TRAIN YOUR BRAIN

 TRAIN YOUR BRAIN

Recently, I listened to two podcasts that talked about how to train our brains to help set our moods for the day. Also, it will help with anxiety issues. Everything was actually based on scientific research by well-known neurologists. I found it fascinating. Although I have not taken the steps to train my own brain for all 30 to 60 days, I am working on it, and I can already see some positive results.

Every day, our brains are being trained. The real question is, are you the one doing the training, or are the headlines, a painful rejection, past mistakes doing the training? Without even being aware of it, everything around us can determine our mood for the day. So much so that some of us find it hard to even get out of bed, much less with a smile on our face or feeling good.

If each of us woke up and had a one-minute pep talk with ourselves, we would feel more in control. I found that this kind of thinking, before my feet hit the ground, really did help to give me inspiration and set the tone for my day. Wouldn't it feel great to be in a good mood for no particular reason? What is amazing to me is that research backs this up. Brain scans have proven that people feel better when their brains are trained to think more positively. Being aware of good opportunities, having more confidence, knowing that small wins add to the bigger ones, plus stopping the pressure to try to be perfect is empowering.

There are 8 little statements to say to yourself each morning that take all of 1 minute to say.

#1 - Today is going to be a great day. 

You may ask, "Why is it going to be a great day?" Perhaps you are going to a funeral? In your brain, you can direct it to this funeral and hug others a little longer, be there for those around you. Or speak about the loved one and all of the loving memories that you have of this person. It can become a celebration of life. You end up having a better day along with those with whom you came in contact. It is a win-win.

Maybe you wake up and brace yourself for what you may be facing at work or something with your family? It is time to direct your mind to look for the positive, not mean self-talk! The old saying of "Garbage in - Garbage out." is what computer techs use. Well, our minds need the garbage out and more positivity put in by taking control of our brains. "Negativity out and positivity in!"

#2 Something cool is going to happen to me.

While saying this, we may not know what specific thing is going to happen to us, but the anticipation? It is being aware that something could be right in front of our noses, and the day becomes an adventure instead of a nightmare. An example could be a text from a long-time friend that you have not heard from. You may bump into a classmate that you have not seen in a coffee shop. This is training our brain to LOOK for the good things that happen. Having a good attitude for no particular reason helps. It seems that we could have a bad attitude for no particular reason. Remember that it is a learned skill to look for good things. We deserve to be in a good mood every day. By default, our brains go to the dark side. It is all about how we talk to ourselves. 

An example would be to ask yourself, "What do you say when you do something wrong?" Do you say, "You idiot?" Or you trip over something and you say, "How clumsy!" That is how our brain defaults to a bad attitude. The best skill to develop is to train our brains to default to a good attitude for no particular reason, because it helps us handle stress and get through life.

#3  No matter what happens today, I can handle it.

If you are a worrier, full of anxiety, it is because it is a moment of uncertainty where you doubt your ability to handle the situation. If we train our brains, it becomes a game-changer. Summon up your resilience.  An example of this could be finding a note from your boss that she needs to see you at 1:00. You may (probably) go into worrying mode about what you must have done wrong - assuming the worst. Training your brain to know that you can handle whatever comes your way helps you to weather it better - no matter what it may be. If you wake up with your heart already palpitating, then your whole body becomes tense. This suggests that we need to train our brains to start each day with a positive mindset. We can handle it. 

Research on this topic shows that cortisol or the CAR increases alertness for the day. It can feel like a sense of dread, so you begin to doubt yourself. You just want to cover your head and go back to bed. BUT, we all have the power to train our brains to have a good day and we can handle it!

#4  An exciting new chapter in my life is starting today.

This makes our brains look for a fresh start. Don't get stuck in the same routine. Examples are things like updating a resume, going home a different way, taking a walk, stopping off at a coffee shop, and saying hello and smiling at everyone. It trains our brains to change and start new and fresh beginnings. In our brains, there is a filter. In the scientific world, this is called RAS. It helps to filter out information that we don't need, or else our brains would explode with all of the information going in. This means we train our brains to filter in positive information and kick out the negative. What we focus on will be all positive if we use repetition. This is the way to train our brains. 

#5  I need to give myself more credit for how hard I'm trying.

Focusing on the things that we may have done wrong is NOT going to help. Become your own cheerleader. Stop dragging yourself down. You don't need others to validate you. If you get up and go to the gym, then good for you. Tell yourself, "Good Job!" If others are not acknowledging this fact, then just let them. This will fuel your desire to do more. Saying these statements out loud, in your head, or even writing them down is the repetition that you need to train your brain. Remember that it takes 30-60 days of training.

Develop the skill to be in a good mood, and now is the time to start re-wiring your brain. Just think about how long it took you to develop your brain to doubt everything you do and focus on the bad attitudes. (basically all of your life up to this point) After 30-60 days, your brain will be on autopilot.  Waking up to check texts on our phones is not in the program of reprogramming our brains.

#6  I'm allowed to be a work in progress.

If you struggle and put things off because you want it to be perfect, this is for you. It is ok not to be perfect. Give your brain training and tell it that you don't have to have all of the answers. Tell yourself that you can figure it out. 

#7  If I keep showing up, life will reward me.

Let's face it. It is easy to put your head down and do "the reps." Just over and over - therefore, it is also easy to just quit. The reps can be boring, but if we keep showing up, life will eventually reward us. Think of all the people, from authors to actresses, to musicians...they all did not make it overnight. They did keep showing up and plugging away. And they were rewarded. Keep going. Show your stamina!

#8  I have an important contribution to make to the world.

We all know something that matters. It affirms your deep belief in yourself, your ideas, and your actions. They have powerful and rippling effects. Speak to the barista, speak to the doorman, the server, the janitor...The way you move through life is person to person. Being kind, sharing kindness starts with your energy and attitude.

Be intentional about having a good day and having a good attitude. You will be surprised at how much your anxiety level goes down and how much happier you will be!