5 Books That Helped Me Understand My Brain
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If you’re anything like me, you are probably wanting to change your habitual thoughts. At some point, you probably saw a video or maybe listened to a podcast telling you to “just choose better-feeling thoughts”. But how do you do this when these thoughts are so automatic, that you don’t realize you’re having them?
Well in this post I am going to give you some insight into what goes on in your brain and how to work with yourself so you can finally break your habitual thinking patterns.
In this post, I will go over the following topics:
- What are your beliefs?
- What is your subconscious mind?
- How your thoughts affect your hormones, and your hormones affect your thoughts.
- How your thought patterns are affecting your life
So, if you are ready to get a better understanding of what is happening inside your head and change it. you’re in the right place!
I am listing here the top 5 books that helped me change my life by understanding my brain.
Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself - By Joe Dispenza
You’re a Badass - By Jen Sincero
The Power of Now - By Eckhart Tolle
Build the Life You Want - By Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind - By Joseph Murphy
What are your beliefs?
Our beliefs are a set of thoughts that are so constant in your brain that you no longer ‘think’ about them, your brain just ‘knows’ what your stance is on that specific topic. For example, at some point, someone told you “You are so clumsy”, and then, every time you trip on something, you think “I am so clumsy”. You have this thought enough times and your brain will accept it as part of your identity.
The good news is, with some effort to be conscious about your thoughts you can begin to replace the negative thoughts with more positive ones. Easier said than done, you might think. But really, it’s as simple as taking a moment to acknowledge you had a thought you no longer wish to identify with and then replacing it with the version you do want to identify with. Like, you might think “I am the worst at managing my time, I am always late”. After acknowledging this thought you can release it and think “I can make time management easier for myself by using technology to help me stay on track”.
The key to changing your beliefs lies in being able to pinpoint what they are in the first place and then substituting through repetition those you no longer identify with.
What is your Subconscious mind?
Your brain has two minds, the conscious mind, and the subconscious mind. Your conscious mind is what you are using to read this post. AKA your awareness in the present moment. Your Subconscious mind is where your memories, feelings, and emotions are stored. It is the part of your brain that keeps your habits going, good or bad. The good news is you can reprogram it with some conscious repetition.
Your subconscious mind listens to your conscious mind. So, when you think “I can’t do this” your subconscious mind listens and makes sure to prove you right. On the contrary, if you think “I am capable of doing this” your subconscious mind will listen and ensure that you succeed.
How your thoughts affect your hormones and your hormones your thoughts.
Your thoughts have the power to make your brain segregate the chemicals associated with hormones. Depending on what you’re thinking, you are telling your brain to make you feel good, sad, angry, frustrated, etc. Then your hormones flow through the body to different receptors and make their way back to your brain inducing more thoughts of the same kind. This creates a cycle of whatever emotion your thoughts are producing. This is why it is so important to be conscious about your thoughts.
How your thought patterns are affecting your life
Without realizing it many of us go about life creating feelings out of thoughts that do not represent our reality. We tend to have mostly negative thoughts this is backed by science as it is a survival mechanism. Now, there are some instincts that no longer serve us as they did back in the primitive ages. So, it is up to us to start regulating our thoughts and therefore emotions to have a more pleasant life experience.
So, if you’re ready to take control of your thoughts and feelings these books are a great place to start!
Breaking The Habit of Being Yourself - By Joe Dispenza
You’re a Badass - By Jen Sincero
The Power of Now - By Eckhart Tolle
Build the Life You Want - By Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind - By Joseph Murphy
I know reading time isn’t always easy to come by, so I am also listing here some of my favorite podcasts on mindset and manifestation. You’ll be able to find so much useful information and actionable tips for going about changing your habitual thinking.
- The Mel Robins Podcast
- Abraham Hicks
- Manifestation Bestie
