Curiosity may have more to do with how the human brain “rewires” itself to its environment than being a mere quirk, a King’s College London neuroscientist suggests.
In her piece on Big Think, Anne-Laure Le Cunff of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience explained that the brain bursts to life when it’s curious. Besides stimulating it with the promise of a reward and enhancing its memory functions, curiosity pushes the brain to rewire or restructure itself in response to changes to its surroundings. (1)
Le Cunff refers to the rewiring process as neuroplasticity, an indispensable trait for never-ending learning. In a way, every milestone in human history can be attributed to the brain changing to adapt to a new environment and house new knowledge. The wheel began with someone thinking: “What if there was a better way to move stuff?”
However, the scientific community concurs that neuroplasticity can be pushed to its limit through action on one’s part. Here are some ways you can rewire your brain for new skills.
Learn From Experience
When people say “experience is the best teacher,” that isn’t just because it’s a cool quote. Neuroplasticity relies on experiences to reorganize neurons and their neural connections, known as synapses. The latter is especially crucial.
Ross Cunnington, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of Queensland’s School of Psychology, explains that brain rewiring for further learning entails changing the synapses in one of two processes.
- Synaptogenesis: The brain creates new synapses between neurons, enhancing the transfer of signals crucial to developing skills.
- Long-term potentiation: The brain strengthens existing neural pathways based on recent activity, boosting signal transmission between neurons.
Amid the jargon you just read, the takeaway here is that experiences enhance the billions of connections in your brain. Think of it as the brain building new roads or fixing damage in old ones, both of which allow for a faster and smoother journey. Much has yet to be fully understood, but Cunnington says these processes are at the root of continuous learning.
While humans learn from experience every day, this includes learning from experiences they’ve yet to encounter. Taking masterclass courses from online learning resources such as TSH Masterclass is a great example. It lets you learn from others’ experiences, which you can then pass on to others later in life.
Exercise Mindfulness
The American Psychological Association defines mindfulness as being aware of present experiences and surroundings and accepting them without much judgment. Many studies have found that mindfulness delivers a range of benefits, from reducing pain to easing the symptoms of anxiety and depression over time.
To show how mindfulness affects the brain, BBC science journalist Melissa Hogenboom took a free mindfulness course. Developed by a professor of clinical psychology at the University of Surrey, the nine-session course taught her everything from paying attention on purpose to engaging in daily life.
In her piece published in 2023, she stated that her mind started to wander during breaks in each session. Most people wouldn’t be aware of this under normal circumstances, but she realized that such a habit could be disruptive if allowed to intensify. (2)
Long story short, focusing on the present helps clear the mind of stress and regulates brain functions. Mindfulness exercises like mindfulness meditation register changes in regions that control pain tolerance, complex thought, and emotion, among others.
Mindfulness is also a key part of personal development. In fact, some courses on the topic may entail activities that train you to exercise restraint to help you make more informed life choices. Consider enrolling in a free PDP webinar to experience it for yourself.
Make Health Your Priority
No topic on nurturing brain development can be complete without talking about promoting good brain health. More than a place that lets a person think and make informed decisions, the brain is the control center for all bodily functions.
You don’t have to look far and wide for tips on improving mental health. Like any other organ, the brain benefits from the tried-and-true triad of:
| Well-Rounded DietScientists link good brain health to increased intake of leafy green veggies, fish, berries, and nuts. Coffee and tea are also beneficial, though only if you need a short-term boost. (3) | Regular ExerciseBrisk walking or engaging in any physical activity for 30 minutes a day is known to lower the risk of mental decline. For more rigorous activities, 15 minutes a day is enough. (4) | Adequate SleepThe brain remains active during sleep as it maintains certain functions. Getting at least seven hours of sleep a day is essential in repairing damage and consolidating memories. (5) |
Think of Success
The brain is hardwired toward negativity as a means of survival, which is why reactions to negative experiences tend to be more intense than positive ones. It’s normal for people to hesitate, if not avoid, taking risks when faced with unfamiliar situations.
Negative bias, as the scientific community calls it, is not without its downsides. According to the American Brain Foundation, maintaining a negative bias for too long increases anxiety or depression, either of which can lead to stress. Trying to learn new skills under such poor conditions can be grueling, if not impossible.
When this survival mechanism isn’t needed, it pays to maintain positive affirmations. One example involves visualizing success in learning new skills and later applying them. You can do this by adopting the following practices:
- Putting realistic goals into writing
- Building a network of professionals
- Treating failure as a learning experience
- Replacing bad habits with good ones
It also helps to manage your daily routine according to your own rhythm. This will make your efforts worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Contrary to popular belief, the brain doesn’t stop developing after a certain age. It’s always busy reorganizing its neurons and synapses in response to experiences and changes in the environment. Take this chance to keep on learning and maintain proper mental health.
