How to rewire your brain: 10 simple habits backed by neuroscience

Key Points:

• Nicole Vignola, a cognitive neuroscientist, emphasizes that the brain is shaped by life experiences but can be rewired through repetition, not just willpower, as detailed in her book "Rewire," now published in Hebrew.
• Dopamine's role is primarily motivational, rewarding anticipation and progress rather than happiness itself; Vignola advises cultivating habits that reward effort over immediate gratification to build stable motivation.
• Managing "mental capital," or cognitive energy, is crucial; limiting distractions like constant phone use helps preserve focus and supports deep thinking and learning.
• Physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes neuroplasticity, memory, and learning, making exercise a key tool for brain health.
• Walking offers unique benefits by engaging bilateral eye movements that reduce stress and improve emotional processing, especially when done in nature, complementing other brain-rewiring strategies.