​​The Relationship Between Your Lifestyle and Brain Plasticity

The unique way in which individuals take care of themselves and go through life greatly impacts their brain functionality and health. The brain is highly malleable and can be adapted or changed. Plasticity is the term used to describe this incredible capability. The lifestyle someone has, the diet they consume, their level of regular exercise, and the way in which they engage their brain, can all have a major effect on the plasticity within the brain. Neuroplasticity, which is the process of forming new and strong neural networks in the brain, can be utilized to improve negative symptoms associated with chronic illness, brain fog, insomnia, and mental illness. The process of neuroplasticity is best supported by a healthy lifestyle, and today we are going to break down what this looks like and how different aspects of health and mental well-being relate to brain plasticity.

Understanding the Relationship Between Healthy Lifestyle and Neuroplasticity

How we go about taking care of our physical health can play an extremely large role in our mentality. Meaning, the actions we take today can largely affect us in our later years. The environment we are immersed in, the people we surround ourselves with, the media we consume, and our recurring thoughts all play a role in our level of brain plasticity. The following factors in our everyday lives are key components to supporting brain plasticity:

Physical Activities

Evidence suggests that physical activity is one of the largest elements when it comes to maintaining healthy brain plasticity and creating new connections between neurons. A research study that was published in 2018 thoroughly outlined the ways in which staying physically active can increase neuroplasticity and cognitive function^[1]. Mixing it up and trying new activities from time to time is understood to support and enhance the brain’s neuroplastic abilities.

Simple exercises or activities such as slow and gentle yoga, learning an instrument, walks outside, and tai chi are great examples of ways to get the body moving while still being mindful and staying connected to your body in a thoughtful manner. A way of approaching physical activity when you’re aiming to increase your brain plasticity is to “work in” rather than work out. The idea behind this is to stay as present and connected to your body as possible while engaging in physical activity, as this will help with raising energy levels rather than depleting them.

Cognitive Engagement as a Healthy Lifestyle Component

It’s so important to keep the mind thoroughly engaged when the goal is to increase neuroplasticity by creating stronger neural networks. Mind games, reading, writing, and working on puzzles are all great tools and methods that can improve brain plasticity. Exercises that you find keep the mind engaged help keep the mind flowing. This state of mental engagement is a key factor for improving neuroplasticity, because this is when the brain is at its most focused and receptive to the formation of new neural connections. When a neural connection is stimulated repeatedly, it is able to become stronger and more efficient^[2].

Diet and Healthy Lifestyle

The food that we consume is so much more than what ends up satiating us, as it is our primary energy source and what nourishes our whole being. At the end of the day, the most important way to eat is to ensure that we are fueling ourselves one way or another and being appreciative of the food that’s made available to us. That being said, foods that are rich in nutrients and antioxidants are of course beneficial and conducive to healthy brain performance^[3].

Read more: Top 5 Best Foods and Supplements for Brain Health

However, consumption does not only mean food, but also what we consume in an informational sense via media and the interactions we have on a daily basis. All of these factors relate to how our brain functions and the degree of plasticity that it has. A diet filled with lots of nutrients is of course necessary for overall health, and neuroplasticity is greatly enhanced when the food that’s consumed is packed with different vitamins and minerals. Foods that are rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are especially supportive of brain health and brain plasticity^[4].

Maintaining a lifestyle that is overall beneficial to the health can make all the difference when working to improve brain plasticity. Cultivating a lifestyle that makes you feel your best is key, and this will help to set the foundation for improving all the other areas of your life, such as your mental state. Doing things that bring you enjoyment, trying new things, and being mindful of your body will all make a great difference when aiming to improve your neuroplastic capacities.

The right neuroplasticity training program should be aware of how all these factors come into play with brain plasticity while providing you with guidance so you can make the best choices for your unique lifestyle. re-origin® is a program that keeps all of these aspects and then some in mind, ensuring that all the information we present to our members is reliable and backed by science. Our program is personalized for each of our members, and we work closely with highly acclaimed neuroscientists from around the globe. We’ve built a community that is centered around unwavering support, and the health and wellbeing of each of our members is of the utmost importance to us.