It’s that time of year again. Depending on where you live, the grass is already green, flowers in bloom and the winter nights have faded to spring’s ever lengthening sunsets. Maybe spring is not so evident in the climate where you live. Still looking at mounds of dirty brown snow frozen in the parking lot? I’m constantly checking for that first shy crocus to brave late season flurries and bring a splash of colour to the monochrome landscape.
There’s a lot of activity afoot underground at this time of year. Few of us can claim to be experts on the science of migration or photosynthesis yet these phenomena bring about the constant cycle of spring. It’s the observation of nature at work that has me contemplating another unseen and amazing scientific process – neuroplasticity.
The first time I ever heard of Neuroplasticity was during my long months of neurological rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury. Firstly, let me say, I was working my way through speech therapy, struggling with the simplest pronunciations so the word Neuroplasticity was far beyond my capabilities!! It came out sounding like the childhood game of trying to say New York New York as fast as you could. My very kind and patient Neuropsychologist was the one to expound more on the subject. It was a distressing time for me. I felt so much of who I had been was gone and I couldn’t fathom what my future would look like. He explained Neuroplasticity as the brain’s ability to make new pathways, to compensate for areas that have been damaged. He likened it to rivers that burst their banks in flood season. We see the destructive force of nature as it radically changes the landscape. When the water subsides that river may take a very different course carrying soil rich with nutrients which in turn creates new areas for growth.
Perhaps the best example I could give of neuroplasticity is my lived experience. I was very much an efficient Type A personality. I was not a “crafty Mom” so imagine my surprise when over the months of recovery that followed injury, I found myself intrigued with scents, colours and shape. This led to an experiment in soap making and I was hooked! I had never experienced the need for creative release before but now it was completely therapeutic. Discovering this new talent gave me the confidence to move ahead and try new challenges.
According to researchers, the three ingredients for keeping your brain “plastic” are challenge, novelty and focused attention. As you marvel at nature’s new life all around, remember our amazing brains are capable of new growth too! This is the perfect season to plant that seed of new activity, strengthen the roots of healthy lifestyle and stay mindful of the beauty around you.
~Debra Erickson
Other Resources:
How Does Neuroplasticity Work?
Neuroplasticity and Healthy Aging: What You Need to Know
