5 fascinating brain facts
Brain science is fascinating. In essence, it’s the brain trying to figure itself out. Weird, right? YOU-app is supported by scientific evidence, and we have over the past year been digging deeper into how the brain works. Here’s what we’ve learned (hold on, it’s getting geeky!).
1. NEUROPLASTICITY IS YOUR BRAIN LEARNING
Not long ago was it thought that the brain stops learning after a certain age. Not true, it doesn’t! The brain actually keeps learning throughout your life through a process called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity happens when the brain’s building blocks, neurons, connect with each other. By learning new things, you create new neuron connections and keep your brain active! [i]
2. CELLS THAT FIRE TOGETHER, WIRE TOGETHER
We have as many neurons in our head as there are stars in our galaxy. Hundreds of BILLIONS! The thing about neurons is, they are very social and want to form relationships. They keep contact with tens of thousands of other neurons. If they don’t, they die. Now that’s a powerful social network.
The other thing about neurons is they want lasting relationships. The more you use a connection between two neurons, the stronger the relationship gets. Hence, “the cells that fire together, wire together.” [i]
3. MICRO-CHANGES GIVE THE BRAIN FOCUS
Our philosophy to a better life is micro-change. Why? Many reasons, one is related to the brain. We experience hundreds of thousands of stimuli daily, and it is impossible for the brain to keep up. Making large changes easily becomes overwhelming for the brain. Making small changes allows your brain to focus, and start the process of neuroplasticity. [ii]
Also, your brain consumes a lot of glucose when learning something new. The brain has a finite amount of glucose, so if you change too many things you need willpower for, you quickly empty your energy storage and fall into old behavior patterns (it’s one of the reasons why you are more likely to eat badly after a stressful day — the lack of glucose makes it more difficult to keep off those cookies!).[ii] (this is widely discussed, read a few more details here)
4. HABITS ARE YOUR BRAIN RESTING
Your brain is really smart. And lazy. It is constantly trying to save effortby making any routine a habit. Why? Because habits allow the brain to ramp down by using “pre-programmed” reactions. To help the brain create habits and save energy, your task is to pick activities that are easy (which a micro-change is, duh!), then focus and repeat. [i, iii]
5. ACTION CREATES MORE ACTION
Your actions re-program your brain. When you take action and succeed you get a sense of accomplishment, advancement, and other positive feelings. Your brain starts learning, and it makes you more ready and likely to take the next action, and thus triggers a virtuous circle of even more action.
Hence, taking action: 1) reprograms your brain by building new neuron connections, and 2) triggers MORE action! Change process, begun.
SO, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN, REALLY?
We want to create a “Movement of Action”. Why? Because changing your actions — even if you start from a micro-action — reprograms your brain, and triggers a virtuous circle of more action. What if we could start a virtuous circle of action for a better life? We challenge you — today, do one micro-action better!
