Brain Rules

Many readers were captivated by last week's Web reference, to the presentation of Jill Bolte Taylor at this year's TED conference in Monterey, California. The 19-minute presentation, My Stroke of Insight, shares her reflections as a neuoranatomist on a massive stroke that she suffered back in 1996. It includes a robust discussion of brain function and of the potential for integration between two kinds of consciousness: the deep, world-soul consciousness of our right brain and the solid, individual-actor consciousness of our left-brain. If you missed it last week, here's the link again: www.ted.com/talks/view/id/229.

Given the interest in how the brain works and what that means for daily life, I thought I would include another new resource in the field. Brain Rules is a book, film, and web project developed by John Medina, a developmental molecular biologist focused on the genes involved in human brain development and the genetics of psychiatric disorders. He is particularly concerned to mine what scientists are learning about the brain and applying it to specific fields of human endeavor. Many do not realize, for example, that physical activity is not just good for the body. It's also important to get your brain working at its best.

Here are the 12 Brain Rules discussed by Medina in his book:

• Rule #1: Exercise boosts brain power.
• Rule #2: The human brain evolved, too.
• Rule #3: Every brain is wired differently.
• Rule #4: We don't pay attention to boring things.
• Rule #5: Repeat to remember.
• Rule #6: Remember to repeat.
• Rule #7: Sleep well, think well.
• Rule #8: Stressed brains don't learn the same way.
• Rule #9: Stimulate more of the senses.
• Rule #10: Vision trumps all other senses.
• Rule #11: Male and female brains are different.
• Rule #12: We are powerful and natural explorers.

To learn more, I would encourage you to visit the website (www.brainrules.net) and to purchase the book. Enjoy!

Coaching Inquiries: Which of the brain rules do you take to heart and practice on a daily basis? Which ones would you like to exercise more? Who could assist you to make it so? We invite you Email Us or to use our Contact Form to arrange for a complimentary coaching conversation with your own LifeTrek coach.