Healthy habits are attainable. Here’s the truth: you can rewire your brain for new routines at any age–if you know how to crack the code.
Bad Habits are No Match for Neuroplasticity
Every time we learn a new skill, our brain restructures to adapt to the new stimulus or routine. The scientific name for this is neuroplasticity, and it’s the great equalizer in the battle against bad habits.
When you consistently engage in new behaviors and patterns, you forge fresh neural pathways that train your brain to trade old habits for new, healthier ones. As you continue to nurture and reinforce these positive habits–whether eating more vegetables or becoming a 6 am workout person–they become deeply ingrained in your neural circuits, ultimately leading to a changed brain.
Nourish Your Neurons and Flex Your Willpower
Your brain wants to eat just as much as your body does. Factoring brain health into your diet is essential for optimizing cognitive function and supporting neuroplasticity. Some vital nutrients that make your mind happy include:
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds all contain essential fats that improve memory and reduce inflammation.[*]
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants like vitamins c and e combat oxidative stress to safeguard brain cells and boost cognitive function. Eating a colorful range of fruits and vegetables is a surefire way to up your antioxidant intake.
- B vitamins: Lean meats, legumes, and leafy greens have the B vitamins we need to optimize the production of neurotransmitters and maintain healthy cognition.[*]
Grow a Bigger, Healthier Brain
The science tells us that healthy brains are capable of learning throughout life, especially when they are stimulated by regular exercise. Even older folks suffering from mild levels of cognitive decline stand to improve their brain structure and function with aerobic activity.
According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, regular exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the mind that controls verbal memory and learning. Another peer-reviewed study from the Journal of Sport and Health Science showed that aerobic exercise like HIIT activates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the molecule that helps repair and make new brain cells. BDNF is linked to the neuroplasticity and neural connectivity you need to turn healthy ambitions into healthy habits.
Become The Good Kind of Brainwashed at Body Machine Fitness
Finding a workout you genuinely enjoy is the shortcut to rewiring your brain for better habits. Body Machine Fitness’ science-backed fitness classes light up the motivation centers of your brain, so you start to crave exercise rather than avoid it.
By leveraging the interplay of lights, sound, and sweat, our classes induce a high state of arousal that taps into the brain’s reward and pleasure circuits to produce dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. In short, your brain will start chasing that same high and motivate you to sign up for a daily group fitness class in Plano or Ft. Worth.
Tiny Habits, Big Gains
Take that first step to a new healthy habit. Your first class is on us! Sign up for a free group fitness class today!