{"id":13499,"date":"2024-10-01T06:05:31","date_gmt":"2024-10-01T06:05:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/?post_type=exclusive&p=13499"},"modified":"2024-11-07T09:47:24","modified_gmt":"2024-11-07T09:47:24","slug":"how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment","status":"publish","type":"exclusive","link":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

By Dr. Dave Hester <\/a><\/strong><\/p>

Quick Story…\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Danni was the epitome of mediocrity. They led a lackluster life, filled with monotony and an\u00a0 abysmal routine that threatened to suffocate every inkling of adventure and spontaneity from\u00a0 their soul. The advertising agency where they worked reduced them to a mere cog in a\u00a0 gargantuan machine, creative inputs quashed under the dense bureaucracy and stringent\u00a0 timelines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Their life was rutted into a groove: work, home, sleep, repeat. It wasn’t living; it was merely\u00a0 existing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Danni is caught between burnout and thriving, Danni is languishing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The human experience encompasses a spectrum of emotional states, ranging from the depths of\u00a0 despair to the heights of flourishing. Languishing, a state characterized by a pervasive sense of\u00a0 emptiness and stagnation, occupies a distinct space on this spectrum. It differs from depression in\u00a0 its absence of severe negative emotions. Still, it nonetheless hinders motivation, engagement, and\u00a0 overall well-being.<\/span><\/p>

Who Cares? <\/b><\/h2>

Languishing is characterized by a lack of motivation, engagement, and fulfillment. Keep in mind that languishing is not depression or sadness. It can be experienced as just ‘blah’ or ‘eh,’ maybe a little bit of ‘whatever.’ The research emerged from the neuroscience of emotions. To understand the neurological underpinnings of languishing and to explore pathways toward human thriving, we must delve into the intricate workings of the brain.<\/p>

Chronic stress, a ubiquitous feature of modern life, can further exacerbate this condition. Neuro scientific research has shed light on the neural biological correlates of well-being and its antithesis conserved transcriptional response to adversity or (CTRA). Which is described as an increase in pro-inflammatory genes. In other words, some of us may have higher adverse childhood events (ACEs) and a propensity to respond strongly to stress (CTRA).<\/p>

Stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a complex neuroendocrine system that regulates our stress response. When chronically activated, the HPA axis can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which may impair the function of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, areas crucial for emotional regulation and memory formation. This dysregulation can manifest as a lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and a general sense of emotional flatness \u2013 hallmarks of languishing.<\/p>

Conversely, the brain’s reward system, centered around dopamine and serotonin, plays a crucial role in motivation, pleasure, and overall life satisfaction. When this system is dysregulated, individuals may experience a diminished capacity for experiencing joy and engagement, potentially leading to languishing.<\/p>

Why try?<\/b><\/h2>

Fostering a brain environment conducive to well-being is imperative to move from languishing\u00a0 towards human thriving. Engaging in activities that stimulate the release of dopamine and\u00a0 serotonin, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

  1. NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest)\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  2. Spending time in nature\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  3. Cultivating social connections\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
  4. Accepting that I can’t control everything<\/span><\/span><\/li><\/ol>

    What can I do?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>

    Cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning in life can be a powerful remedy to languishing.\u00a0 Research suggests that individuals with a strong sense of purpose exhibit increased activation in\u00a0 the ventral striatum, a vital component of the brain’s reward system, during goal-directed tasks.\u00a0 Engaging in activities that align with one’s values and contribute to something larger than oneself\u00a0 can foster a sense of fulfillment and connection, potentially propelling individuals toward\u00a0 thriving.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Sleep, often the first casualty of a busy lifestyle, is another critical pillar of human thriving.\u00a0 Adequate sleep is not just about rest it\u2019s about cognitive function, emotional regulation, and\u00a0 overall well-being. During sleep, the glymphatic system, a recently discovered metabolic waste\u00a0 disposal unit, clears pathways in the brain. It’s like having your own Roomba removing harmful\u00a0 metabolites so your brain can function optimally. If not removed, these metabolites can\u00a0 potentially become harmful. As you can imagine, chronic sleep deprivation can exacerbate\u00a0 feelings of languishing and impair the brain’s ability to consolidate memories and process\u00a0 emotions effectively. Therefore, prioritizing good sleep hygiene practices is crucial for optimal\u00a0 brain function and emotional well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Nutrition plays a vital role in brain health. Eating clean, with a diet balanced in omega-3 fatty\u00a0 acids, antioxidants, and vitamins (clinically proven) improves cognitive function and mood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Conversely, a diet high in processed foods and unhealthy fats can contribute to inflammation and\u00a0 impair brain function.<\/span><\/p>

    How do I bring it all together?<\/b><\/h2>

    It starts with self-assessment. It is vital to get to know yourself because the “self” is constantly\u00a0 changing. While individual differences exist in how brains respond to these strategies,\u00a0 incorporating them into daily life can significantly enhance one’s capacity for well-being. It is\u00a0 essential to remember that personal growth is a journey, not a destination. It’s an ongoing and\u00a0 ever-changing pursuit that involves active engagement and frequent introspection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

    Progress may not always be linear, and setbacks are inevitable. Understanding how you feel after\u00a0 a good night’s sleep by journaling your progress or tracking your performance on a task can lead\u00a0 to more discovery. Seeking support from friends, family, or mental health professionals can\u00a0 provide valuable guidance and encouragement along the way. Having a solid support system\u00a0 provides a crucial safety net during difficult times. This could mean family, friends, therapists, or\u00a0 even furry companions – after all, the power of pet therapy shouldn’t be underestimated. A\u00a0 holistic approach that integrates physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being not just a choice,\u00a0 it\u2019s a necessity for cultivating a fulfilling and meaningful life beyond just existing. <\/span><\/p>

    Resources<\/b><\/h2>
    1. Cole SW, Levine ME, Arevalo JM, Ma J, Weir DR, Crimmins EM. Loneliness,\u00a0 eudaimonia, and the human conserved transcriptional response to adversity.\u00a0 <\/span>Psychoneuroendocrinology<\/span><\/i>. 2015 Dec;62:11-7. doi: 10.1016\/j.psyneuen.2015.07.001.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    2. Gao Y, Liu K, Zhu J. Glymphatic system: an emerging therapeutic approach for\u00a0 neurological disorders. <\/span>Front Mol Neurosc<\/span><\/i>i. 2023 Jul 6;16:1138769. doi:\u00a0 10.3389\/fnmol.2023.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>
    3. https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/body\/hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-hpa-axis <\/span><\/a><\/li>
    4. \u00a0<\/span>https:\/\/www.newscientist.com\/article\/mg26234863-400-are-you-languishing-in-life heres-how-to-find-your-purpose-again\/\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>
    5. https:\/\/learningwellmag.org\/article\/understanding-languishing-and-flourishing-with-dr corey-keyes\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>
    6. Murdock, M.H., Yang, CY., Sun, N. <\/span>et al. <\/span><\/i>Multisensory gamma stimulation promotes\u00a0 glymphatic clearance of amyloid. <\/span>Nature <\/span><\/i>627<\/b>, 149\u2013156 (2024). <\/span>https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41586-024-07132-6\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
    7. Walton KG, Wenuganen S, Cole SW. Transcendental Meditation practitioners show\u00a0 reduced expression of the Conserved Transcriptional Response to Adversity. <\/span>Brain Behav\u00a0 Immun Health<\/span><\/i>. 2023 Aug 2;32:100672. doi: 10.1016\/j.bbih.2023.100672.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      By Dr. Dave Hester Quick Story… Danni was the epitome of mediocrity. They led a lackluster life, filled with monotony and an\u00a0 abysmal routine that threatened to suffocate every inkling of adventure and spontaneity from\u00a0 their soul. The advertising agency where they worked reduced them to a mere cog in a\u00a0 gargantuan machine, creative inputs … <\/p>\n

      Continue reading “How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":13616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"tags":[],"article_category":[],"class_list":["post-13499","exclusive","type-exclusive","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Dr. Dave Hester Quick Story… Danni was the epitome of mediocrity. They led a lackluster life, filled with monotony and an\u00a0 abysmal routine that threatened to suffocate every inkling of adventure and spontaneity from\u00a0 their soul. The advertising agency where they worked reduced them to a mere cog in a\u00a0 gargantuan machine, creative inputs … Continue reading "How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment"\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-07T09:47:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1590\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"894\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/\",\"name\":\"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-01T06:05:31+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-07T09:47:24+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png\",\"width\":1590,\"height\":894,\"caption\":\"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Exclusive Articles\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/\",\"name\":\"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Logo-Desktop-1.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Logo-Desktop-1.svg\",\"width\":157,\"height\":38,\"caption\":\"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","og_description":"By Dr. Dave Hester Quick Story… Danni was the epitome of mediocrity. They led a lackluster life, filled with monotony and an\u00a0 abysmal routine that threatened to suffocate every inkling of adventure and spontaneity from\u00a0 their soul. The advertising agency where they worked reduced them to a mere cog in a\u00a0 gargantuan machine, creative inputs … Continue reading \"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment\"","og_url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/","og_site_name":"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","article_modified_time":"2024-11-07T09:47:24+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1590,"height":894,"url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/","url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/","name":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment - Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png","datePublished":"2024-10-01T06:05:31+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-07T09:47:24+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/How-to-Rewire-Your-Brain-for-Fulfillment.png","width":1590,"height":894,"caption":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/how-to-rewire-your-brain-for-fulfillment\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Exclusive Articles","item":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/exclusive\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How to Rewire Your Brain for Fulfillment"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#website","url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/","name":"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#organization","name":"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being","url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Logo-Desktop-1.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Logo-Desktop-1.svg","width":157,"height":38,"caption":"Kokoro: 5 Minutes to Well-being"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/exclusive\/13499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/exclusive"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/exclusive"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13499"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/exclusive\/13499\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13670,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/exclusive\/13499\/revisions\/13670"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/13616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13499"},{"taxonomy":"article_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kokoro.today\/api\/wp\/v2\/article_category?post=13499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}