Shad Helmstetter Ph.D. - The Power of Neuroplasticity

Other books by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D.:

What to Say When You Talk to Your Self

The Gift

Who Are You Really, and What do You Want?

The Self-Talk Solution

Self-Talk for Weight Loss

Choices

What to Say When You Talk to Your Kids

Network of Champions

Finding the Fountain of Youth Inside Yourself

You Can Excel in Times of Change

The Power of Neuroplasticity

Published by Park Avenue Press

362 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., #104

Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Copyright 2013 by Shad Helmstetter. All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in reviews, without written permission from the author.

Helmstetter, Shad

The Power of Neuroplasticity

ISBN-10: 0972782184

ISBN-13: 978-0-9727821-8-0

Dedication:

This book is dedicated, with love, to my wife, Judith Ann.

I cannot thank enough the many people who have contributed so greatly to this book. First and always, my editors have been unerring in their dedication to making sure that every thought, sentence, comma, semicolon, and form is as it should be. If there are any errors, they are mine.

I would like to thank my many online friends who so graciously offered their comments and suggestions, and to others who contributed so generously, especially Tai Chi master Jerry Levine. I am also especially appreciative of the staff at The Bistro, in Milton, Florida, who allowed me to work on my manuscript in a quiet place near the river, where I could write in the solitude of uninterrupted thoughts.

I also thank, with deep respect, the researchers and authors who have courageously brought the science of neuroplasticity and the capabilities of "mind" into the mainstream of public awareness. Many of these teachers have come from widely diverging backgrounds, but have come to many of the same conclusions on the role of "mind" and its importance in the management of our everyday lives. Through their intelligent insight and work in this field, looking at the mind and brain from daring new perspectives, we have a brighter light on the path to guide us on our way into the future.

"You are creating, at this moment, the person you are going to become tomorrow."

This is a book about giving people freedom, and giving people hope.

For many years, we believed that the human brain stopped growing or changing when we were young and everything we were taught about our behavior was based on that belief. We now know differently.

The breakthrough of the discovery of neuroplasticity is that the brain is designed to change throughout our lifetime. Your brain is changing at this moment. Right now, no matter where you are in your life or what age you are, while you're reading this, your brain is literally rewiring itself.

From the latest research and from the use of new technology that allows us for the first time to look deeply into the human brain while it's working, we have begun to learn more about how the brain is wired and how it works. And most importantly, we have learned the role that our thoughts play in the wiring of the brain and the creation of our success as individuals.

In the following pages, you'll find information and ideas that will help you reintroduce yourself to your own mind in some amazing ways. Although this book includes information that originated from research in the field of neuroscience, this isn't a textbook with scientific jargon that requires a background in neuroscience to understand it. I've done my best to bring a great deal of information together, sort it all out, condense it, and put it in words anyone can understand.

You'll find the tone of this book to be positive and uplifting. In writing it, I've applied the same principles we'll be talking about throughout the book principles such as intention, focus, and repetition.

You'll also notice there's a deliberate balance between information and action steps you can put into practice right away. The suggestions and ideas I recommend to you are practical and down to earth, and you should be able to use and apply them even before you finish reading.

Whether you find just one new gem of an idea here, or a dozen new thoughts or ideas that apply to you, rest assured that by the time you read the final chapter, you will understand what your own mind and brain can do for you, and what you can do to make those positive changes happen.

As you read, I encourage you to open your mind, let the new ideas flow in easily and let them sink in. Read the book with your determined intention to gain every ounce of new knowledge and awareness you can possibly glean from the ideas presented here.

There's a reason to do this. We have learned that your conscious intention to do something increases your brain's ability to wire in new ideas! It is my hope that with your conscious intention to learn the ideas expressed here, they will make a positive and valuable contribution to how you think, the actions you take, and the results you achieve.

The discovery of neuroplasticity did not begin with what it can do for the mind. The initial discovery started by helping stroke victims regain the use of muscles they once thought useless, and teaching people with learning and physical disabilities how to literally rewire and retrain their brain functions.

But it is what lies beyond the world of medical research, moving into the world of mind research, which promises to affect the lives of even more of us in truly incredible ways. It is how we can personally use the discovery of neuroplasticity in our everyday lives and learn to rewire our brains for ourselves that is making a critical difference for countless individuals.

It was research in the field of neuroscience that first alerted researchers in other fields such as medicine, education, training, and counseling to the properties of what the brain's neuroplasticity offers us. In this book, we will focus on the aspects of neuroplasticity that deal with improving brain potential and function, such as:

Personal growth

Reaching your goals

Mindfulness

Intention

The importance of belief

Creating a positive attitude

Changing your self-talk

Overcoming negativity

Mental sharpness and clarity

Meditation

Increasing your level of happiness

Improving your brain's acuity

Staying younger, longer

Not only have we learned what the most essential tools of brain enhancement and personal growth really are, we have also finally learned how positive, personal change actually takes place in the brain, and how to use that amazing neurological process to make our lives better.

What we've learned is about to change everything.

What goes on in your mind and in your life changes your brain, physically. When you think or do something repeatedly, your brain actually changes its physical structure. Your environment, your experiences, your emotions, your attitudes, your self-talk, all of your perceptions your brain is imprinting itself with every message it gets. And this discovery means that because your brain is constantly rewiring and changing itself,