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With the world in flux, you need to stay sharp. From Naperville, Illinois, here’s a handy, fun, practice that may strengthen and repair your brain.
For decades I’ve used my lifelong passion for juggling as a visual metaphor and teaching tool for concepts like focus, pattern recognition, teamwork, and accelerated learning. These illustrations come naturally to me, as learning this skill literally changed the course of my life: from a young, distracted mischief-seeker to a focused student and confident go-getter.
Two years ago a team of researchers reviewed and synthesized eleven studies on the effects of juggling on the brain, and concluded what I’ve long experienced: Juggling is really good for your brain. Learning and practicing this skill creates white and grey matter, may repair damage, and even enhance our cognitive and predictive abilities. (Citations below)
Learning anything novel promotes neuroplasticity. That is, the brain’s ability to grow and repurpose across functional areas. Juggling seems especially suited to this due to its connection to the visual cortex, as well as balance, coordination, and bilateral movement.
When you juggle there’s a lot going on in your cerebellum. And while the precise effects are still inexact, juggling seems to help us neurologically. That’s one of the reasons I really enjoy teaching this skill at scale.
Once you learn juggling, you’ll always know how. But, measured brain changes attributed to juggling seem to dissipate after people quit. That reminds us: Keep doing what works, even for a few minutes each day!
So, regularly practice any skill that lights you up. Or, learn to juggle. It’s easier than you think, and you don’t have to be an expert to gain the powerful brain benefits. Until next week, stay Off Balance on Purpose.
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Jakub Malik, Rafal Stemplewski & Janusz Maciaszek (National Library of Medicine
The audio for this week’s coaching video is located under the “Get Inspired” tab in the Positive Playlist . You can subscribe to the podcast and listen to other weekly messages for improving all aspects of your life.
