Sculpting Healthy Brains with Everyday Activities

By: Kelly Lambert, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Kelly Lambert

The human brain is one of the most complex entities in the universe. With 86 billion neurons communicating through an intricate symphony of synaptic connections and neurochemicals, identifying a single issue or imbalance in this environment to treat disorders like depression has proven immensely difficult.

The good news is that the brain comes equipped with its own incredible strategies for maintaining mental and emotional health. These built-in mechanisms can work alongside—or, in some cases, in place of—traditional pharmaceutical approaches. In the six lectures of Sculpting Healthy Brains with Everyday Activities, you’ll join behavioral neuroscientist Professor Kelly Lambert of the University of Richmond to explore how to activate these natural, powerful strategies and help your brain write its own prescriptions for resilience and well-being. Professor Lambert’s work in the lab has shown that strategic, experience-based activities—what she calls “behaviorceuticals”—can promote brain health. As it turns out, engaging in tasks such as cooking or gardening, for example, may be just the prescription we need for better mental health.

As you’ll learn in this course, incorporating engaging and meaningful activities into our daily lives allows us to tap into the brain’s incredible ability to adapt to life’s uncertainties. This process, known as neuroplasticity, enables the brain to rewire itself in response to new experiences. With an understanding of neuroplasticity and behavior-based approaches, you can begin to use your life experiences to optimize your mental health.

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Educational and Informative

This is from The Great Courses so you know it will be good. This is a professor from University of Richmond who provides lots of examples of the importance of brain activities. I found the examples informative - from Down's Syndrome to Autism. The examples - such as knitting - are great. This has inspired me to study Mandarin.

Fantastic information

As an RN and an educator, this series has changed how I interact with patients and students. I have always believed that students thrive in positive environments. These lectures have shown the proof. I have starred this series as a favorite and I plan to listen to it again as well as recommended it to others.
Awesome job in sharing this positive information!

great information about the brain

I really liked the neuroscientists information about the brain and the importance of neuroplasticity, it is also filled with great tips on brain improvement.

Feeling Hopeful

This was a wonderful listen. I grew up in a low income family, surrounded by drugs and violence, and was abused. It had a significant impact on my mental wellbeing and education. I’m happy that this was available to listen to, it really put my mind at ease. It has given me hope for my future as I’m learning new skills, becoming more active for my overall health, and changing the way I think. Thank you for educating me on your discoveries. 💓😌💓

I didn’t want this book to end!

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. I was sad when it ended because I just wanted to hear more from the author on this topic. It offers real advice that can be easily applied to a person’s life. It tells us how every day tasks we’re already doing can be adjusted slightly, with very little effort, & lead to huge life changes. Love this type of info!!!!