Sculpting Project 24: 7 Essential Brain Nutrients: Week 2

This week I established that I am a one nutrient woman. My brain gets a full serving of Focus time as often as I can manage. I do get a fair amount of Physical time but only because much of my focused time is physical. I keep some In Time because it relates to prayer practices that I know are valuable. Connected time happens because I follow Jesus and He cares about people. My body demands Sleep time. Play time and especially Down time feel like a waste of time. Focus Time rules.

I have done enough study in the past few years to know that all these nutrients are valuable. But this knowing has not translated into active choices of my time. So I created Sculpting Projects address my nutrient needs. I list them below in Bold.

The good news we hear from neurobiology is that when we choose to do projects that help us pay attention in new ways our brain will grow healthier. Our brains are continually changing in response to how we focus attention.

Focus time: When we focus closely on tasks in a goal oriented way and take on challenges that make deep connections in our brains. Mono-Tasking.

Play time: Time to be spontaneous or creative, playfully enjoying novel experiences, make new connections in our brains. Built to Play.

Connecting Time: Connecting with other people, ideally in person, connecting with the natural world and connecting with God activates and reinforces our brain’s relational circuitry. Day of Kindness, Flash Prayers, Connected for Change, see Time In for connection with God as well as Spirit ears, Read the Book.

Physical Time: When we move our bodies, aerobically if possible, we strengthen our brains in many ways. Posture Matters.

Time In: Quiet reflection internally, meditation helps integrate our brains. Here and Now for 2 to 10, Jesus Prayer, The Gift of Breath, Cairns, Centering Moments, Time Stopping, Abba Issac’s Formula.

Down Time: Time to be non-focused, letting our mind wander and relax helps our brain recharge. Here and Now for 2 to 10 – this project can relate if you choose to use the 2-10 as a Down/ mind-wander.

Sleep Time: Giving our brains rest we consolidate learning, embed memories, and recharge. (No Project yet, but it is a topic I have worked on personally.)