The Science of Resilience
/The Science of Resilience - Part One
In earlier blogs, I mentioned the University of Wisconsin neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and his definition of resilience. Dr. Davidson has done extensive research on the beneficial impacts of meditation on the brain. He has successfully tracked the brain circuitry related to well-being and resilience. His work is remarkable and he is so easy to follow, I'm sure spending time with the Dali Lama helps.
Most of the time your brain is being shaped unwillingly, you don’t even realize it, Dr. Davidson's research clearly demonstrates we can shape our brain and learn resilience.
According to Dr. Davidson, this means you can actually take responsibility for the shaping of your brains by learning and practicing evidence-based healthy habits of the mind. One of the most important components of well-being is resilience. Dr. Davidson has demonstrated that you can actually influence your neural circuitry with training. "We can take someone who is not resilient and improve their resilience and show improvement in their well-being." This is great news for anyone in a leadership position for staff development.
The work of Dr. Davidson and many others has demonstrated a direct connection between the practice of meditation and the structure of our brains. Many of the studies include the use of:
- MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging which uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within your body.
- EEGs or electroencephalography to detect electrical activity in the brain.
MRIs were used to measure changes, track neural pathways and analyze the structure and function of the brain. Actual increases in blood flow could be seen to different regions of the brain in meditators.
MRIs demonstrate that the amygdala shrinks as the pre-frontal cortex, the area of executive function becomes thicker. The amygdala stores fear, emotion and threat. The time it takes to activate the amygdala can now be measured and it turns out that individuals doing simple forms of meditation don’t trigger the amygdala as quickly and show more resilient profiles.
Studies have shown with pre- and post-brain MRI scans, that after 8 weeks, meditation increases gray matter that involves learning, memory, self-relational framing, perspective taking, and slows down aging. As this happens, we become more resilient to stressors.
Dr. Davidson also has found evidence that meditation does increase resilience and the more you practice meditation, the more resilient your brain becomes. Investigations continue to study and validate these brain changes and more.
Davidson’s tests using EEGs, measure the brain’s electrical signals on individuals. In a series of studies of Tibetan Monks who have practiced meditation for an average 34,000 hours over many years, his findings were remarkable. The monks Brain Gamma Oscillations were significantly higher and different than other subjects. The baseline state of these individuals’ gamma waves has been transformed as a result of their practice. (Gamma related to cognition & memory).
Ready to build resilience? Reach out to Pat Forde at 305.606.2050 or pat@mindhealinginstitute.com for Meditation and Mindfullness training or Acceptance and Commitment Training, these two modalities compliment each other.
