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Beyond the Routine: The Neurology Behind Meaningful Experiences
“Gathering together as family was just what I needed to feel alive again.…”
“… It’s almost as if I had no pain during our travels; I felt a complete and renewed sense of energy.”
This spring, let’s all take advantage of the energy of a fresh new season! While it may be easy to fall into the default mode of our day-to-day routines, studies show that prioritizing meaningful experiences and connections can improve our happiness and health, too.
How Experiences Shape the Brain
We can all recall experiences that we look back on and remember vividly and fondly, whether it is a childhood milestone, an unforgettable concert, days in college, or the birth of a child. As the Boston song puts it, these moments are “more than a feeling”. These moments are experiences cemented in time, shaping future experiences to come.
Here’s what happens at the neurological level when you engage with something new or meaningful:
Dopamine is Released
When the brain encounters something new or exciting, it releases dopamine: this is the neurochemical known for reward and pleasure. This feel-good hormone is also associated with locking in memories, feeling motivated, and being in a good mood.
This is why planning a trip or looking forward to time with someone you love can shift how you feel, even before the experience begins.
New Neural Pathways Form
Engaging with new environments, people, or challenges stimulates the growth of dendrites, the branch-like extensions on neurons that transmit information between different regions of the brain. Think of dendrites as little branch twigs of a tree; the more twigs you have, the more full the tree looks.
More active dendrites mean you may feel more “with it”, sharper, and enjoy better cognitive function over time.
The Stress Response is Dampened
Positive experiences lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for feeling stressed and out of touch.
With reduced sympathetic nervous system activation, the brain shifts from a state of high alert to one of relaxation and ease.
Multiple Systems are Activated
Rich experiences engage multiple brain regions at once: the hippocampus for memory, the prefrontal cortex for attention and decision-making, and the limbic system for emotional processing. This simultaneous activation is what makes meaningful experiences such a potent tool for brain health.
Over time, with these activations, you get a brain that is more resilient, more flexible, and better equipped to manage the demands placed on it. This event extends to the demands of living with a neurological condition.
Simply put, experiences and meaningful connections shape us on a neurobiological level, and how we go about our daily lives impacts who we are and who we become in the long run.
The Brain’s “Big Three” Experiences That Shape It for the Better
Believe it or not, the brain has its preferences when it comes to experiences and what improves cognitive wellness over time. An easy way to remember these is by focusing on these “big three” types:
1. Novelty: Giving the Brain Something New to Work With
The brain loves everything new. New information, new experiences, new places, new things. And this is because the brain is biologically wired to respond to new information, thanks to neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s way of processing experiences and reorganizing itself, strengthening existing connections throughout life.
There are many ways to incorporate some more “new” into your life, big or small. This can look like booking a bucket list trip to a country filled with culture, learning to cook a new recipe, reading a new book, or taking a class, finding a way to meet new people (like online dating), etc.
For decades, scientists believed that the brain was essentially fixed after childhood. We now know that is not the case! Neuroplasticity continues well into old age, and the experiences you have every day, no matter how small, are one of its primary drivers.
Dr. Kandel’s Tip: Try one small “new” thing each week. It doesn’t have to be big. The brain responds to novelty at any scale.
2. Nature: The Nervous System’s Natural Reset Button
As modern human beings, we may have evolved into a technologically interfaced world, but neurologically, our brains will always respond to the biological rhythm of life. Sunlight, fresh air, bodies of water, and clusters of trees are all healing to the brain. I hear it regularly in my practice, many of my patients tell me they feel calmer, clearer, or less symptomatic after spending time outdoors, especially here in South Florida.
Studies show that exposure to nature for as little as 10-20 minutes a day has incredible benefits, including a regulated heart rate, reduced stress levels, a restored attention span, and measurable cognitive boosts. Relaxed patients have been found to have much lower levels of cortisol (the stress chemical), which leads to even more relaxation!
For patients managing neurological conditions like chronic pain, migraine, MS, or Parkinson’s, nature doesn’t just feel good. It actively supports the nervous system’s regulation, making every other aspect of treatment and daily function work better.
Dr. Kandel’s Tip: Consistent, brief outdoor time is more valuable than occasional long stretches. Aim for something daily – even 15 minutes. I like to say, we live where others vacation – enjoy it!
3. Network & Social Connection: The Brain's Most Rewarding Workout
It’s time to think of social hour as a recipe for cognitive longevity – because it is! Whether it is a moment of laughter, social bonding, or the support of a loved one, these are all a part of the brain’s primal need for connection and safety. At a neurological level, positive social interactions increase dopamine levels, reduce cortisol levels, and activate regions of the brain associated with reward and attachment.
Research on Blue Zone communities around the world has shown that those who belong to a close-knit community and maintain strong connections have mortality rates reduced by 40 to 50 percent.
And while connections are important, your social circle doesn’t need to be large. What matters most is that the connection is consistent and genuine. You can garner powerful benefits from a weekly phone call, a standing coffee date with a friend, a community group, or a regular virtual interaction. These interactions all make a difference.
Dr. Kandel’s Tip: Being part of your community, in whatever form that takes, can help you think more clearly, live longer, and just be happier. Isn’t that worth it?
Step out of your comfort zone, reach out, and help yourself feel better. Being part of your community, in whatever form that takes, works wonders. If getting out feels difficult, a virtual connection still counts. Remember, the brain benefits from connections that carry meaning!
A Message From Dr. Kandel
“Enjoying your own company is nice, and we all need some alone time and solitude every now and then. But we are social creatures, and spending time making new experiences makes new brain connections, leads to increased focus and attention, and creates an overall positivity… this makes us happier, healthier, and wiser. And this adds years… meaningful years… to your life. So get out there, push yourself, and make yourself “better”!”
Joseph Kandel, MD
For more Neurology Office insights, feel free to visit the following Neurology Office resources below:
A Better Reset: The Neurology Behind Building Habits That Last
In Good Company: The Power of Cultivating Strong Relationships
Brain Plasticity: Experience the Benefits of Lifelong Learning
Feel free to share this with the people in your life who may benefit from this information! For more insights on neurology, check out our weekly tips on our Neurology Office Facebook page.
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