Written By Avani Bhandari (Grade 8)
Have you ever wondered where exactly your thoughts come from? Or how your thinking caps work? Moreover, why do some thoughts just pop into our head!?
Our brain has two ways of thinking. Scientists call it system 1 and system 2. System 1 is the fast one which just pops answers right into your head when a question arises. System 2 is more like the calm, collected system, which analyzes every situation and question slowly.
A thought starts in your brain and travels through special channels called nerves. In order to form thoughts, your brain sifts through a vast database of memories, experiences and images to make connections. So if you are tired, the words like ‘rest’, ‘sleep’ and ‘water’ rise up in your brain. Your brain is constantly playing a word association game. For instance, if you think of the word ‘burger’, your brain thinks of vegetables, cheese, Mc Donald’s, etc! Even when you’re not purposefully, consciously thinking like trying hard to remember a fact or to solve a puzzle, your brain is just as active. It’s always keeping track of where you are in the environment and what events you might expect to happen in the near future.
While your brain is extremely powerful, it can still be prone to irrational thinking. If you tell yourself you can’t do something, your brain believes it, and thus your chances of succeeding automatically decrease.
People who live with a positive outlook always leave their minds open enough to see all that can be done to achieve what they desire. On the other hand, people with negative outlooks on life sometimes miss things they need even though they’re right in front of them. Positive thinking doesn’t just help you navigate the world around you. It boosts your health and wellness and increases your memory as well.
So, in a nutshell, your brain is like the manager of your body and your actions. Hope to see you be more positive today!
Featured Image Courtesy – The Chronicle of Higher Education