Before diving into the complexities of retraining the human brain, it is essential to have a clear understanding of how it operates. Simply put, the brain is filled with interconnected neurons. Throughout our lives, our brains continuously create connections. When a child learns to walk, neurons connect and store the process of walking in the brain. When a child learns to write, neurons connect and store the process of writing in the brain, and so on.
This repetitive process strengthens these connections, embedding them deeper into the brain. This phenomenon is known as habit, which is formed in the brain’s basal ganglia. These connections become so ingrained in our subconscious that we perform them without thinking and can hardly forget them, like riding a bicycle, even after many years without doing it.
Habits, whether good or bad, are essentially neural pathways deeply embedded in your brain. This makes them very difficult to change, but not impossible!
For decades, neuroscientists believed that the brain could only form connections when it was young. Fortunately, many studies now show that we can create new neural connections even in old age. This means that with a little effort, you can change your habits and retrain your brain to work more efficiently and live healthier.
To learn how to nurture your brain and create new habits, check out the infographic below!
