Playful Brain: Healthy, Happy Brain

For the last week I have been sleeping with my head at the foot of the bed. Just for a change of pace. And my brain is enjoying the novelty of it all.

From my new perspective, with my toes up next to the headboard, my brain is so engaged. The dog is snoring. The clock is ticking. The moonlight is coming in the window. But everything is upside down and backwards. How fun is that? Waking up in the middle of the night, my mind pauses. There is this exquisite moment of complete awareness while my brain puts everything into place. And this slight change in orientation makes me feel like I am waking up in a new place. Like being on vacation. Surprisingly it adds to my excitement for the new day.

Being creatures of habit, many of us hold on to the security of routine. We find it hard to change habits, in part, because of the familiarity we have developed with the old ones. Repeated habits wire the brain to form a nice groove. Everything can go on autopilot. But that groove tends to become a rut. Sometimes a really deep rut. And being in a rut stagnates growth and development.

Our brains seek the new and unusual. They long to stretch out new nerve tendrils. Explore and make new connections. They love it because it is exactly what they are designed to do. And more importantly, experiencing new things is critical in maintaining an optimally functioning, healthy, and happy brain.

As you can see from my sleeping upside down experiment, changes don’t need to be life altering. Simple, playful changes are a delightful way to keep the brain healthy and happy. Kids especially love to play these brain games – and they are sure to have a few great ideas of their own. Get the whole family involved.

Brain Game Ideas:

1.    Change up your morning routine. Brush your teeth first and then take a shower. Or take a shower in the dark and pay attention to how well your body knows your bathing routine.

2.    Eat one meal today with your non-dominant hand.

3.    If you have an “assigned” seat at family meals, switch it up. The whole room looks different from your new perspective.

4.    Have a picnic on the roof. Our family used to do this occasionally and the kids loved climbing the ladder to reach the picnic blanket (Note to CPS: it was a flat roof).

5.    Teach your dog a new trick. This is similar (but way easier!) to learning a new language. It’s not just about your dog learning your language – you have to learn your dog’s language.

6.    If you are traveling to a familiar location, i.e., work, the grocery store, the bank, don’t let your car be on autopilot. Explore a new route. Each time.

7.    Balance your checkbook with out a calculator. And double-check it just in case. ;-)

8.    Turn the TV off and spend the evening learning a new skill: knitting, playing the recorder, juggling, bicycle mechanics, whatever.

9.    I am typing this with the eraser end of two pencils. One in each hand. Try that!

Notice your routine. Bring your awareness to things you generally do without attention. And then change it up. Just for the fun of it!

Incorporating new and interesting things allows our brains to remain flexible and adaptable. We become less attached to the way things are and learn to look forward to the inevitable – change. Since change is the only constant, adaptable people are the ultimate survivors.

I would love to hear your creative ideas for brain play!

Jump and shout-
Jess