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Do Something New

Overview

Engaging in new activities can help stimulate the brain and support neuroplasticity, which can help improve cognitive function and mood. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt in response to new experiences and stimuli. It is an important factor in learning and memory, and can also support overall cognitive function. For people with bipolar disorder, neuroplasticity can play an important role in recovery during a depressive episode. Here are some examples of new activities that you might enjoy and benefit from trying.

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A new hobby

It could be playing a new sport, a new game, attending a new social event, or even trying a new form of entertainment. Novelty comes in many forms, so try something new and enjoy it.

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Learning a new skill

It could be trying to learn a new skill using an online tutorial, or asking a friend with a particular skill to teach you something new. It could be some kind of art, whether it is music or painting. Not only that, but it could be a physical activity like a sport or a game. There are a lot of things to learn that can be fun, useful, or both, so keep an eye out for them, it might just become your new passion.

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Explore a new place

It could be a place close to home or far away on the other side of the world. Finding a new place to explore doesn't mean you have to hop on a plane or take a road trip. Sometimes a simple place in nature or a new urban environment, depending on your preference, can be a new peaceful place for you to recharge and appreciate the novelty of the environment.

Studies and Videos References

Dr. Andrew Huberman: How to Focus to Change Your Brain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG53Vxum0as&t=13s&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman

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Dr. Andrew Huberman: How to Increase Motivation & Drive
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA50EK70whE&t=1s&ab_channel=AndrewHuberman

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Stress, Depression, and Neuroplasticity: A Convergence of Mechanisms

https://www.nature.com/articles/1301574

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Learning To Be Healthy. The Wider Benefits of Learning Papers.
https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED467901

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Microglia: An Interface between the Loss of Neuroplasticity and Depression
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2017.00270/full

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Neuroplastic changes in depression: A role for the immune system
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453012001242

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Neuroplasticity and major depression, the role of modern antidepressant drugs
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3782176/

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Alterations of neuroplasticity in depression: the hippocampus and beyond
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924977X04001269

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From Serotonin to Neuroplasticity: Evolvement of Theories for Major Depressive Disorder
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2017.00305/full

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Lifestyle modulators of neuroplasticity: How physical activity, mental engagement, and diet promote cognitive health during aging
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-26666-001

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