Skip to main content

Trending Now: What everyone's reading.

So… Is Your Higher Self the Same as Source?

By The Artful Woman
  Not exactly. Think of it like this: Source is the origin —pure consciousness, God/Goddess/Divine Light, whatever you want to call it. It’s the everything-and-nothing energy from which all things come. Your Higher Self is your personal bridge to Source. It’s your soul in its purest form , untainted by fear, ego, or human distortion. Your Higher Self is you , just on the zoomed-out level —the version of you that remembers the full story, all lifetimes, all lessons, all missions. So: Source is the sun. Your Higher Self is the sunbeam that still holds its essence but is uniquely you . Is Your Higher Self Your Soul? Pretty much— but here's the nuance: Your soul is eternal. It’s the part of you that has lived countless lives. Your Higher Self is like the fully awakened version of your soul —the one not currently squeezed into a human body trying to pay bills and avoid family drama. When you're in human form, you're kind of like the tip of the i...
Post a Comment

Harnessing the Brain’s Ability to Adapt: The Science of Neuroplasticity

Image
By The Artful Woman

As a stroke survivor, I’ve developed a deep fascination with the brain and its incredible ability to heal. One of the most fascinating aspects of recovery is how the brain's neurons reconnect, forming new pathways. It’s often said that "the cells that fire together wire together," meaning that when neurons repeatedly activate together, they strengthen their connections, creating new circuits. This process of neuroplasticity offers hope and highlights the brain’s remarkable capacity to adapt, learn, and recover—even after a traumatic event like a stroke.

Imagine your brain as a constantly evolving landscape, capable of reshaping itself based on your experiences, thoughts, and even injuries. This incredible ability is called neuroplasticity, a concept at the heart of modern neuroscience. Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections, allowing it to adapt and change throughout your life. Whether it's learning a new skill, recovering from an injury, or simply reshaping old patterns of thinking, neuroplasticity is at play. This blog explores the science behind neuroplasticity, how it works, the factors that influence it, and why understanding it is key to unlocking the full potential of your brain.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Brain's Adaptability:
Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is the brain's capacity to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. This means that the brain isn’t fixed; it can change its structure and function in response to experience, learning, and even injury.

Neural Connections:
Neuroplasticity involves changes at the level of neurons (brain cells) and their connections (synapses). These changes can include:

  • The formation of new synapses
  • The strengthening or weakening of existing synapses
  • Changes in the structure of neurons themselves

Key Aspects of Neuroplasticity:

  1. Lifelong Process:
    Contrary to older beliefs, neuroplasticity isn’t limited to childhood. The brain continues to be adaptable throughout adulthood.

  2. Experience-Dependent:
    Our experiences shape our brains. Learning new skills, encountering new environments, and even our thoughts and emotions can trigger neuroplastic changes.

  3. Recovery from Injury:
    Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in recovery after brain injuries, such as strokes. The brain can sometimes rewire itself to compensate for damaged areas.

  4. Learning and Memory:
    Neuroplasticity is the basis of learning and memory. When we learn something new, our brains form new neural connections.

Types of Neuroplasticity:

  • Structural Plasticity:
    This involves changes in the physical structure of the brain, such as the growth of new synapses or changes in gray matter volume.

  • Functional Plasticity:
    This involves changes in how the brain functions, such as the transfer of functions from a damaged area to an undamaged area.

Factors that Influence Neuroplasticity:

  • Learning:
    Engaging in learning activities, such as learning a new language or playing a musical instrument, promotes neuroplasticity.

  • Exercise:
    Physical activity has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity.

  • Sleep:
    Adequate sleep is essential for brain health and supports neuroplasticity.

  • Nutrition:
    A healthy diet provides the nutrients the brain needs for optimal function and plasticity.

  • Stress:
    Chronic stress can negatively impact neuroplasticity.

  • Social Interaction:
    Social interaction and connection have shown to help promote positive neuroplasticity.

Why It’s Important:

Understanding neuroplasticity has revolutionized our understanding of the brain. It has profound implications for:

  • Rehabilitation after brain injury.
  • Treatment of neurological disorders.
  • Enhancement of cognitive function.
  • Promoting healthy aging.

In essence, neuroplasticity highlights the brain’s incredible capacity for adaptation and change, offering hope for recovery and continued learning throughout life.

Reclaim your peace after a stroke. Discover trauma relief and energy healing to support your recovery. Contact me to learn more at Artful Living Coaching 

Labels:
Location: Dana Point, CA, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Breaking Free: How Clearing Limiting Beliefs Transformed My Life and Can Transform Yours

By The Artful Woman
In our journey through life, we often encounter invisible barriers—limiting beliefs that subtly dictate our actions, decisions, and perceptions. These beliefs, deeply embedded in our subconscious, can manifest as self-doubt, fear of failure, or feelings of unworthiness, hindering our personal and professional growth. Recognizing and addressing these barriers is crucial for achieving clarity and unlocking one's full potential. ​ My Personal Journey to Clarity My decision to undertake a course on clearing limiting beliefs stemmed from a personal desire to overcome the limitations that had held me back. Despite my dedication to healing and transformation, I found myself not fully where I aspired to be in life. This realization propelled me to seek tools and techniques to clear these mental and emotional blocks, aiming for a more liberated and empowered existence. ​ Empowering Techniques for Transformation Throughout the course, I encountered several powerful techniques that ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mesmerism vs. The Emotion Code: A Look at the Use of Magnets in Energy Healing

By The Artful Woman
During my training to become a hypnotherapist, I learned about Franz Anton Mesmer and his intriguing use of magnets in healing. Mesmer believed in a concept called "animal magnetism," a vital energy force he thought could be manipulated to restore balance in the body. His methods, though controversial, were an early exploration of the mind-body connection and the power of suggestion. Fast forward to today, and magnets are still being used in energy healing practices—most notably in The Emotion Code, a modern modality that claims to identify and release trapped emotions through muscle testing and magnetic energy. But how do these two approaches compare? While they both involve magnets, the philosophies behind them and their applications are vastly different. In this blog, I’ll explore the historical use of magnets in Mesmerism and contrast it with how magnets are used in The Emotion Code, shedding light on their similarities, differences, and what we can learn from both. Mesme...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Power of the Vagus Nerve: Unlocking Your Body’s Natural Healing Potential

By The Artful Woman
The vagus nerve is one of the most remarkable and powerful parts of our nervous system, but it's often overlooked. As the primary player in the parasympathetic nervous system, it helps regulate key bodily functions such as digestion, heart rate, and mood. What’s even more fascinating is how stimulating this nerve can enhance your health and well-being in profound ways. Having recently earned my certification as a Master Life Coach in Mindset, I found that understanding the vagus nerve is essential to achieving greater balance, healing, and resilience. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the core functions of the vagus nerve, why it’s so critical to your health, and how you can activate it to improve both your physical and emotional well-being. Core Function of the Vagus Nerve The vagus nerve, also known as cranial nerve X, is a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system governs the “rest and digest” response, which is essentially the opposite of the “fight o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Energy clearing or cleansing techniques.

By The Artful Woman
  For Individuals: Grounding: Connecting with the Earth's energy by walking barefoot on the grass, sitting on the ground, or visualizing roots growing from your feet into the Earth. Meditation: Focusing on the breath and cultivating a sense of inner peace can help to clear mental and emotional blockages. Visualization: Imagining white light or a cleansing energy flowing through your body can help to dissolve stagnant energy. Sound Healing: Using sounds, tones, or frequencies to clear blockages and promote healing. 5 This can include listening to calming music, chanting, or using tuning forks. Essential Oils: Diffusing or applying certain essential oils, such as lavender, sage, or eucalyptus, can create a calming and purifying atmosphere. For Spaces: Smudging: Burning herbs like sage, palo santo, or sweetgrass to cleanse the air and remove negative energy. Sound Cleansing: Using Tibetan singing bowls, bells, or chimes to create vibrations that clear stagnant energy. Salt Lam...
Post a Comment
Read more