The Power of Consistency for Your Brain

Hey brain warriors!

Welcome to the latest edition of Cognitive Mastery.

You know, we’re constantly bombarded with the idea that excitement and novelty are the keys to success. “Change it up! Try something new!” seems to be the rallying cry. But let’s face it: while change can be great, our brains actually thrive on a little something called consistency.

Yup, that’s right. Doing the same thing over and over again may not sound sexy, but it’s like giving your brain a cozy blanket to wrap itself in.

Let me paint you a picture:

The Story of My "New" Routine

A few years ago, I had what you could call a “scattered brain.” You know the kind —constantly buzzing, never focused, always jumping from one thing to the next, like a squirrel in a coffee shop. It didn’t matter how many fancy productivity hacks I tried or how many apps I downloaded to "streamline" my life. I was always overwhelmed, drained, and battling some serious brain fog.

One day, after hitting a wall (figuratively, but it felt literal), I stumbled on something I had been missing all along: consistency.

That’s when I decided to make a small, unexciting change: I started taking two 10-minute walks every day. One mid-morning, one mid-afternoon. Nothing fancy, no Fitbit, no GPS tracking, and no phone. Just me, the fresh air, and a little movement.

What Happened Next?

The first few days were, well...boring. Nothing seemed to change, except I was a little less caffeinated (and mildly annoyed that I couldn’t scroll through my emails while walking). But then, something amazing started to happen.

My mind cleared up. My focus sharpened. I felt more awake and energised. It was like someone had switched my brain from dial-up to high-speed internet. Even better, my anxiety started to ease. Turns out, those walks were increasing blood flow to my brain, showering it with feel-good chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Talk about a win!

Why Consistency Works (The Brainy Stuff)

Here’s why this works: our brains love patterns. They’re energy-saving machines. When we repeat certain activities regularly, it takes less mental effort. We start doing them on autopilot, freeing up cognitive space for more important things, like figuring out how to solve world hunger (or, you know, what to have for lunch).

Neuroscientists call this “myelination,” which basically means the more you repeat a task, the stronger and faster the neural connections become. It’s like paving a superhighway in your brain! The trick? That highway doesn’t get built overnight. It takes regular, consistent effort (and lots of good fats - yep nutrition matters).

Why Does It Matter for You?

Whether you’re trying to master a new skill, improve your cognitive performance, or reduce stress, small consistent actions will take you there much faster than waiting for that big breakthrough. Think of it like brushing your teeth: you wouldn’t skip brushing for three months and then try to make up for it with one epic brushing session, right?

The same goes for your brain. Regular, small habits are what keep it in top shape.

How to Start (Without Getting Bored)

Now, I know what you’re thinking — “But Thierry, I hate routine!” That’s fair. But here's the thing: the trick isn’t to overhaul your entire life overnight. Just start with one small, boring thing. Like my 10-minute walks. Or 5 minutes of breathing exercises. Or even setting aside 10 minutes to sit with your thoughts and maybe put them down on paper (scary, but effective!).

The Bottom Line

We’ve all been told that excitement, hustle, and constant change are the keys to success. But for your brain? Consistency is where the magic happens. So, if you're looking for a way to boost focus, reduce stress, and keep your brain firing on all cylinders, don’t underestimate the power of small, consistent habits. Your brain will thank you for it.

Until next time, keep those neurones firing!

Your brain & health coach,

Thierry