Meet Your Brain: How It Works and Why It Matters

Have you ever thought about how your brain operates… like how it really works?

Movement, the five senses, conscious thoughts, hunger, thirst, tired.. All of this happens in milliseconds, powered by your brain - a three-pound organ sitting right between your ears.

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Allow me to introduce you to your brain - your newest “old friend.”

The Cerebrum: The large, top part of the brain that we normally see in pictures. It it the “thinking” part of the brain. It is responsible for speech, some components of movements, decision making, and much more… all the things that requires thinking when in action.

The Cerebellum: Underneath the back of your brain that controls your balance and coordination - components of movements. It’s the reason you can ride a bike, kick a soccer ball, or walk without falling over.

The Brainstem: Located at the base, connecting to your spine, this manages the stuff you don’t want to think about - like breathing, keeping your heart beating, and digesting food.

Of course those parts of the brain listed above are all very general… there are many more things that happen in those areas of the brain. And we’ll cover each one as we go!

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It’s Electric! ⚡

Your brain is made of about 86 billion special cells called neurons.

Imagine neurons as millions of extension cords, one connected to another. When you have a cord, you plug it in and electricity moves through the cord to turn on a light. So when the brain tells the body to move your hand, electricity, or the exchange of electrons, happens through these millions of neurons in the brain and out to the peripheral nerves, to then be able to move your hand.

Chemical signals called neurotransmitters help to conduct the electricity, which helps the signal move (or not) at speeds over 200 miles per hour.

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Brain Gymnastics 🤸🏼‍♂️

Here is the coolest thing about your brain: it can physically change itself to get better at a certain function or skill. This ability is called neuroplasticity.

Think of your brain like the gymnasts you see on television:

• Every time you try something new - like learning an instrument or a new language - your brain starts a little uncertain and unsteady with the task.

• The more you practice, the more the skill “sticks,” eventually allowing for success and consistency in success with a reward feeling good about what you did. If you stop practicing, the skill diminishes.

This means you aren’t born with a completely fixed set of abilities. Practice makes perfect!

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The Takeaway 💡

The parts of your brain are always listening and always watching to keep you on the right track - learning and thinking. To keep the functions of the brain running smoothly, all it asks for in return is decent food, good sleep, and plenty of new challenges.