What is brain plasticity and how to develop

What is brain plasticity

Those who are not able to change their thinking, can not change anything.

George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright and novelist, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature

Nothing in the world does not stand still, and we must adapt to this. Every year changes take place all the more rapidly, so for us now is especially important to have flexible thinking and develop the plasticity of their brains.

Brain Plasticity, or neuroplasticity - the brain is the ability to form new neural connections. That it allows neurons - the nerve cells that make up our brains - to adjust its work in response to changes in the environment and adapt to them.

Norman Doydzh, a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, in his book "The plasticity of the brain. Stunning facts about how thoughts can change the structure and function of our brains "about people whose brain was able to recover after severe disturbances, such as after a stroke. The author argues that this body can change, reorganize and form new neural connections throughout life, not just as a child, as a science claimed earlier.

At any age, a person can improve brain function or maintain it at the same level. Even with the approach of old age, the brain is able to change its structure and work only through the thoughts and actions of man. To do this, you need to develop flexibility in their thinking.

Flexibility of thinking, or cognitive flexibility - the ability of the human brain to overcome the usual reaction and thinking schemes in unusual conditions and create new ones.

That is, the ability to adapt to new situations, to break up difficult tasks into small pieces, improvise and use different strategies depending on its objectives. This property allows you to switch the brain and think about something from a different perspective.

Why is it important to have flexible thinking

It is human nature to strive for constancy. Changes scare that forced to leave comfort zone. But the installation on non-acceptance of the changes and the inability to adapt to them prevents us to organize your life.

Pay attention to the elderly. Why are they so eager to always establish the order? Norman Doydzh argues that the aging person gradually loses the ability to change between his mind and the outside world there is a discrepancy. Unnoticed, he begins to interfere in every detail and trying to fit it under the familiar standards.

It plasticity of the brain gives us the ability to overcome those mental barriers that hinder to go beyond the established order of things.

The more you develop your mind throughout life, the less risk to face Alzheimer's disease and dementia. But the lack of flexibility of thinking affects us not only with age. If we stop to study, You no longer feel the fullness of life. Our brain begins to miss the vigorous activity and decision-making is limited only enshrined in the settings there. First, it seems to us that there's nowhere to grow, then we are sure of this.

The desire for a new way - one of the traits that allow to stay healthy and happy and contribute to personal growth as they mature.

Robert Cloninger, a psychiatrist

What distinguishes people with flexible thinking

A person with a flexible mind, constantly rethinking ways to solve problems and find new ones to cope with the task better, easier and faster.

This ability were given many successful people we admire. Security of their productive activity - the daily pursuit of the new.

It is important not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One can only marvel reverently mysteries of eternity, or the existence of the amazing structure of reality. Enough to try every day, at least a little to comprehend this mystery.

Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel Prize laureate

Leonardo da Vinci maintained his curiosity for life, and today he is considered one of the most unique people in history. Passion for knowledge led him to success in many different areas: Da Vinci devoted himself to art, technology, philosophy and natural sciences.

Originality of great men - the result of their own desires and efforts. Vivid imagination, curiosity and observation - these are the qualities that we must adopt.

I always do what I can not do. So I can learn it.

Pablo Picasso, the artist

How to develop thinking flexibility

Look at things from different angles

Think of all the phenomena from different angles - this will help to find new ways to develop.

Use your imagination, imagine the situation from the perspective of their friends and acquaintances. Most likely, you will find many new ways to solve problems or to see the flaws in their work, which can be corrected.

Get out of the comfort zone

Change the context or the environment around you, and you feel like changing your mind. Get out of their usual roles and do what you used to doubt what and what to avoid.

Communicate with people from different backgrounds, be open to their opinions and ideas. Listen to the ideas with which you disagree, and before rejecting them, analyze.

Trust your intuition and emotions

Logical thinking really helps to cope with familiar problems when they need to follow well-known techniques. But, when dealing with something new, existing rules and established methods are sometimes counterproductive.

Typically, the process of thinking takes place from top to bottom: from analysis to action. But, faced with a difficult task, try to give freedom intuition.

Intuition - it is something that is ahead of exact knowledge. Our brain has, without doubt, a very sensitive nerve cells that allows to feel the truth, even when it is not available yet logical conclusions or other mental efforts.

Nikola Tesla, scientist and inventor

Be curious

Ask questions around the world and look for the answers. Interested in what surrounds you. Write down everything that made you think about it, all the ideas and thoughts.

Continue to learn and to seek new ways. The plasticity of the mind is born from innovation, which helps brain development throughout life. And if you are afraid of change, remember: they make you stronger.