Flanker tests and word-color tests useful tools to test and possibly train cognitive flexibility. Great article and ‘life hack’ tips, Marianne. The result? Go to work via a different route. They must eliminate limiting behaviors and emotions, as well. An appropriate level of difficulty can lead to improved learning and keeps the mind sharp. For instance, one study found that although street children were able to perform complex mathematical calculations when selling their wares, they weren’t able to answer equivalent problems that were presented to them in a school context. However, making a simple change to your routine will actually build and strengthen neural pathways in your brain, which in turn improves your cognitive flexibility. Great article! If you want to develop your ability to transfer knowledge, research shows that explaining a new concept in your own words not only helps you identify any incorrect assumptions, but also helps you to generalise a concept for future application. Crack a joke or two. Even small changes like using a different shampoo instead of the brand you usually use will strengthen your neural pathways. 2003). 8. Thanks. For instance, if you’re accustomed to taking the same route to work each day, look for a different route or consider taking the bus instead of driving yourself. Learn new skills. So whether you’re a student or working professional, building your cognitive flexibility is a great way to develop professionally and keep up with the ever changing work environment of the future. Actively challenge these distorted thought patterns. Transferring knowledge is an excellent way to develop cognitive flexibility. Therapists help their patients to alter behaviors. They customize treatment roadmaps and appropriate interventions for their clients. You’ll also be able to think of other things throughout the day, which gives it more flexibility than before. Quick wit is a sign of flexible cognition. Here are a few science-backed ways to show how it is possible. Instead of going to the gym, run in the park. Change your routine. Flexible thinking is spontaneous and flows freely. I am sure, in 2-3 months I’ll be a different person. While we might not think about cognitive flexibility in our day to day life, it is an essential skill that we call upon every day to help us navigate and make sense of the world. Neuroplasticity: Exercises to Improve Cognitive Flexibility, Conquer Trauma and PTSD, Change Bad Habits Being humorous is a way to develop flexible thinking and creativity. consider different options. The children who participated in one study showed that flexible thinking enabled them to develop to their full potential. So make an effort to meet people outside of your normal social circles, whether that means travelling abroad, volunteering, teaching, or connecting with people through social media. I have many posts about stuff that’s bad for you: stress , high fructose corn syrup, snow, playing soccer , cats , pesticides , religion , climate change , even licorice . Ask yourself if there are other ways you can interpret a situation. thank so much, very helpful Building the Skillsets for Cognitive Flexibility Students need explicit instruction and opportunities to practice the flexible thinking that will make the most of their brains' fertile adolescent development stage. According to a 2016 report from the World Economic Forum that looked at the future of jobs across nine different industries in 15 of the world’s largest economies, employers will soon be placing more emphasis on cognitive abilities like creativity and adaptability. Cognitive flexibility refers to our ability to disengage from one task and respond to another or think about multiple concepts at the same time. Without the ability to transfer skills and knowledge to new contexts, your learning won’t have as great an impact. I chose to practice metacognition because cognitive flexibility is the ability to switch between tasks efficiently, and I thought that if I paid attention to what I was thinking, then I would be able to switch between tasks while having less distractions cluttering my brain. Foods that improve Cognitive Ability Healthy food makes the brain healthy. Learn how to improve this critical skill. One of the best ways to become more cognitively flexible is to expose yourself to new experiences and ways of doing things, but if you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas. A simple way to develop flexible thinking is to do ordinary, routine things in new ways. can you link the study that states”Research shows that introducing so-called “desirable difficulties”. What I mean is if you want to be better at socializing you have to go out meet different people. Each time you experience something out of the ordinary or learn something new, the brain creates new synaptic connections. Flexible cognition allows you to view a task from different perspectives, and understand that there’s more than one way to complete it. The gene, KCND2, codes for a protein that regulates potassium channels, which control electrical signals that travel along neurons. InformED is an Open Colleges blog all about education. Dr. Michael Merzenich is the chief scientific officer at Posit Science and is featured in the New York Times Best Seller “The Brain that Changes Itself” by Norman Doidge. Learning Mind does not provide medical, psychological, or any other type of professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. New and interesting experiences have also been shown to trigger the release of dopamine, which not only increases motivation but also enhances memory and learning. Change Your Diet It has been noted that the ACG has many “serotonergic” fibers and that people who tend to be rigid in their thinking or behavior may have a deficit of serotonin. Go to work via a different route. Learning new skills promotes mental flexibility. 1. 36 Shares LinkedIn Facebook Pinterest Twitter Email Buffer Flipboard More Initial Thoughts on Bite-Sized Guide to Cognitive Flexibility Skills Cognitive flexibility is among the 10 key skills needed for future jobs. PLAYING GAMES – play brainy games. Meeting new people allows you to embrace new perspectives and become flexible in your thinking. New experiences trigger dopamine, which creates motivation. Change your routine. R ules, regulations, expectations, and plans are expected to … People envy us if we have cognitive flexibility. Another way to build cognitive flexibility is to make an effort to think in unconventional and creative ways or practice divergent thinking. Marianne Stenger is a London-based freelance writer and journalist with extensive experience covering all things learning and development. Explain What is Happening. Cognitive Flexibility and Mindful Movement Patterns. I think this applies to life, and to people of all ages. Research has proven time and again that it’s possible to make our cognition flexible. If you had an extensive To-Do list, you’d be completely overwhelmed. Cognitive flexibility is the human ability to adapt the cognitive processing strategies to face new and unex-pected conditions in the environment (Cañas et al. I do take medication and learned a lot from my experience. Once you’re sure you understand the concept, you can look for ways to apply it in real-world situations. 1. Practice divergent thinking. Proponents of this school of thought believe that people can achieve their goals if they change their ways of thinking. A simple way to develop flexible thinking is to do ordinary, routine things in new ways. Using positive surprises in the classroom can support and encourage cognitive flexibility too, writes Meghan Fitzgerald at early childhood education platform, Tinkergarten. do not know how to do….thanx very much….. An unexpected afternoon of playing learning games or outdoor period for students can teach them that changes and surprises can be … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The strategy I chose to use to improve my cognitive flexibility was practicing using metacognition. Cognitive flexibility has associations with cognitive therapy (CT), developed by renowned psychiatrist Aaron T. Beck. @IngeniousChi Thank you for the correction! 1. A study found that college students who accepted new ideas had better moral reasoning abilities than their peers. Do things the old-fashioned way. 10 Signs of a Spoiled Child: Are You Overindulging Your Kid? Someone who is cognitively flexible will be able to learn more quickly, solve problems more creatively, and adapt and respond to new situations more effectively, which is why it’s so important in both educational settings and the workplace. Learning to transfer what you’ve learned in one context into a new context can be a great exercise in cognitive flexibility, because it forces you to form new connections between previously unconnected networks of knowledge and think more creatively. Try navigating your way around a new town by using a map. Research shows that seeking out experiences that test your morals and expose you to a variety of beliefs, values, and expectations can give you a better understanding of culturally different perspectives and help you become more flexible in your thinking. So going out of your way to experience new things or engage in novel activities can go a long way towards helping you develop cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is often weak in children with ADHD, making it harder for them to adapt to change. CT draws from the cognitive model, which stresses the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. For example, your task is to organize the clothes in your wardrobe. After only twenty minutes of exercising, your brain will release serotonin, dopamine, opioids, endorphins, and endocannabinoids, which help it to grow. In the video below he speaks about how cognitive flexibility can be enhanced through mindful movements such as Feldenkrais ® to help a healthy aging brain. Improving nutrition, exercise and working on thought stopping/reframing can help improve cognitive flexibility. Instead of … Vocational Education vs Short Courses: Which Path Should You Take? If you usually get your exercise at the gym, change things up by running in the park or going for a bike ride. Even if you don’t necessarily agree with someone’s point of view or belief system, being cognitively flexible means you’ll be able to think about why they might see things that way and understand their point of view. [Winship, Adrian] on Amazon.com. Cognitive flexibility is among the 10 skills that professionals need to succeed in the future. It has been difficult for me to find the right books that will teach you this skill. I was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder back in 1973 and have not had any issues since Jan. 2009. Check out this article for tips on how to inspire divergent thinking. Go to a yoga class or take a hike instead of hitting the gym. Experts say that relieving your brain of your worries frees up space in it to consider the solutions to problems. Over time, it stabilizes mood, increases the size of the hippocampus, and promotes neurogenesis. Try the tests yourself using the color model above (or link) or the following site … For instance, if you’re driving to an area you’re not familiar with, try to navigate your way using a map and asking for directions rather than using your GPS, or instead of reaching for your phone the minute you need to make a calculation, grab a pen and paper, and do it the old-fashioned way. You can do so either by color, type, or size. Doing this will also help you to identify false assumptions. A simple way to develop flexible thinking is to do ordinary, routine things in new ways. Start. Part of the study basically suggests that you should continuously improve your thinking skills and keep your mind in top shape to think innovatively for the workplace in 2020. 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