While I think routine and discipline are important, I also think falling into patterns of behavior that lack variety, complexity, or difficulty can cause your brain to sort of stagnate. Constant novelty, challenge, exposure to new ideas, learning new things, being physically active, these sort of things all seem to be necessary to cause neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, which we know are the key mechanisms for brain development.
So my question is, at what point does too much change and stress become detrimental? What is the best way to build up new hobbies and patterns of behavior without getting overwhelmed? I ask because I find it difficult to abandon some of my old habits, and I find it equally hard to start new ones (such as reading books). It seems like my body is excellent at maintaining some sort of homeostasis, and as a result changing my behaviors and habits is difficult.
Oh and side note:
How do drugs that promote neurogenesis/neurplasticity (NSI 189, Piracetam, Noopept, Tianeptine, etc) do this if you spend your entire day doing the same shit you've always done? I don't quite understand the mechanism here. Are they best used in times of change and stress?
Edited by Wingless, 11 September 2016 - 02:44 PM.