Your brain is constantly changing.
It’s a little notion called “neuroplasticity.”
Needless to say, our brains change quite a lot throughout our lifetime.
But can we take control of that process?
How do we take control, you ask?
All it takes is a little mindfulness.
“The mind is key for getting control over your brain,” Leaf adds.
Here’s exactly how to do it, below:
Step 1: Gather.
First, you have to gather awareness.
No matter which avenue you choose, become aware of how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking.
What are my warning signals?
What’s this nagging sensation?"
That being said, it could take days before you feel ready to move on to the next stage.
Step 2: Reflect.
The second step, says Leaf, is deliberately asking yourself the “why” questions.
Again, it’s not quite a linear process.
Step 3: Write.
The first two steps arguably require the most heavy lifting.
(Trust us:Inner workis not easy).
“There’s so much science behind writing,” she says.
“When you write, you activate certain parts of the brain in a beautiful way.”
Step 4: Reconceptualize.
Look at what you’ve written: How can you reframe your thoughts into a possibilities mindset?
“Take the sting out of the emotions,” says Leaf.
“See it differently, so your storybuilds your resilience.”
That way, you’ll feel agency over your thoughts rather than feeling overwhelmed by a wave of emotions.
As Leaf remarks, “We need to have a process of managing your mind.”
Step 5: Active reach.
An important note: This process is not meant to be completed in a single day.
Brain building takeswork,and it requires long-term commitment.
In fact, Leaf says, it takes 63 days for neuroplasticity to occur.
Don’t fight it, but don’t lose hope, either.
After all, changing your brain is no easy feat.
As Leaf states, “You have to recreate the future, so give yourself those days.”
