Have you ever had the feeling that your mind simply cannot keep up with the demands of modern life? You’re not by yourself! Our minds were not designed to handle the continuous balancing act of work, errands, and an abundance of information.
The good news is that BBC science correspondent Melissa Hogenboom examines in her series Brain Hacks how remarkable it is for our brains to change and develop.
Hogenboom delves deeply into “neuroscientific hacks” that maintain mental acuity and fortify brain connections. She even tried a six-week brain-altering course to really put herself to the test!
Hogenboom explores the practice of mindfulness meditation in the first installment of the series. She talks about doing two or three 15-minute sessions of guided meditation a day for 30 minutes total.
She also collaborates with a clinical psychology professor to gain further insight into the scientific basis of these methods.
Therefore, if you’re feeling overburdened, don’t give up! Your brain’s capacity for learning and adaptation is incredible. Watch Brain Hacks to learn what Hogenboom learns about “rewiring” your brain to become a more focused and aware version of yourself!
Our constantly cluttered minds might be a double-edged sword. Professor Thorsten Barnhofer of BBC’s Brain Hacks cautions that while occasional daydreaming might be beneficial, it can also become problematic. Stress chemicals like cortisol surge when our minds become caught in recurrent patterns of anxiety and ruminating. The brain’s capacity for adaptation and learning, known by scientists as neuroplasticity, can actually be harmed by high cortisol levels. Melissa Hogenboom, a science correspondent for the BBC, states that “stress is a direct inhibitor of neuroplasticity.”
However, there is still hope! Hogenboom examines the ways that mindfulness meditation can help reduce this stress. Studies indicate that even a few months of consistent practice can result in decreased anxiety and depressive symptoms. This seems supported by her personal experience.