3-step guide to turning good time into lasting wellness

These neural bases stimulate these states and 'trick' the brain into giving us what we want. Also, we can strengthen this process so that with time, it becomes easier to regulate them.

Like Canadian scientist Donald Hebb says, 'Neurons that fire together, wire together.'

The three steps

These are therapy-based steps backed by scientific observation for good life practices.

Studies at Greater Good Science Centre have revealed that the brain is a circuit of malleable wires that, with the right steps, has the potential to create new habits, and mental and emotional states.

The three steps are basically a routine for you to stop wasting good stuff and experiences that are good for lasting wellness.

1. Turn a good fact into a good experience

Every day, good things happen, small achievements or targets attained. Also, getting through another day at a job, watching flowers bloom, or checking an item off a to-do list. Recognise them as opportunities to truly feel good.

2. Make a big deal of the positive experience

To your brain, show it that this matters. Take your time to absorb the experience. In order to learn, as teachers know, you need to make an impression with something. Make the experience as deeply felt in your body as possible. For as long as you can.

3. Intention to have the experience stored

Some people use visualisation to help their brains store the impression. It's not something you want to do with an absent mind. Pick a visualisation tool, like a sparkling jewel going into a treasure box of your heart or a seed falling onto fertile ground in your brain. Just make sure it is giving the impression that it is now a resource you have with you forever.

How do these three steps work?

Attention

The central idea is controlling attention, drawing it towards things that help mould outcomes for particular goals. Moreover, attention builds brain tissue for each experience, either bad or good.

American psychologist, William James, also known as the father of Psychology in America, once said that educating attention is the most excellence education can do.

Self-directed neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is the pliant nature of the brain which makes it changeable across a lifetime. Self-directing this process means making it a skill driving your own brain with intention and clarity.

So, having a few moments of positive experiences is better than having negative ones, but you have to intentionally take them a notch higher for them to become a lifestyle.