Yoga_Journal_-_June_2016_

66

june 2016

yogajournal.com

Not sure exactly how dusting off your old

guitar or buying a blank canvas and some

paint is anything more than a distraction?

Theo Tsaousides, PhD, a neuropsychologist

and author of Brainblocks: Overcoming the

7 Hidden Barriers to Success, says that cre-

ative ventures like these actually prompt

our brains to produce and combine ideas,

making us more likely to adapt, change,

and grow in other aspects of our lives.

“Creativity is the key that unlocks our

brain’s potential,” he says. “In fact, when

we don’t allow our brains to think cre-

atively, we court a variety of problems that

can affect everything from how productive

we are to how much enjoyment and satis-

faction we get out of our lives.” By letting

your brain go freestyle, you could:

Combat depression.Consider the

nature of depression, a condition that

affects at least 1 6 million Americans at

some point in their lives, according to

the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Depression often involves looking at the

world through a glass darkly but being

unable to change that perspective, says

Tsaousides. “But if you’re in the habit of

thinking creatively and coming up with

options for solving problems, it can lead

to a sense of hopefulness that can help

stave off feelings of depression,” he says.

Ease anxiety. When we become over-

whelmed with worry, it’s often because

we fear one particular outcome, says

Tsaousides. But if you’re able to imagine

alternative scenarios, it helps to

put your mind at ease.

Boost productivity. Creativity involves

taking risks—and, often, failing at what

you set out to do. However, allowing

yourself the freedom to try and to fail

can help you discover what doesn’t work,

which also shines a light on what does

work, ultimately leading you to greater

success. And that can fuel your hunger

for more success, which in turn increases

your productivity, says Tsaousides.







We all have ways in which we think of ourselves—and ways in which we believe others define us: smart, athletic, type A, scatterbrained.

“We get so attached to these labels that it can be incredibly difficult to do something outside of them,” says Tsaousides. In the Yoga Sutras,

these patterns are called samskaras—mental and emotional habits through which we continuously cycle. Repeating our samskaras only rein-

forces them, creating little “grooves” of thought and feeling that become our go-to patterns. Yet it is possible to steer out of these negative

grooves, says Brenner, by reframing how we view the world, our relationships, and—perhaps most importantly—ourselves. Try these expert-

approved exercises to help you find freedom from the negative samskaras that might be hindering your realization of a more fulfilled self.

Take the (mental) road less traveled

Realize that your “rules” can be the

exception.^ “We get used to our usual

thought patterns and feelings, but it’s impor-

tant to understand that staying in them is a

choice,” says Brenner. So, recognize what-

ever your storyline is and become more

aware of it—ideally, when you’re play-

ing it on repeat in your mind. Maybe you

habitually beat yourself up after receiving

constructive criticism from your coworkers

or boss and tell yourself you’re not smart

enough to do a great job. Or perhaps you

have a long to-do list but can’t seem to get

started because you’ve failed to complete

those tasks in the past—so why would this

time be any different? Simply looking at

the confines of your typical thoughts and

behaviors will make you more likely to see

their limits, and in so doing, come to recog-

nize that other options are always available.

“When you realize your self-imposed bound-

aries, that’s when you can work toward mak-

ing a change,” says Brenner.

Sit with yourself. All too often, we’ll

exercise or attend yoga class just for the

physical benefits or to connect with friends,