Leading brain specialist, Dr Helena Popovic, discusses the emerging field of 'neuroplasticity' and explains how through some simple steps, anybody can boost their greatest asset - their brain.
Neuroplasticity refers to the ability of the brain to change its own structure with each different activity it performs. The term is a splicing of two words: ‘neuro’ – anything related to the brain or nervous system; and ‘plasticity’ – meaning malleable or able to be moulded.
According to Australia’s leading brain specialist, Dr Helena Popovic, it’s never been more important for people to spend time working on their brain, because the brain is the control centre of our body and our lives.
“If you don’t have an optimally functioning brain, everything else in your body won’t be functioning properly either. The brain is the ultimate endocrine organ. It sends all the signals and messages to the rest of the body,” she says.
How can we achieve peak performance?
Dr Popovic believes that by keeping your brain functioning at its peak every day, planners and their clients can be more productive and live healthier lives.
“Boosting our brain power doesn’t come through doing one or two quick things. It’s done though a combination of things, such as what we think, what we do, what we eat, how we behave, how we exercise and how we sleep,” Dr Popovic says. “There are so many different things necessary for optimal brain function.
“We also need ongoing lifelong learning, if our brain is to work optimally. Our brain hates boredom, monotony and sameness. Our brain does not want an easy life, it likes to be challenged. That’s what really keeps us sharp, and what enables us to be creative when we need to be and to problem-solve efficiently.”
Dr Popovic believes that by better utilising our brains, we not only have the answers to being more efficient but also for preventing memory loss conditions, such as dementia.
“But the problem is, none of this is a quick fix. It’s the result of ongoing lifestyle,” Dr Popovic says. “Having an inquisitive mind and asking lots of questions is a simple way of sharpening our brains. We can go a long way to reducing our risk of developing conditions affecting the brain, like dementia.”
Dr Popovic presented a workshop session for planners at the 2016 FPA Professionals Congress.
