neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form and reorganise synaptic connections.
In earlier times, researchers believed that the creation of new neurons stopped shortly after birth. These days, we know that the brain has the ability to reorganise pathways, create new connections, and even create new neurons.
One way to improve our neuroplasticity is by enriching our environment. We can do this by:
- Learning new things, like a new language or musical instrument
- Travelling and exploring
- Creating art and other creative pursuits
- Reading
Besides this, it is important to take care of ourselves with lots of rest and maintaining healthy habits.
Read more about neuroplasticity at The Very Well Mind
Simply understanding that our brains have this ability, can have improvements on our learning. Understanding that intelligence can be developed will give us a growth mindset. What is a growth mindset?
growth mindset
The Growth Mindset refers to the way of thinking that understands that intelligence can be developed. The alternative to this is the Fixed Mindset.
| Growth Mindset | Fixed Mindset |
|---|---|
| Intelligence can be developed | Intelligence is static |
| Embrace challenges | Avoid challenges |
| Persist through obstacles | Give up easily |
| See effort positively | See effort negatively |
| Learn from criticism | Ignore negative feedback |
| Find inspiration through others' success | Feel threatened by others' success |
Having a Growth Mindset will allow you to continue improving and learning throughout your adult life. It should be noted that you may have a Growth Mindset in one aspect of your life but not in others. For example, you may have a Growth Mindset in your career and always take on new challenges. But at the same time, you could have a Fixed Mindset with your health, thinking that you will never be fit enough to bike to work or go for regular runs.
how i'm going to use the growth mindset
The idea that you can have both a Growth and Fixed Mindset really resonated with me. My goal for learning is to develop a Growth Mindset with regard to health and exercise. This will, in turn, improve my neuroplasticity and hopefully create a wonderful feedback loop.