The human brain can be called the Universe, it has the same unlimited possibilities and s s is little studied. For a long time it was believed that it is easy to learn, quickly accumulate experience only in childhood, while the cerebral cortex is being formed. As we grow older, we lose this ability. But it turns out that's not and until the end of life we can maintain a clear mind, excellent memory, ability to learn. And everything is due to the property of the brain to change, this is called neuroplasticity. What it is and what opportunities it opens up, read in this article.
- Materialization of information or how our brain works
- How Neuroplasticity Rewires the Brain
- 5 practical tips for brain training
Materialization of information or how our brain works
The human brain consists of neurons and glial cells (backbone cells). In response to external stimuli, neurons form branches to transmit impulses (electrical signals) to other neurons. One neuron can create thousands of connections, forming complex connections, forming conditioned reflexes, storing various images. This is a very simplified diagram of how the brain receives and processes information (visual, auditory, tactile signals from receptors), how memory works.
Immediately after the birth of a child, the brain develops at a tremendous rate. Neurons that initially had 2000–3000 connections in in a couple of years form an additional 10 –13,000 this is the time of active development of the nervous system and the cerebral cortex. By 18–20 years, this period ends and, as previously thought, brain neurons begin to gradually die off, which in old age leads to loss of memory and reduction of mental abilities.
In recent years, neuroscience has made great strides and it is now scientifically proven that the brain can change throughout life.
The formation of new neurons (neurogenesis) and the restructuring of neural networks is possible, which means you can change your personality. Neuroplasticity allows every person at any age to become smarter, emotionally more stable, and just happier.
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How Neuroplasticity Rewires the Brain
Every time we perform an action for the first time, the neurons form a new connection, a route for signal transmission. By repeating the action, we force them to strengthen this connection in order to use less energy for repetition. Therefore, we do the usual things on machine, and new — for a long time, thinking over each step.
Learning something, we develop the brain, forcing it to create new connections. Old, unused, weaken over time, but do not disappear completely. For example, when we move to a different country and learn the local language, we create a huge number of new neural connections. But and we we not forget completely, remember 's' own
We do not use the neuroplasticity of the brain to full, although everyone has the opportunity to do so. New Neural Routes — it is a flexible & nbsp; mind, excellent memory, quick response in & nbsp; any situation, control over emotions. And health. Thus, among Alzheimer's patients, the manifestations of the disease were stronger in those who knew one language, and those who knew more could resist the disease longer.
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5 practical tips for brain trainingHow can you develop your brain? Oddly — study. Any, but systematic, the main thing is to learn something new and fix it in memory. The best way — learning another language is both useful and practical. But in principle, any activity that requires concentration will do. No, surfing the internet is not suitable. You need not just to see/hear, but to remember and repeat, fix the information in memory.
In addition to learning, the development of neural connections is facilitated by physical exercises that saturate the blood with oxygen. Under conditions of hypoxia and poor blood circulation, the creation of new neural connections becomes more difficult. Therefore, you can't do without sports here.
Below are a few recommendations with examples that encourage the development of new neural connections. Starting to them, remember that the main — it's regularity and concentration.
1. Train your memory
For example, try walking to work in a new way, and notice details along the way (signs, merchandise in windows, color finishes). Arriving at the place, recreate the picture in your memory. When it's perfectly accurate, plot a new route.
2. Develop tactile perception
When dressing, find things in the closet by feeling until you learn to correctly recognize where what is. Determine, without looking, the material and fabric, guess the embossed pattern.
Different from Facebook shorts or blog posts, books make us follow the plot, keep the characters names in memory, and all of this over a for a long time. Constant Reading — a great way to maintain clarity of thought and avoid cognitive impairment.
4. Go in for sports
Repetition of physical exercises, especially new ones, also contributes to the creation of new neural connections. With every time the quality of the movements will improve, they will be clearer and more accurate.
5. Play
Chess, cards, Monopoly, dominoes... anything, but as long as the game is interesting for you and requires concentration. Computer games are also suitable;
Follow us on Instagram Actually, there is nothing fundamentally new in these tips. Don't don't be lazy, don allow yourself to be bored, saturate your life with new impressions, constantly study and learn new — There is nothing revolutionary about these recommendations. But in fact, very few follow them. And in vain.
Neuroplasticity opens up unlimited possibilities for self-organization and reconfiguration. By changing ourselves, our habits, knowledge and skills, we change perception of reality. This is an opportunity to reach a qualitatively new level of interaction with other people and with yourself. Yes, the brain controls us, but we can control the brain. Don miss the opportunity to "pump" the main organ of the human body.
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