Do you know what neuroplasticity is?
- Melinda Sanchez
- Dec 13, 2024
- 3 min read
How Hard Is It for You to Build New Habits or Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?
How many times have you tried to make a change in your life? Change is often something we find incredibly challenging. Today, we’re going to learn why it’s so difficult and how neuroplasticity can help us navigate change more effectively.
Neuroscience applied to change is one of my specialties. Understanding how our brain works in tandem with our body during a process of change is something I’ve studied extensively—and continue to study—to better assist my coaching clients in their journeys. Typically, coaching aims to achieve a goal, improve an aspect of life, or deprogram old patterns. For this, managing change is crucial: learning what you want to add to your life while unlearning outdated habits or patterns.
The Role of Neuroplasticity
In this process of learning to unlearn, neuroplasticity plays a key role. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to change and adapt based on the experiences we live. As we accumulate experiences, our brain evolves, regenerating its neural connections to integrate these new experiences.
This is why neuroplasticity is the foundation of learning—it’s what allows us to acquire new skills, learn a new language, or do things differently. When we try something new or do it differently, the brain creates new neural connections. With practice, those connections become stronger, making the task easier over time.
An Example in Coaching
Take Patricia, for instance. She’s concerned about how much importance she gives to work-related matters—sometimes even taking them personally—and she wants to stop giving them so much weight. Her goal is to better contextualize and downplay work-related issues.
After several coaching sessions, Patricia starts to work on becoming aware of the emotions triggered by certain situations at work and begins to respond to those situations differently. She learns to manage her emotions in a way that helps her achieve her goal. Neuroplasticity is key in this learning process.
The more Patricia practices emotional management, the easier it becomes. Her brain’s new neural connections start to strengthen. These connections are wrapped in a substance called myelin, which thickens with repeated use, making the electrical impulses between neurons faster and more efficient.
Tips for Activating Neuroplasticity
Starting to do things differently isn’t easy, but we can exercise and enhance our neuroplasticity. Here’s how:
Connect with the excitement of change:Ask yourself, Why do I want to change? What benefits will I gain? How will this improve my life?
Create a plan with small, short-term goals:Take incremental steps toward your purpose.
Awaken your curiosity:Stay open to learning about everything related to your goal. Curiosity keeps us engaged and helps our neurons work harder and better.
Share your goal with someone supportive:Talk to someone who listens without judgment, someone you can connect with. Research shows these kinds of conversations activate our brain like a Christmas tree lighting up.
Take life less seriously:Laugh more—especially at yourself. Laughter stimulates the brain and provides numerous other health benefits.
Exercise regularly:Physical activity has been scientifically proven to boost neurogenesis—the creation of new neurons—which facilitates learning.
Ready to Start?
I invite you to start with something simple—something you want to do differently. Remember, practice is essential, and give yourself the time needed for your brain to strengthen those neural connections.
What do you think—are you up for the challenge?
Image by Freepik
Melinda Sánchez Coach
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