Life Changing Tips For Boomers: Rewire Your Brain To Control Your Emotions, and Make Positive Life Choices
Older adults are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety. Brain rewiring can help older adults control their emotions and make life choices that are healthy for them.
According to a recent study, the antidepressant effect of rewiring may last up to six weeks as opposed to just four weeks. Older than 50? We have some good news! As we age, our brains naturally shrink, but they also change structurally with time. This process may actually protect us from cognitive decline-at least in relation to depression-by changing the way electrical pulses are transmitted among neurons in the brain.
Studies in the past few years have revealed that brain rewiring is more than just a theory—researchers at Harvard and MIT have shown that the adult brain can continue to grow neurons, creating new connections with each other. The researchers also showed that stimulating these neurons causes them to change shape or strengthen their connection to other neurons by changing their electrical properties.
Brain rewiring involves changing the structure of new and existing neuronal connections in the brain-in short, it's about creating stronger change in your brain activity. Scientists believe this type of plasticity could be a key factor in treating mental disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and depression.
These new neurons can be found in the hippocampus, which is associated with memory and learning. How can you rewire your brain? The good news is that there are many ways to do so. For instance, you can improve your diet, engage in physical activity, or practice meditation or yoga. You can even try a little cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help yourself feel better and change your behavior for the better.
Your brain may be able to heal itself-while rewiring your emotions at the same time! We're just not sure yet how exactly that happens.
Visit the Brain Rewiring Center for more information on how your brain can change.
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The Brain Rewiring Center (http://www.brainrewiringcenter.org) by Dr. James O'Donnell of the International Institute of Neurofeedback is an excellent site for information on cognitive behavioral therapy, and rewiring of the brain. You can visit the site, and read Dr. O'Donnell's free report: "Cognitive Therapy For Depression" to learn how CBT can help reduce the risk of depression as you age. The report, in PDF format is broken down into four parts - The History and Benefits of Cognitive Therapy, Understanding Depression, Tools for Successful Treatment and A Summary of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Other useful resources on the site include:
Rewiring Your Brain - a video on neuroplasticity of the brain by Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-rewire-your-brain-2014-5?op=1
References:
Stress and brain plasticity: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3908905/ "The case of the shrinking hippocampus" by Siegel BH, Epstein R, et al: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16262496 Regeneration may be triggered by maturity of the hippocampal formation: http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/8412883 Rewiring Your Brain for Happiness - a TED Talk by Judson Brewer, MD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjQZzHB6ZuU
How your brain changes as you age: http://healthland.time....ger-age-w400569 How you can rewire your brain: http://www.brainrewiringcente...es-to-remain-young
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise in Older Adults: http://www.apa...870601_x1388.pdf Signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in older adults: https://www.nia....org/CNA/PDF/Publications/factSheet.pdf
"The case of the shrinking..." by Siegel BH, Epstein R, et al. : http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/16262496
Rewiring Your Brain for Happiness - a TED Talk by Judson Brewer, MD: https://www.youtube....watch?v=KjQZzHB6ZuU
How you can rewire your brain: http://www.brainrewiringcente...es-to-remain-young
Mental Health Benefits of Exercise in Older Adults: http://www.apa...870601_x1388.pdf
Sources for this article can be found at: http://www.brainrewiringcente...-positive-life-choices.html
Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied upon as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a licensed health care practitioner, who will take into account your individual needs and circumstances in undertaking their professional advice. The information presented in this article is merely informational and solely based on the opinion of the author. Do not use this information as a substitute for getting in touch with your healthcare provider, who will help you get to the underlying cause of your problem, provide you with any necessary tests or treatments, nor give you a proper diagnosis.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied upon as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a licensed health care practitioner, who will take into account your individual needs and circumstances in undertaking their professional advice. The information presented in this article is merely informational and solely based on the opinion of the author. Do not use this information as a substitute for getting in touch with your healthcare provider, who will help you get to the underlying cause of your problem, provide you with any necessary tests or treatments, nor give you a proper diagnosis.
Older adults are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety. Brain rewiring can help older adults control their emotions and make life choices that are healthy for them. Dr. James O'Donnell shares with you ways on how to work rewiring your brain into your daily routine.
For more information, visit: http://www.brainrewiringcente...-positive-life-choices.html
Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied upon as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a licensed health care practitioner, who will take into account your individual needs and circumstances in undertaking their professional advice. The information presented in this article is merely informational and solely based on the opinion of the author.
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The brain rewiring center is a good site for information on the brain and the importance of CBT. I especially like their five step CBT program.
Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied upon as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a licensed health care practitioner, who will take into account your individual needs and circumstances in undertaking their professional advice. The information presented in this article is merely informational and solely based on the opinion of the author. Do not use this information as a substitute for getting in touch with your healthcare provider, who will help you get to the underlying cause of your problem, provide you with any necessary tests or treatments, nor give you a proper diagnosis.