Can You Really Rewire Your Brain To Be Happy and Successful?
Simply put YES! Your brain, no matter the age, can be rewired to help you become happier, healthier, more successful, and well just about anything else you want.
From the time our brains begin to develop in utero until the day we die, the connections among the cells in our brain recognize in response to our changing needs. This dynamic process allows us to learn and adapt to different experiences.
When we learn something new we are creating new neurological pathways which in turn rewires our brains to adapt to new circumstances. The more we repeat the new behavior the stronger the neurological pathway becomes and the easier for you to repeat it without thinking about it.
We do this unconsciously. So just imagine what you can do if you wired your brain consciously. Imagine how much happier and more satisfied with your life you could be if you could destroy self-doubt, eliminate fear of failure, create laser-like focus, and become the best version of yourself.
How would your life be different then? How would your level of confidence change? How would your relationships change? How would your career change?
How does the brain do this? Neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brains ability to form new connections and pathways and change how it’s circuits are wired. (Bergland, 2017)It’s a term used for a vast collection of different brain change and adaptation phenomena.
Neuroplasticity allows your brain to physically rewire itself.
Question. Have you ever heard or seen one of those specials on someone who experienced an amazing unexpected recover after a horrific accident, brain injury, stroke, and wonder how they did it?
One that comes to mind for me is the gentlemen from the movie “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrnes who was flying his airplane and it crashed. If you haven’t seen the movie you need to, it’s life changing.
This particular gentleman after the plane crash was completely paralyzed. His spinal cord was crushed so he couldn’t move. His swallowing reflex was destroyed so he couldn’t eat or drink. His diaphragm was destroyed so he couldn’t breath on his own.
All he could do was blink his eyes, and his doctors said that is all he would be able to do for the rest of his life.
He said he would see himself walking out of that hospital living a normal life. He said every single day he would visualize him healthy, walking out of that hospital, and living a normal life.
And guess What? 8 months later, after the doctors said he would be a vegetable and that he would need machines to help him breathe for the rest of his life, he walked out of the hospital on his own two feet.
I absolutely love stories like these. They give me goosebumps up my arms every time I hear them.
Stories like this one and so many others like it seem to only have one explanation….magic. Right? Like how in the world did they overcome that?
Although it may seem inexpiable, scientists have been hard at work over the last few decades studying and analyzing these cases and have discovered the explanation behind the magic: neuroplasticity- the rewiring of the brain!
Now that we know that you can rewire your brain the BIG question is…. How do you do it?
The answer…..By changing your mindset through practices such as meditation, visualization, focus, gratitude, the 3 “R” Technique, and short positive visual/auditory training.
Working with a mindset coach is the best and quickest way, but it can be done on your own with a little time, consistency, and accountability.
There are many ways you can begin to rewire your brain from negative to positive, from lack to abundance, from out of control to in control and I’m going to give you 5 Powerful Ways To Rewire Your Brain To Be Happier, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.
1. Visualization. Visualization is one of the most powerful ways to rewire your brain. You see, your brain does not know the difference from the past or present, truth or lie. All it knows is the here and now.
This is why you can think of a past negative experience and feel all those same emotions; anger, frustration, hurt, disbelief, discomfort, betrayal like it just happened. It is also why you can think of a positive experience and fell all those same emotions; happiness, joy, laughter, calmness, peaceful, love, powerful like it just happened.
You brain literally gives you what you tell it and show it by the words you say to yourself and the pictures you make in your head.
So, the first exercise is to visualize for 5 minutes everyday right when you wake up. Visualize how you want your day to go and it and you being perfectly happy. And Smile while you do this exercise. Do this everyday for 30 days.
2. Gratitude. Think about it for a moment, if you are not grateful for what you have then why should you be given more? If you do not have gratitude in your life then happiness will be missing also.
You must understand that consciously being thankful for what you have will allow your mind to see other things in your life to be thankful for. The more you are thankful the more you will be given to be thankful for. You can not out give or out thank God.
The next exercise is to write down or say aloud 5 things you are grateful for before you go to bed at night. Do this everyday for 30 days.
3. Exercise. There have been countless studies done that show those who are more active have greater feelings of happiness, enthusiasm, and excitement about their lives. Exercise releases serotonin and endorphins (the happy drugs) inside your body that create a sense of happiness and satisfaction. And not to mention your body will begin to look even better making you feel better also. A win-win.
The best part? It doesn’t take much. You can simple go for a walk three times a week or exercising at the house three times a week and it can rewire your brain to be more positive and happy.
4. Set A Goal Every Single Day. Set a goal everyday that is realistic and achievable such as visualizing for 5 minutes, going on a walk, or meditating.
Everyone needs purpose in life. What is life without meaning and purpose right? And this simple exercise will wire, or rewire, your brain to bring purpose. Not saying you don’t have purpose, what I’m saying is by giving yourself a goal everyday that is achievable, when you achieve that goal you feel great about the day’s accomplishment. You feel you have accomplished what you have set out to achieve. It builds confidence and motivation. It builds more happiness in your life.
This exercise is easy and can build on the other 4 exercises. Set a goal every single day for 30 days and accomplish it.
5. Watch or Listen To Something Positive Everyday. This one is simple. I’m sure you watch a video or two a day on YouTube, Facebook, TicTok, Instagram, or one of the other countless platforms. This time I want you to consciously choose a positive, happy, motivational video.
I personally go to YouTube and search “motivational video compilation”. By watching and listening to something positive everyday you begin to rewire your brain to see, hear, and feel motivated, positive, confident, and happy. Combining the with visualization in the morning and gratitude at night is a powerful weapon sure to rewire your brain for happiness and success.
Watch or listen to 2-10 minutes of motivational videos daily for 30 days.
These 5 exercise are simple in application but provide substantial life changing effects. If you want to change your life for the better, feel happier than you ever have, and become the best version of yourself then begin to rewire your brain now! Your future self will thank you.