According to recent findings in neuroscience, every thought we have causes not only a biological change in the brain, but a change in how the brain operates. This is true whether we have positive or negative thoughts. If we think a specific thought often enough, these small changes will combine to create an actual neural pathway in the brain. Neural pathways are the foundations for habits and behaviours: Simply having the same repetitive thoughts will cause us to behave in corresponding ways.
In fact, researchers have shown that negative thoughts actually cause our brains to “dysfunction.” The more we get stuck in negative thinking, the more difficult it becomes to stop the process. Ongoing negative thinking actually causes some parts of the brain, such as the hippocampus (which plays a role in memory and the regulation of emotions), to shrink and slows the formation of new neural pathways. This effectively keeps us trapped in our own negativity.
What is interesting about this research is that it did not matter in which direction the thoughts flowed. Thoughts created by external events (witnessing a negative event and focusing on it) had the same impact as thoughts created internally by deliberately imagining the event. The research went on to indicate that those of us who are more optimistic and positive actually have more brain activity in certain areas of the frontal lobe than those of us who think negatively.
This is an especially important concept for executives, entrepreneurs, and business people. There are no shortages of stressors, setbacks, and challenges in the business world. Focusing on these negative situations can cause our brains to change the way they function. In essence, how we think shaped our businesses when we began. Then, as we experience the realities of business, our thoughts and experiences begin in turn to shape our brains. How much emphasis we put on positive and negative experiences determines which biological changes and new pathways we develop.
Emphasis placed primarily on negative experiences (how hard it is to make it out there) can result in the negativity trap outlined earlier. I think this is part of the reason why so many people become discouraged and bitter about business and life. Once caught in the discouragement cycle, it is a downward spiral in every aspect.
So, how do we create a brain that is good for our business? Neuroscience has now shown that when we enter a relaxed state, visualize an event, and talk to ourselves about the positive meaning of the event, our brain will restructure itself. This is where I make another shameless plug for hypnotherapy: For those of you who have never experienced hypnosis before, it consists of entering a relaxed state, visualizing an event, and talking to ourselves about the positive meaning of the event.
Sometimes, it is helpful, and even necessary, to have an outside person such as a hypnotherapist facilitate this process. However, there are many things we can do ourselves to create positive neural pathways. Below are some suggestions on how we can keep our brains in positive, good-for-business shape!
- Watch your diet: Yes, it is the basis of everything. Certain foods are considered brain foods. Vitamins such as A, B, C, D, and E, and the minerals calcium and magnesium, are especially good. Amino acids and omega oils have also been shown to impact brain health. (Consult a health practitioner for more information.)
- Exercise regularly: Yes, it is also the basis of everything. It reduces stress and keeps every part of us healthy.
- Do brain teasers: Puzzles such as sudoku and crosswords keep our brains limber.
- Stop negative thinking: Cultivate the ability to redirect thoughts to positive areas.
- Practice meditation and mindfulness: Research has shown that mediation and mindfulness practices not only reduce stress, but actually help strengthen the happiness centers of the brain. It seems as though those Buddhist monks were on to something! Research has shown that meditation actually develops the areas of the brain responsible for emotional control.
- Turn off your TV: Read, enjoy a hobby, or have a stimulating conversation. Apparently, watching TV reduces brain activity to the same level as staring at a blank wall while thinking about nothing. (This is a different state than that created by meditation, which increases activity in certain areas).
- Visualize: Create positive thoughts through imagination. Spend time each day imaging a successful and profitable business.
- Self-Hypnosis: (OK, you knew it had to be here somewhere) Learning self-hypnosis is one of the best techniques for shaping our brains. It has more positive outcomes than I can list here. It is a fabulous technique we can apply to every aspect of our lives, businesses, relationships, hobbies, and health.
The brain is proving itself to be more flexible than was ever realized. It takes much less time and effort to create helpful pathways then we once thought. Happy restructuring!
References:
Train Your Brain to Get Happy; Aubele, Wenck & Reynolds
The Brain That Changes Itself; Doidge, Norman
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