The Mind is a Wonderful Thing to Use: a Doctor’s View

I mentioned last time that mental exercise actually changes the way the brain functions. According to neurologist Richard Restak in his wide-ranging book “The Naked Brain”, when you think about performing an action, you stimulate the same parts of the brain that would come to life when you actually perform the act.



One study showed that people who only imagined flexing their biceps for 12 weeks had an average 13.4% increase in bicep strength. Isn’t that amazing?



During the toning and strength-building portions of my aerobics classes, I frequently remind students to think about which muscles they are working. When doing ab work, concentrate on those muscles. Focus. You should even be able to feel a difference – as if they are tightening more, lifting your torso higher. You should be able to feel it because, in fact, that is actually what is occurring.



I say Dr. Restak’s book is wide-ranging because he attempts to synthesize volumes of research relating to what he calls “social neuroscience”. Some reviewers have criticized that the way Restak weaves these studies together leaves the reader with the impression that free will is a chimera and my brain “made me do it” – whatever “it” was.



I see it differently. The more aware we are of the power of the human mind, the more able we are to tap into its amazing power – consciously, in control and with maximum free will.



Tags: mental training, power of the mind, how to outperform