What is neuroplasticity?

Very broad and basic: It is your brain’s ability to change and adapt through information it receives. It is your brain’s ability to change or create habits.

Neurons in your brain both send and receive signals to the rest of your body. This is in both your thoughts as well as physical movement. Your mind and body are completely intertwined.

Through various ways you can adjust and even create new neural pathways, both beneficial and harmful to your mind and body.

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Adaptive Behaviors (beneficial)‍ ‍

Giving yourself tools to manage the ups and downs of life in the moment, while also building resilience for the long term management of stresses.

These strategies/habits tell your brain ‘this is a good fix, I am feeling relief’ and the more this behavior is used, you begin to solidify that neural pathway, so your brain then begins telling your body “hey we should do this to feel better”.

For example:

  • Time management

  • Allowing change

  • Meditation

  • Listening to your body

  • Problem Solving

Maladaptive behaviors (harmful)

These are things that give the illusion it is making it easier for you in the moment, but are actually harming you long term and creating more stressors.

These strategies/habits tell your brain “this is a good fix, I am feeling relief” and the more this behavior is used, you begin to solidify that neural pathway, so your brain then begins telling your body “hey we should do this to feel better”.

For example:

  • Substance abuse

  • Overeating/undereating

  • Avoidance

  • Hyper fixation

  • Doom scrolling

How does somatic work fit in?

We use somatic work to reinforce adaptive behaviors so that we not only improve our current reality, but also help us be better prepared for what life sends our way.

  • We bring intention to our thoughts and actions

  • We look to our bodies to educate our minds

  • We use breathwork to calm or activate our energy

  • We use strategic movements to activate our vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system

  • We try new ways of looking at the same thing

We use these types of tools repeatedly, to fortify the neural pathways that will help us live a balanced and connected life.