Our thoughts affect our brains. More specifically, “… what you pay attention to, what you think and feel and want, and how you work with your reactions to things sculpt your brain in multiple ways,” according to neuropsychologist Rick Hanson, Ph.D, in his newest book Just One Thing: Developing A Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time. In other words, how you use your mind can change your brain.
According to Canadian scientist Donald Hebb, “Neurons that fire together, wire together.” If your thoughts focus on worrying and self-criticism, you’ll develop neural structures of anxiety and a negative sense of self, says Hanson.
For instance, individuals who are constantly stressed (such as acute or traumatic stress) release cortisol, which in another article Hanson says eats away at the memory-focused hippocampus. People with a history of stress have lost up to 25 percent of the volume of their hippocampus and have more difficulty forming new memories.
The opposite also is true. Engaging in relaxing activities regularly can wire your brain for calm. Research has shown that people who routinely relax have “improved expression of genes that calm down stress reactions, making them more resilient,” Hanson writes.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1995-2013 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 17 Jun 2013
|
Hi! thank you for the great article. I have also something to say in my own blog – the way I’ve overcomes the anxiety attacks by myself. Please take a look: http://www.stoppanicattackreviews.com/ (swear it’s not a spam)
thanks
Hi Margarita,
This is an excellent article. I have been practicing TM for more than 15 years and can attest to its benefits. Having had a difficult early start in life, I find that anxiety can seem protective, and TM help to disengage from the mind’s hyperactivity.
I also found this study about how TM reduced the symptoms of veteran’s with PTSD by 50%. If meditation can work for soldiers it can help the rest of us. I hope you find this helpful. http://www.hsphealth.com/blog/2011/08/meditation-helps-ptsd/#axzz1is3Xrptd
Excellent article with excellent suggestions, which may be easier said than done. But I think I will give them a try!!
Great and useful , thank you.