Seven ways to support positive change

You can change! That’s the good news. However, change usually takes more than simply being shown how or ‘retraining’ the brain. It can involve awareness, repeated practice, supportive circumstances and patience.

Do your thoughts sometimes stop you? Does your motivation feel low?

Don’t beat yourself up. Self-criticism rarely makes change easier.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the nervous system’s ability to adapt by changing its activity, structure or connections in response to learning, experience, environmental influences or injury.

Scientists once believed that the adult brain was largely fixed after childhood. We now understand that it can continue to adapt throughout adulthood. In other words, there is some truth in the idea that an old dog really can learn new tricks.

This ability to adapt has important consequences. It means that we can continue learning new skills, developing new habits and changing how we respond to familiar situations.

However, neuroplasticity does not mean that every change is possible through positive thought alone or that changing an established habit will always be easy. Our behaviour may also be influenced by our health, circumstances, environment, relationships, resources and previous experiences.

Habits can be difficult to change because familiar responses have often been repeated many times. A different response may initially require conscious effort and practice before it begins to feel more natural.

Our thoughts and beliefs can influence our emotions and actions, but they do not control every part of our lives. Becoming more aware of them may help us decide which thoughts are useful and how we want to respond.

Help yourself to understand you. Have fun with this. It can become an observational game rather than another reason to criticise yourself.

Seven ways to notice and respond to your thoughts

1. Before you go to sleep, say an affirmation which makes you feel good.
2. When you wake up, notice your first thoughts. Maybe record them.
3. Recall the affirmation and say it again.
4. As you shower, notice how you are being, send love to yourself and say something positive.
5. Are you still being kind to yourself half an hour later?
6. Keep in a positive frame of mind and notice if that changes and why.
7. Be in charge of your thoughts as you begin your day, even if there are challenges at home, on the journey or once at work.