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Like updating software on your phone or computer, reprogramming your brain is the same. Moreover, the way you constantly think and act, as well as your experiences, play a key role in the rewiring of your brain. In this article, we’ll take a deep look into what it means to reprogram your brain, why it’s crucial to rewire your brain, what Neuroplasticity is and why it has an important role in the rewiring of the brain, and nine actionable steps you can take to reset your brain.
What Does It Mean to Rewire Your Brain?
“Rewiring” or “Reprogramming” your brain is when your brain makes new neural pathways based on your consistency with engaging in certain activities, habits, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. For instance, if you make it a habit to fix your bed just after you get up, this new habit will rewire your brain and become a norm. As discussed in the intro, think of it as updating software.
Why Is It Important to Reprogram Your Brain?
- Break Negative Thinking Patterns: Overcome harmful thoughts that is holding you back.
- Promote Self-growth: Become the best version of yourself and accomplish your goals.
- Improve Mental-health: Cultivate healthy thinking patterns.
What Is Neuroplasticity and How Does It Help to Reprogram Your Brain?
Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to conform to changes when you engage in new experiences you face throughout life.
There are two key processes in which Neuroplasticity works:
- The Synaptic Pruning Phase: this is your brain’s way of disconnecting from thoughts, ideas, and behaviors you aren’t using.
- The Hebbian Learning Phase: this process is when you repeat a behavior, the stronger the neurons in your brain make connections with each other.
Therefore, Neuroplasticity helps to reset your brain by training it to conform to new habits, behaviors, or emotions and let go of old ones.
How to Reprogram Your Brain: 9 Steps to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself
Step One: Identify Limiting Beliefs
Recognize limiting beliefs that you think about often, write them down, and replace them with positive affirmations or beliefs. For example, if your limiting belief is “I will never be able to do that”, you can change it to “I can do it if I stay consistent and persevere.”
Step Two: Practice Gratitude
When we practice gratitude, our brains are reprogrammed to focus on positive things. Furthermore, studies have shown that practicing gratitude boosts the neural sensitivity in the prefrontal cortex, which increases happiness and decreases stress.
You can practice gratitude by writing down three things you are grateful for each morning and reflecting on positive moments in your life.
Step Three: Indulge in Mindfulness and Meditation
Indulging in mindfulness helps strengthen the prefrontal cortex which is essential for better decision-making and regulating emotions.
For cognitive rewiring, you can practice mindfulness by doing deep breath exercises throughout the day.
Also, meditation helps to minimize stress and helps you to think clearly.
You can practice meditation daily for at least 30 minutes to calm your mind.
Step Four: Challenge Negative Thoughts
When you have negative thoughts, replace them with positive ones. For example, if you’re thinking, “I’ve failed”, combat it with “I’ve learned so much from this experience.”
Also, keep a log of every negative thought you’ve told yourself so that you can reframe them with new positive ones.
Step Five: Create or Reinforce Positive Habits
Step five to reprogram your brain is to construct or strengthen habits that’ll improve your life.
Your habits shape who you are. Hence, it is important you form habits that make you become your best self.
To reset your brain you can build new habits by setting clear realistic goals and breaking them down into actionable steps. Make sure to reward yourself for sticking to habits.
Also, try habit stacking, where one habit triggers another. For instance, after you finish brushing your teeth for the night, it becomes a cue to lay out your clothes for the next day.
Step Six: Learn Something New
Learning something new is a great way to reinvent your brain and change the way you perceive certain things.
In addition, challenging your brain with new activities will help to strengthen neural connections.
So, whether it’s learning a new language, or instrument, or trying a new hobby you can be sure to improve your cognitive rewiring.
Step Seven: Exercise Daily
Did you know that your brain produces brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which helps to grow new neurons every time you exercise?
Therefore, consider exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Whether you go to the gym, do yoga, pilates, or go on walks you can reprogram your brain through fitness.
Step Eight: Get Quality Sleep
Getting good sleep is essential for reinventing your brain because it strengthens your memory.
To have quality sleep you can create a sleeping schedule and stick to it, avoid watching TV or being on your devices 1-2 hours prior to going to bed, and create a relax and calming atmosphere by indulging in soothing techniques such as meditation.
Step 9: Surround Yourself with Motivation and Positivity
Surrounding yourself with people who inspire you or who uplift you can help with the rewiring of your brain.
Also, organizing and decluttering your environment can help you cognitively.
In addition, consume positive or useful content such as reading self-help books or listening to podcasts.
To Wrap Things Up
Reprogramming your brain is within your grasp. With these nine actionable steps, you can become the person you want to be. So, take action today by taking intentional steps such as developing a new habit, or challenging your brain by learning something new.
Remember that you have the power to reprogram your brain, reframe your thoughts, and change your life.
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