Summary

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the human brain to change. Neuroplasticity allows us to change. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to slow or delay the process of degeneration of brain tissues. The opportunities to practice neuroplasticity are everywhere.

Neuroplasticity and Mental Wellbeing

Neuroplasticity can lead to mental wellbeing and allow us to enjoy life. Let’s explore how.

Neuroplasticity Defined

Neuroplasticity or neural plasticity allows the human brain to be altered structurally and biochemically and electrically. The ability of our brains to change physiologically translates to the ability of a human being to modify thoughts, emotions, perceptions, behaviours, and habits. Neural plasticity and mental wellbeing accompany us on our journey through life.

The ability of our brains to change happens in several ways. Neurons or nerve cells can grow dendrites (extensions or branches) and spines (tips of dendrites that make contact with other neurons). Neurons can shrink or grow in size. Circuits of neurons can change their connections to each other and make connections with other neurons.

Neuroplasticity In Action

Let’s take a look at neuroplasticity in action.

Exactly what is going on in our brain when it exhibits the trait of neuroplasticity?

I am enthralled every time I watch this short Youtube video from MEDspiration entitled, wouldn’t you know it, Neuroplasticity In Action:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1MQbqVDV820

Just fascinating, eh?

Not Reinventing the Wheel: Neuroplasticity and Wellbeing

Confidence fills me when recognizing my own humble nature. I am very confident about how tiny a speck I am in the universe, as we know it. Humility fills me as the thought takes shape in my mind, that I am truly nothing.

And, that is okay. Because I am interconnected with the universe. I love the concept of interconnectedness. Because it grants me some power.

Not everyone is going to be able to invent or discover great concepts and occurrences like neuroplasticity. We can share the awe about such discoveries, right?

Filled with awe, I acknowledge that I am not the first person to contemplate the sheer power of neuroplasticity in fueling healing and progress in fellow human beings and other beings who have neurons and neuronal tissues.

Neuroplasticity and mental wellbeing accompany me on my journey in this life.

The Possibilities with Neuroplasticity

At the University of Utah, the Resiliency Center appreciates the potential of neuroplasticity contributing to our wellbeing. If our brain regions engage in neuroplasticity, we can experience mental wellbeing! To boot, we can harness the potential of neuroplasticity by engaging in experiences in our lives which promote neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity can delay or slow the progression of neurodegeneration and its manifestations.

What Actions Can Be Taken to Foster Neuroplasticity

Learn something new. Change a habit (that needs to be changed). Alter your routine: try taking a different route to a usual destination. Explore your environment for new experiences. Become physically active. Establish a routine for adequate, restorative sleep.

Where Are the Opportunities To Exercise Neuroplasticity?

Everywhere.

Along our travels in a given day, we encounter people different from us. Maybe they speak a language we do not speak. Maybe they have a skill we do not have. Perhaps they prepare meals using ingredients and recipes unfamiliar to us. Perhaps they have hidden talents they can teach us.

By travel, I do not mean escaping your town or city or county or state or country. Literally, I travel when I exit my home and walk down the street. I encounter people along the way. Just as I encounter people at the gas station; the grocery store; the bank; the pharmacy; the UPS store; the post office. Everywhere, people.

What would it take to greet one of those people, ask how they are doing, chit chat about the weather, maybe interject how the weather is permitting you to engage in your favourite pastime. And, just maybe, over time, you would make a connection with someone whom you see regularly and learn something about them and from them.

One of my friends recently told me she is looking forward to learning something new when her neighbour does some electrical work for her. My friend may not decide to apprentice in order to become an electrician. Still, she is going to learn something new. Her learning takes her on the trajectory to creating new neuronal connections.

That will be neuroplasticity in action.

Exercising Neuroplasticity for Mental Wellbeing: Communal Effects

My mental wellbeing affects the mental wellbeing of those around me.

Because we are interconnected.
Because we have mirror neurons which lead us to experience emotions expressed (facial expressions alone!) by others.
Because my actions and behaviours are affected by my mental wellbeing. My actions and behaviours can directly and indirectly affect others.

What if we all engaged in some activity which fostered neuroplasticity and, thus, improved our mental wellbeing?

Community Wellbeing may result. Ooh, how revolutionary would that be?

Challenging All Interconnected Beings

Let’s start the revolution of wellbeing through neuroplasticity.

Connect and learn something new. Work on establishing self-care habits like sleeping well and exercising regularly. Develop skills to manage stress.

We owe it to ourselves. We owe it to our community. We owe it to the world.

Be well. Happy learning.

Additional Resources:

How learning a new language changes your brain. Carly Spence, 2022. Cambridge University Press & Assessment. https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2022/04/29/learning-language-changes-your-brain/

Neuroplasticity: How to Use Your Brain’s Malleability to Improve Your Well-being. Megan Call, 2019. University of Utah, Accelerate Learning Community. https://accelerate.uofuhealth.utah.edu/resilience/neuroplasticity-how-to-use-your-brain-s-malleability-to-improve-your-well-being

Rewire Your Brain: How Neuroplasticity Can Transform Your Life. Andrew Cooper-Sansone and Taylor Guthrie. The Cellular Republic. The Social Brain. Episode 14. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5SUa6zD4n8

The times they are a-changin’: a proposal on how brain flexibility goes beyond the obvious to include the concepts of “upward” and “downward” to neuroplasticity. 27 December 2022. Cassiano Ricardo Alves Faria Riniz & Ana Paula Crestani. Molecular Psychiatry. 28, 977-992. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01931-x