What the Heck is Neuroplasticity? And Why We Should Be Talking about Neuroplasticity at Work
Stephanie, I thought this article series was about trauma informed workplaces; so why are we talking about neuroplasticity? And on that note, what the heck is neuroplasticity?
I promise- we are still talking about trauma informed workplaces! Neuroplasticity is an important and amazing tool when it comes to addressing and recovering from the impacts of trauma. It is also an amazing aspect of humans with countless implications in the workplace. This article will explore the basics and connect these dots!
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity, or brain plasticity, refers to the brain’s remarkable ability to continue to grow, adapt, and reorganize itself throughout a person’s entire life. It is the process by which the brain changes in response to experiences, learning, and environmental influences — rewiring the brain. Think of neuroplasticity as your internal system of evolution!
Neuroplasticity encompasses how nerve cells adapt to circumstances — to respond to stimulation by generating new tendrils of connection to other nerve cells, called synapses, and to respond to deprivation and excess stress by weakening connections.
Neuroplasticity plays a crucial role in learning and memory. When we learn new things or practice a skill, the brain forms new neural pathways or strengthens existing ones. This process allows us to acquire new knowledge, develop new abilities, and adapt to changes in our environment. When you think about neuroplasticity, it’s easiest to think of a baby and how they learn new skills and behaviors at a swift pace as their brain is developing.
While the brain does change most rapidly in childhood, new research shows the brain continues to develop throughout our entire lives! So no more saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’- because it’s not true! (It’s also just not a very nice thing to say.)
The importance of neuroplasticity can’t be overstated: It means that it is possible to change dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior and to develop new mindsets, new memories, new skills, and new abilities throughout our entire lives.
What Role Does Neuroplasticity Play in Trauma and Trauma Recovery?
Trauma, especially childhood trauma and ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), can have an astounding impact on our brains and the neuropathways that are formed. Trauma’s effect on the brain starts with the amygdala which is activated once it detects a threat. Once triggered, the hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system, often colloquially referred to as the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses. This system in the body is called the limbic system.
Repeated and severe experiences of trauma can result in the brain detecting these perceived threats more easily- leading to increased feelings of stress, anxiety, and or depression throughout life.
The limbic system can be activated not only by trauma itself but by the stimuli that trigger traumatic memories — a smell or a sound, for example (think of war veterans and fireworks).
This means that the limbic system can fire off the same response to a trigger that it does to trauma before the brain has a chance to evaluate whether the person is in danger.
This is known as hypervigilance. On a biological level, it’s one part of the brain shutting down another part of the brain and limiting a person’s ability to reason their way through a trigger instead of instinctively reacting to it.
Since neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to re-wire itself, it is key in changing the body and brain’s automatic responses to perceived threats and triggers as a result of traumatic experiences. This means that regardless of age, it may be possible to rewire your brain and nervous system from trauma by having new, positive, and supportive experiences.
Restructuring the brain is not a quick fix, it is a journey focused on habits and new practices to reroute neural pathways.
If you are looking for places to start practicing and flexing neuroplasticity, you can learn new skills, take new routes to work, or try some of these exercises as a simple place to start — 6 Neuroplasticity Exercises to Relieve Anxiety (psychcentral.com).
The most powerful way to open windows of plasticity in your brain is through physical activity; specifically aerobic exercise which stimulates the release of BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that facilitates the growth of new connections in the brain and strengthens signals.
Other ways to stimulate BDNF include-
Engaging in positive social interactions
Participating in novel activities
Engaging in play
Being in enriched and stimulating environments
Practicing and repeating positive activities — even mentally rehearsing them
Engaging in mental training strategies such as mindfulness meditation
Developing a sense of purpose in life.
It’s also important to note that stress will weaken BDNF in the body.
Neuroplasticity at Work
Neuroplasticity can play a significant role at work; as you may have already guessed from the information so far. Ther are countless ways neuroplasticity comes into play at work and can support both organizational and individual outcomes and goals. We’ll explore a few key ones here in the article.
Embracing neuroplasticity at work can transform the way organizations approach employee learning, development and well-being. Encouraging team members to engage in ongoing learning cultivates a culture of growth and innovation, allowing them to adapt to new challenges and technologies in the workplace and helps actively facilitate the creation of new neural pathways.
By recognizing the brain’s capacity for change and growth, organizations can invest in training programs that enhance communication skills, including active listening, empathy, and clear expression of ideas. This fosters a culture of open, effective communication, ultimately strengthening teamwork and collaboration.
In today’s changing environment, adaptability is vital. Understanding and leveraging neuroplasticity underscores the brain’s remarkable ability to learn new skills and adapt to change. This resilience enables employees to navigate shifting landscapes with confidence and agility, contributing to a more resilient and dynamic organization.
Embracing neuroplasticity can lead to enhanced problem-solving and creativity. Activities that challenge the brain, such as collaborative problem-solving exercises or brainstorming sessions, stimulate innovative thinking. This approach encourages employees to explore new solutions and approaches, ultimately driving progress and growth within the organization.
Effective stress management is another area where neuroplasticity can make a significant impact. By providing resources and practices that support mental well-being, organizations create a healthier, more productive work environment. This, in turn, empowers employees to manage stress more effectively, leading to improved overall mental health.
That said, organizations must also work to deliberately manage and mitigate employee stress to realize the full benefits of neuroplasticity building. As we noted above, stress limits BDNF in the body and can work against creating those windows of plasticity.
Encouraging a growth mindset is also a powerful way to leverage neuroplasticity in the workplace. By instilling the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning, organizations empower employees to take on challenges and persist in the face of setbacks. This mindset fosters a culture of continuous improvement and adaptability.
Neuroplasticity and Trauma Informed Cultures
Neuroplasticity holds profound significance in trauma informed cultures as it underscores the brain’s remarkable ability to adapt and recover from traumatic experiences. Understanding this concept informs approaches to healing and support. It emphasizes that, even in the aftermath of trauma, the brain can forge new pathways and each of us can continue to grow and change. This knowledge informs therapeutic interventions, promoting resilience, trust-building, and effective communication.
Understanding neuroplasticity and leveraging it supports awareness of trauma and reinforces the principles of trauma informed workplaces. Specifically, empowerment, humility and responsiveness. In empowerment as a principle, we honor the importance of the opportunity for growth for every member of the team; which is heavily tied to neuroplasticity and forging those new connections in the brain.
With Humility and Responsiveness, we recognize that none of us are perfect and that we can take action to make changes, just like neuroplasticity allows us to take action and make meaningful, changes in our brains.
By acknowledging the potential for positive change and growth, trauma-informed work cultures create environments that empower individuals to heal, learn, and ultimately thrive.
