auditory cues you hear from your instructor.
3) Next we have the occipital lobe. The occipital lobes sit at the back of the head and are responsible for visual perception, including color, form and motion.
This portion of the brain allows you to see the color of your mat and your focal point as you are balancing during poses.
4) Sitting close to the brain stem is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for coordinating voluntary movements. It is also responsible for a number of functions including motor skills such as balance, coordination, and posture.
During a yoga class, this portion of the brain is responsible for muscle memory and involuntarily changing positions without thinking.
5) Next to the cerebellum is the brainstem. This is the lower part of the brain that's connected to the spinal cord (part of the central nervous system in the spinal column). The brainstem is responsible for regulating most of the body's automatic functions that are essential for life. These include: breathing.
AND we all need breathing, especially during mindful practice such as yoga and meditation.
6) Temporal lobe is responsible for processing affect/emotions, language, and certain aspects of visual perception. This part of the brain receives auditory information from the ears and secondary areas, and then processes the information so we understand what we're hearing. (ex: verbal communication, laughing, a baby crying)
You exercise your temporal lobe during a yoga class when you process the sound of your breath, or experience a feeling of triumph as you successfully were able to hold a new challenging position.
Brain’s Response to Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation directly influence our mindfulness and reap great benefits on our brain that go far beyond the mat!
When we practice yoga and meditation, our brain develops neural connections and these neural pathways are responsible for connecting thoughts, sensations, feelings and actions. Similar to getting stronger when we lift weights, when we meditate and practice yoga regularly, our neural connections become strengthened. This positively impacts our ability to think clearly, increasing memory, attention, and self-awareness.
When we are able to develop an inner awareness, we are able to focus our attention on the present moment and our body’s capabilities.
The bottom line is that meditation and yoga can be extremely beneficial for our mental health and well-being, helping us to improve our focus and concentration, uphold a greater level of self-awareness, and achieve mindfulness.
Vibrant Yoga is based in Chicago and serves the Chicagoland area as well as virtually anywhere with practical tools and guidance to individual wellness for a healthier lifestyle. We envision a world where every individual, employee, and business owner has the freedom and resources to maintain vibrant health that positively impacts their mental and physical well-being.