How does the brain heal?

Our brains have an extraordinary ability to reorganize, adapt, and recover. After all, they are ever evolving!

But how do we truly harness this? Studies show frequent intermittent fasting and aerobic exercise promote neuron growth and synaptic plasticity. Meanwhile, these healthy habits reduce risk of many diseases.

Recently, I have been studying the relationship between post traumatic stress and neuroplasticity. Mindfulness/meditation sparks neuroplasticity as well from what I have read!

Want to learn more? Here’s a great intro:

https://www.worldsciencefestival.com/videos/harnessing-power-neuroplasticity-nuts-bolts-better-brains/

What is detached mindfulness?

We tend to associate mindfulness with presence and engagement, but detached mindfulness (DM) suspends conceptual processing and biased thinking. Cultivating DM provides us with a more objective meta-awareness of what is and aids us in detaching from those “sticky” thoughts.

Analyzing the data the world feeds us is important, but our aim is to strike a balance in the ways we absorb this data. I consider this a balance between processing and simply observing. This balance varies from person to person and can be realized by experimenting — making choices of how much be want to simply be, observe, and process.

Excerpt from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

“They say that before entering the ocean, the river trembles with fear. It looks back at the entire path it’s traveled, the summits, the mountains, the long and sinewy wide open path through jungles and villages, and it sees in front of it an ocean so vast, that entering it would mean to forever disappear. But there’s no other way, the river can’t return. Nobody can return. Going back is impossible in existence. The river needs to accept its nature and enter the ocean. Only by entering the ocean will the fear dilute, because only then will the river know that it’s not about disappearing into the ocean, instead it’s about becoming the ocean (Gibran).”

I encountered this today. These words resonated with me and represent where I am in my life now. We experience this cycle of fear, acceptance, and courage. At times, living with heightened awareness/engagement hurts more than avoiding does, but engaging is living. No one promised us it would be easy. May we put on our helmets because life is not fair. It’s extremely tough and I think it’s that way to show us how strong we really are!

When you hear a song and you’re like, “Damn. YES!!”

This was definitely me after hearing this Taylor Swift’s “The Man” for the first time. If you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to listen. I connected to the truth it conveys. I felt her rawness. It is an important song! And this Forbes article emphasizes. We need to be more transparent about our feelings and these issues. This song has a message with so much substance we can’t ignore. How can we be our best with these double standards? We’ve made progress, but still have a ways to go. We can focus on our goals and our self esteem, but we can’t deny reputation carries some serious weight on this planet!

Gratitude

Quick post today. This is a reminder to reflect on and appreciate the beautiful elements of life.

What gives you serenity?

For example, I’m thankful for my boyfriend, family, friends, home/community, job, and the arts for adding peace and joy to my life!

Immersion

My boyfriend and I were talking about how we wanted to increase the time we spend doing activities that provide us the benefits of meditation, mindfulness, and flow state.

Playing piano is his strongest form of moving meditation and I tap into flow while working from home when the time just flies by!

Striking a balance among these states is my safe place, but we all have different comfort zones and emotional needs. Overall, I find when I reflect on concepts like these, I alter my habits and become a better, more authentic me.

Be the Mountain

Wherever you go, there you are by Jon Kabat-Zinn has made me want to try various meditation styles other than my go-to lying-down meditation.

This week I’ll be embracing groundedness with mountain meditation. Do you enjoy this type of meditation? If so, please share your favorite guided meditations or scripts!

Putting up healthy walls

My authentic self values transparency and proximity, so establishing boundaries can be difficult for me. But people can be even more difficult. They can be unfair and just plain evil. Their negative energy and hurtful behavior (usually caused by their insecurities) can make you feel like you’re not good enough. This is the ugly side of humanity.

How do we make lemonade with those lemons?

Well, it takes time and effort, but working on setting boundaries with dysfunctional people helps us to be happier and healthier. Here are my thoughts…

1. Be selective. Try to avoid those “toxic” individuals. It is okay for you to choose and remind yourself, “I’m not going to hang with Pam because being around her is just not good for me.” Sorry to the Pams out there that are good people!

2. If you know it is safe to give someone another chance, explain how they made you feel and what you want your relationship to be like instead. Then, determine if they agree with those terms and if so, proceed with caution. Some people do make mistakes and learn from them.

3. Know abuse is never okay. It is not simply a mistake. It is a very unsafe situation and huge problem. Someone that loves you in a healthy way for both parties will want to keep you safe and will keep this in mind. You don’t owe anyone anything. You call the shots in your life.

Remember no one has any right to hurt you or your feelings. You don’t have to keep that mess your life. At times, you can solve a problem. At times, they are the problem and you can’t change people that don’t want and work to change. Set boundaries when you need to because you need to love and protect yourself more than anyone else loves and protects you. You are your #1! This may seem impossible. It is a huge undertaking. However, this is self-respect. We all need to always have it and strive to have it if we don’t. Our hearts are infinite. Valuing ourselves doesn’t make us love others any less than we do now.

Time to shine

Check out Rachel Hollis’ Instagram. Her video inspired me to write this:

Make time to pat yourself on the back. We don’t do this enough. Cheer for yourself. Accept compliments! Most compliments come from a very authentic space. It’s important for us to acknowledge accomplishments — for that value to be very much alive in our culture. I believe this because I have seen an increase in confidence lead to more production. We need to help others shine and help ourselves to shine, so we progress beautifully. What we accomplish is meaningful because it is real. There are ways to give yourself credit with humility. These values are not mutually exclusive. If you feel yourself drowning in your insecurities (we all struggle with this in one way or another), think of three positive things about yourself or your life and own those compliments. And own your amazing work!

“I can’t do this all on my own,” said too many humans.

Our culture is built on independence and competition. These are beautiful values that yield amazing fruit, but, at times, this environment leads us to experience overwhelm. When this stress strikes, do whatever you need to do in order to simmer down. It is important to relieve the tightness and heal the strain.

What makes you feel better in times like these? Soaking in a bubble bath with a candle beside you and great book in your hands? Listening to your favorite song/artist? Moving your body with a challenging work out or yoga flow? Finding peaceful stillness with meditation? Cuddling with your love? A combination of the above? All of the above like me?!

Some times we need to adventure beyond our comfort zone and some times we simply need to seek shelter, peace, and comfort. And this is okay! It is okay to need. It is completely okay to ask for help. Life is tough and awful things happen on this planet. Let’s support each other when life is hard. We are strong and that is what strong humans do. We need to take care of ourselves, but we also need to take care of our brothers and sisters.

How can we care for each other? I’m so curious to hear your thoughts!

Work-up Wednesday

Image from scontent

Experience wonder and return to your childhood (if that is a safe space for you).

Don’t be so hard on yourself or neglect your origin — the little you still living within your beautiful self!