Why Understanding The Difference Between Your Mind And Brain Is The Key To Self-Improvement
- Sep 20, 2024
- 5 min read
Rebekah King quickly became known as 'The Brain Changer' after transforming her own life by retraining her brain. As co-founder of Moonbeam Monday, she uses her skills as Master NLP Practitioner and Hypnotherapist to help people take back control of their own mind and revolutionise the way they think so they can create a life they truly love.
When it comes to understanding our mental health, people often get confused by the terms ‘mind’ and ‘brain.’ They’re used interchangeably, but they’re quite different, so today, we’re breaking it down so you can understand how knowing the distinction can actually help you lead a better, more balanced life.
The brain: Your hardware
My favourite way to describe this is to have you think of your brain as the physical hardware inside your skull – your body’s very own supercomputer. You may have heard that the brain contains about 100 billion neurons, but recent estimates suggest it’s more like 86 billion. Still, it's a mind-blowing number. Just to put it in perspective, the number of stars in our Milky Way galaxy is estimated to be between 200 and 400 billion. So, while our brain may not quite rival the cosmos, it's still doing a pretty impressive job for its size!
In terms of function, the brain is what powers every move, every breath, every heartbeat. If you’re a techie, you can think of it as the computer’s central processing unit. Without it, nothing happens. But the brain on its own isn’t enough. You also need the operating system – the mind.
The mind: Your software
Now, the mind is more like the software that runs on this hardware. It’s not something you can touch or see, but it’s the part of you that perceives, thinks, feels, and reasons. While your brain is a physical organ, the mind is more of a concept – it’s what happens when all those neurons in your brain fire in just the right way.
Here’s a simple way to think about it. we all have a brain, but our minds are unique. That’s why two people can experience the same event and remember it in totally different ways. The mind creates our version of reality based on our perceptions, memories, and emotions. And this is where the magic (or chaos) happens.
Neuroplasticity: Your brain’s superpower
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Well, thankfully, that doesn’t apply to humans! Our brains can change throughout our entire lives, thanks to something called neuroplasticity. This means that, based on what you think, feel, or experience, your brain actually rewires itself. New neural pathways are formed, and old ones that no longer serve a purpose are pruned away like dead branches on a tree.
You may not be much of a green thumb, but this will make sense to you, I’m sure, think of your brain like a rose bush. Without regular care (pruning), it’ll still grow, but not very well. You’ll end up with fewer blooms and more disease. The same goes for your brain – it needs regular pruning to remove those mental habits or beliefs that aren’t doing you any favours.
Change your brain, one thought at a time
Here’s where it gets really interesting, when we think certain thoughts repeatedly, like “I’m not good enough” or “I don’t deserve this,” we strengthen those neural pathways. Over time, they become our default setting. But the good news is, you can change that. By consciously replacing negative thoughts with positive ones—like “I’m capable” or “I can do this”—you literally start to rewire your brain.
Over time, those old negative pathways weaken and fade, much like an overgrown path in a forest that no one uses anymore. Instead, new paths – ones built on healthier, more empowering beliefs – take their place. It’s like building mental muscle at the gym, the more you repeat the new thoughts, the stronger they become.
Real-life examples of brain rewiring
So, what does this look like in real life? Imagine you’re someone who’s constantly anxious. You find yourself thinking, “I’m going to mess this up,” or “I can’t handle this.” Every time you think that your brain reinforces that belief. But what if you start telling yourself, “I’m prepared for this,” or “I’ve handled things like this before”? Over time, you’ll notice that you actually start to feel more confident and less anxious. Your brain’s wiring changes, and so do your emotions.
It works for other habits too – like biting your nails or procrastinating. By paying attention to the thoughts that lead to these habits and consciously changing them, you can break the cycle. It’s all about managing your mind effectively to influence your brain’s architecture.
Mind over matter (literally!)
This is where the age-old saying "mind over matter" takes on a whole new meaning. Once you understand the difference between your brain and your mind, you realise how much power you actually have. You’re not just a passive passenger in life – you’re the one in the driver’s seat, navigating the twists and turns with every thought, feeling, and choice you make.
The beauty of neuroplasticity is that you’re never stuck. No matter how ingrained a habit or belief might feel, you can change it. You just need to train your mind to think differently, and your brain will follow suit. It’s like updating the software on your phone – sometimes it’s a small tweak, and sometimes it’s a total overhaul. Either way, the results can be life changing.
So, to sum up, understanding the difference between your brain and your mind isn’t just about semantics – it’s about recognising the power you hold. Your brain can adapt, grow, and change based on what you think, feel, and do. So, take control of your thoughts, manage your mind, and you’ll be amazed at the changes that follow.
Remember, your brain is your most powerful tool, and when you change your mind, you really can change your life.
Start your journey today
Making changes in your life can seem daunting at first, like a lot of hard work! It can feel so overwhelming that you never actually get started. But you don’t have to do it alone. Understanding your mind and brain better is the first step. Tune in to The Brain Changers™, a podcast hosted by Rebekah and Yvonne King, dedicated to teaching you how to revolutionise the way you think and live, by mastering your mind. Listen here.
Rebekah King | The Brain Changer™
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Rebekah King, NLP Master Practitioner and Hypnotherapist
Known as ‘The Brain Changer’, NLP Master Practitioner and Hypnotherapist, Rebekah King, transformed her life when she eliminated debilitating depression and anxiety after more than 20 years by learning how to retrain her brain. As the co-founder of Moonbeam Monday Training + Coaching, her mission is to reach as many women as possible to demonstrate that when you revolutionise the way they think, you can take back control of your mind and live a life of joy, meaning and happiness. Because when you change your mind, you change your life.
