In the following article, Tom Corley talks about the importance of habits and how adopting bad habits hurts our performance. Additionally he tells us 3 Habits our brain loves.
Bad habits harm our brain and deteriorate it. We can see the results when we suffer from the following.
But don’t worry, the intention of this article is to help you.
I have spent the last eleven years of my life studying the daily habits of those who succeed in life and those who don’t. All those who are successful share certain habits that improve brain function, increase your IQ, improve memory, and speed up your thinking. They have even been shown to increase the size of your brain by attaching new cells and making them stronger.
In my study, I discovered some very interesting facts about how successful individuals can improve brain function.
Also read: How to activate the brain in the morning to have incredible days
Neuroplasticity.
Neuroplasticity is the process in which the brain changes and transforms over time. Our brains have impressive powers of neuroplasticity. We see this reflected in the changes it undergoes until reaching adulthood.
When we create a new habit, neuroplasticity occurs. Our brains re-wire themselves. By changing our behavior or by changing the way we think, we change our brains.
None of us is trapped in the circumstances of life because of our DNA. The good news is that we can change.
We have the power to be smarter. Neuroplasticity can allow any human being (rich or poor) to change their circumstances; simply by changing their behaviors and their thoughts.
Therefore, we all have the ability to succeed; regardless of our age, gender, social position, religion, etc.
3 habits that our brain loves.
Find below 3 habits that our brain loves. They will be like a fertilizer for your success.
1. Read to learn 30 minutes a day.
88% of the individuals in my study read to learn at least 30 minutes a day. Remember that you can read a novel to entertain yourself, but we mean read to learn.
That is, reading to gain knowledge about your career, your life, your business or something you are passionate about. In my study, this reading included current events (94%), educational material (79%), biographies of other successful people (58%), history (51%), or self-help (55%).
86% read two or more educational books per month and 63% listened to audiobooks. These data were acquired through interviews with hundreds of millionaires.
Likewise, I interviewed hundreds of individuals in not so favorable situations. 98% did not have the habit of reading. Find below more statistics related to the reading habits of this second group:
- 74% said they hated reading.
- 85% said they did not read books.
- 89% said they did not read about current events or news.
- 94% said they did not read anything educational.
- 79% of those who read said they did so strictly for entertainment.
- 84% had never read about history.
- 93% had never read a self-improvement book.
What happens to our brain when we start reading and learning daily?
When we learn something new, our brain releases a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The release of BDNF has the effect of turning on a part of the brain called basal nucleus.
When the basal nucleus is turned on, a chemical called acetylcholine. The purpose of acetylcholine is to stimulate neurons to talk to each other. When neurons begin to communicate, a new synapse is created.
Then the basal nucleus is turned off by this same protein (BDNF) and this new neural connection is locked (sealed off, so to speak) and the new learning becomes a memory.
The more we review what we learn, the stronger this new neural connection becomes and the easier it is to remember that information.
BDNF is fertilizer for the brain. Its purpose is to help nerve cells (ie neurons, also known as brain cells) to grow. When we create the habit of reading and learning something on a daily basis, we activate this basal nucleus, create more neural connections (synapses), and therefore our brains grow and we become smarter.
The more synapses we have, the less likely we are to fall victim to Alzheimer’s disease; especially if we continue with good habits after the age of sixty.
Below you will find some articles that will help you to read more.
2. Exercise every day.
You’re probably sick of hearing about the benefits of aerobic exercise (running, jogging, jumping rope, elliptical, biking, etc.) But we can’t deny its importance. Exercising is one of the habits that our brain loves.
These are some of its benefits:
- Aerobic exercise stimulates the production of erythropoietin (EPO). EPO is responsible for the creation of new red blood cells in the bone marrow. The new red blood cells have more hemoglobin, which allows them to carry more oxygen to the body. Oxygen = fuel for the brain, tissues and muscles. Exercise increases the ability of red blood cells to fuel our brain.
- Additionally, aerobic exercise activates an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres. Telomeres are like caps at the end of each chromosome. Telomeres control the number of times a cell can divide. Cells that lose their telomeres die. When cells die we age. Exercise, therefore, increases the lifespan of cells; allowing brain cells to live longer, keeping our brain young.
- Exercising also increases the volume of nerve tissue in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Exercise increases your ability to remember and learn.
- Finally, aerobic exercise increases neurogenesis. Neurogenesis = the growth of brain cells and synapses.
In my analysis, those millionaires I interviewed exercised an average of 30 minutes a day, four days a week.
For the most part, those individuals in less favorable situations stated that they had no interest in the exercise. In fact, 77% did not do any type of exercise.
When we do aerobic exercise, we increase blood flow throughout the body.
The main purpose of blood in the body is to carry nutrients (glucose and oxygen) to cells and transport waste through our lungs in the form of carbon dioxide. This means more nutrients for the brain and more waste removal.
Also read: How to increase motivation to exercise.
3. Learn a new skill every 6 months.
Every time you engage in a new activity and then practice it, your brain changes. It is another habit that our brain loves.
Each repetitive activity requires the creation of neural connections. When we repeat new activities, neurons form permanent connections, thus increasing the size of our brains.
It is vital that older people engage in new activities to keep their brains active and avoid stagnation; something that usually accompanies retirement.
Those who want to develop their brains must engage in a new activity every six months and repeat it until it becomes a new skill. Each new activity that becomes a skill builds brain mass and keeps our mind active and healthy.
Also read: 20 hours is all you need to master any skill.
Conclusion.
The 3 habits our brain loves are easy to adopt and incredibly beneficial for your life. Do not forget that like all new habits, you must be consistent, since only then will you see results.
Many successes!
And remember that if you are really interested in creating your own business, you can purchase our book “How to create a company while working: Discover how to manage your time, manage your money and motivate yourself while creating a company and working for another” , where you will find all the information you need to found your own company, without having to leave your job.
This article was originally published on richhabits.net. Its translation and publication in ModoEmprendedor has been authorized directly by the author and cannot be reproduced by any other means.
