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Emma McAdam

At least 35% of people experience a mental illness like depression or anxiety throughout their lifetime. That means that you or someone you love needs resources to know how to feel better. Many people have heard that “chemical imbalance” or genes can affect mental health, but most people don’t know that you can actually change your brain chemistry without medication. Your brain's ability to change is called Neuroplasticity.

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At least 35% of people experience a mental illness like depression or anxiety throughout their lifetime. That means that you or someone you love needs resources to know how to feel better. Many people have heard that “chemical imbalance” or genes can affect mental health, but most people don’t know that you can actually change your brain chemistry without medication. Your brain's ability to change is called Neuroplasticity.

People want to improve their lives, they just often don’t know where to start. I’m making this course because this is fundamental information that I want all my clients to know. I teach simple daily habits that research has shown to work better than Prozac at treating depression or anxiety. Many of these changes take only minutes a day.

By the end of this course you’ll know 10 ways that you can change your brain’s chemistry, structure and function. You’ll learn how to prime your brain to be healthier and happier.

You’ll learn:

  • what modern imaging technology has taught us about neuroplasticity-your brain’s ability to rewire itself

  • about using your body to regulate your brain

  • what nutrient deficiencies to look out for

  • how to resolve the “scarcity brain”

  • techniques for resolving stress

  • and more.

And in my work as a therapist I’ve seen this information change lives, resolve depression and anxiety and help people be happier and healthier.

So if you or someone you loves experiences mental illness, or if you just want to know how to be happier, come join me.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Neuroplasticity- you can change your brain! improve your mental health!
  • 10 natural ways to treat depression and anxiety that are backed by scientific research
  • Hack your nervous system by triggering the parasympathetic (calming) part
  • Common nutrient deficiencies that mimic depression or anxiety
  • How to turn on the "abundant mindset" and foster joy in your life
  • 5 skills to reduce stress levels, muscle tension, and anxiety
  • Treat depression using a comprehensive-whole-self approach

Syllabus

Understand the importance of working with their personal medical provider for personal treatment information
Disclaimer
Introduction
Introduction and Diagnosis
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I'm including a free PDF download of my journaling template called "Journal Combined" if you send this to a printer and ask them to print it as a booklet, they will make a perfect little soft sided journal for the month.

Many people experience social anxiety, or stress in social situations. This video teaches 15 anxiety resolving techniques in about 15 minutes. Many of them stem from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT, and CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

As essential skill to manage anxiety, resolve stress, and thereby treat exhaustion and depression is to learn how to "be grounded" these skills are basically a continuation of the self-regulation skills from earlier, they train you to turn on your parasympathetic nervous system, create a sense of calm and return your mind to a place of safety.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores techniques that research suggests may be as effective as medication for managing depression and anxiety, offering a potentially appealing option for those seeking alternatives
Examines the impact of nutrient deficiencies on mental health, which may be useful for learners interested in holistic approaches to wellness and self-care
Discusses the importance of consulting with a personal medical provider, which underscores the need for professional guidance and personalized treatment plans
Teaches techniques to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help learners manage stress and anxiety through body-based practices
Covers grounding techniques to manage stress, anxiety, muscle tension, and PTSD, which may be helpful for learners dealing with trauma or high levels of stress
Advises learners not to discontinue prescribed medication, which highlights the importance of following medical advice and avoiding potentially harmful self-treatment

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Reviews summary

Mental health and neuroplasticity: practical change

Based on the course materials outlining its content and objectives, it appears learners would say this course offers a practical and comprehensive approach to improving mental health. Students would likely find the emphasis on actionable techniques derived from the principles of neuroplasticity particularly valuable. The course seems designed to empower individuals with simple daily habits and strategies covering areas like thinking patterns, nutrition, exercise, sleep, self-regulation, mindfulness, journaling, and connection. A potential point of discussion might be the strong claim regarding efficacy compared to medication, which learners should understand requires working with a medical provider, as the course itself notes. Overall, the structure suggests a focus on providing learners with concrete tools to proactively influence their brain chemistry and well-being.
Includes claims on effectiveness.
"The claim that these habits work better than Prozac is very bold and needs careful consideration."
"It's important to remember this course isn't a substitute for professional medical treatment."
"While promising, it's key to work with a doctor alongside using these techniques."
Explains brain's ability to change.
"Understanding neuroplasticity made me feel empowered that I can actually change my brain."
"The explanation of how actions change brain chemistry was fascinating and motivating."
"Learning the science behind the techniques helped reinforce their potential effectiveness."
Covers multiple facets of well-being.
"I appreciate how the course connects nutrition, sleep, exercise, and mindset – it's a holistic view."
"It covers a wide range of topics beyond just thinking strategies, which is very helpful."
"Exploring different areas like journaling and social connection felt very thorough."
Provides tools to manage nervous system.
"The sections on regulating the parasympathetic nervous system were incredibly useful."
"Techniques like diaphragmatic breathing and grounding were explained clearly and are practical."
"I found the self-regulation exercises particularly effective for reducing immediate anxiety."
Offers concrete methods for daily life.
"I learned really simple techniques I can use every day to manage stress and anxiety."
"The course provides specific habits that are easy to incorporate into my routine."
"It's great to have practical tools grounded in how the brain works."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain with these activities:
Review 'The Body Keeps the Score'
Deepen your understanding of the neurological impact of trauma and how it relates to mental health and neuroplasticity.
Show steps
  • Read the book 'The Body Keeps the Score'.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
  • Reflect on how these concepts relate to the course material.
Review Basic Nutrition Principles
Strengthen your understanding of how nutrition impacts mental health by reviewing basic nutrition principles.
Browse courses on Nutrition
Show steps
  • Review articles or videos on basic nutrition.
  • Focus on the role of vitamins and minerals in brain function.
  • Identify common nutrient deficiencies and their symptoms.
Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercises
Reinforce your ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system through consistent practice of diaphragmatic breathing.
Show steps
  • Find a quiet space to practice.
  • Practice diaphragmatic breathing for 5-10 minutes daily.
  • Focus on slow, deep breaths from your abdomen.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Gratitude Journal
Cultivate an abundant mindset and improve mental well-being by regularly practicing gratitude journaling.
Browse courses on Gratitude
Show steps
  • Obtain a notebook or use a digital document.
  • Write down 3-5 things you are grateful for each day.
  • Reflect on the positive aspects of your life.
Follow a Progressive Muscle Relaxation Tutorial
Learn and practice progressive muscle relaxation to reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.
Browse courses on Self-Regulation
Show steps
  • Find a guided progressive muscle relaxation tutorial online.
  • Follow the instructions to tense and release different muscle groups.
  • Practice regularly to improve relaxation skills.
Design a Personalized Mental Wellness Plan
Synthesize the course learnings into a personalized plan for maintaining and improving your mental well-being.
Show steps
  • Identify the techniques from the course that resonate with you.
  • Create a schedule for incorporating these techniques into your daily routine.
  • Track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Review 'Declutter Your Mind'
Learn techniques for managing negative thoughts and reducing anxiety to improve mental clarity.
View Declutter Your Mind on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book 'Declutter Your Mind'.
  • Identify techniques that resonate with you.
  • Practice these techniques regularly to manage negative thoughts.

Career center

Learners who complete Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Wellness Coach
A wellness coach guides clients toward healthier lifestyles, and this course provides a foundation for understanding the neurobiological aspects of mental well-being. This role involves creating personalized plans that address stress, sleep, and nutrition, areas directly covered in the course. As a wellness coach, you would help clients implement strategies to improve mood and manage anxiety, many of which are derived from neuroplasticity principles. This course may be useful to those who want to learn to improve well being through self regulation, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques.
Mental Health Advocate
A mental health advocate works to reduce stigma and promote resources for mental wellness. This course supplies a better understanding of how the brain’s chemistry can affect mental health, and how certain daily habits can improve well being. A mental health advocate who has taken this course may be better equipped to discuss scientific evidence for natural ways to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The course also covers holistic, non-medication approaches, which are important for advocacy positions.
Health Educator
Health educators teach communities about health and well-being, and this course may be useful for those who wish to incorporate a deeper understanding of mental health into their teachings. This course's focus on the brain's ability to change, along with the concrete daily habits to resolve stress, aligns with the health educator's mission. As a health educator, you may use information about the parasympathetic nervous system, sleep, and nutrition to create more impactful programs for mental health.
Life Coach
The work of a life coach involves helping clients reach personal and professional goals, and this course can enhance a life coach's ability to address mental health obstacles. By understanding neuroplasticity and self-regulation, a life coach can offer more effective strategies for managing stress and fostering a positive mindset. This course's lessons on the “abundant mindset” and stress-reduction techniques are very applicable to the work of a life coach. This course may help aspiring life coaches improve their skills.
Corporate Wellness Specialist
A corporate wellness specialist designs and implements programs to improve employee health and productivity. Understanding the link between mental health and brain function, as presented in this course, is very helpful in this role. A corporate wellness specialist who has taken this course may be better equipped to create programs that reduce stress and promote better mental health in the workplace. Learning about the impact of nutrition, light and sleep, from this course, may help with program design.
Holistic Health Practitioner
A holistic health practitioner aims to treat the whole person, and this course's approach may align with such an approach. A holistic health practitioner often addresses mental and emotional wellbeing in connection with physical health using non-medication based approached. The course may help build a foundation in practices such as mindfulness, self-regulation, and stress reduction techniques. A holistic health practitioner may use principles of neuroplasticity. This course may be useful.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors help individuals with disabilities achieve their personal and professional goals. The emphasis of this course on neuroplasticity and changing the brain can be helpful to the work of a rehabilitation counselor. A rehabilitation counselor may find it helpful to understand specific ways to manage stress, improve sleep, and foster a more positive mindset. These are all areas of focus in the course. This course may be useful.
Mindfulness Instructor
A mindfulness instructor guides individuals in the practice of mindful awareness, and this course provides a comprehensive understanding of how mindfulness impacts the brain. As a mindfulness instructor, a deep understanding of the link between mindfulness and mental health, as covered in this course, may help better communicate the benefits to students. The course provides specific mindfulness techniques, such as mindful breathing and body scans, which are applicable to this role. This course may be useful.
Social Worker
Social workers provide support to individuals and families navigating various challenges, including mental health issues. The information in this course on how to change brain chemistry through lifestyle and habit is applicable to this work. This course discusses the impacts of stress, sleep, and nutrition, which are important aspects of social work. A social worker may use the course's stress reduction techniques. This course may be useful.
Special Education Teacher
Special education teachers work with students who have a range of learning and developmental needs. This course’s emphasis on neuroplasticity and how the brain can change may be important to this work. Special education teachers often address stress, anxiety, and learning challenges. The course's content on self-regulation, stress reduction, and mindset can be useful in this role. This course may be useful.
Human Resources Specialist
The role of a human resources specialist is to support employees and improve their work experience. This course provides knowledge of how lifestyle and habits impact mental health, which can be valuable for HR programs. By understanding the principles of neuroplasticity, stress management, and the impact of sleep and nutrition, a human resources specialist may be able to promote wellness in the workplace. This course may be useful.
Dietitian
Dietitians use their knowledge of nutrition to help patients achieve health goals, and this course may provide helpful context to their nutrition advice. Dietitians often look to nutrition when supporting patients with mental health issues. This course discusses the impact of various nutrient deficiencies on mental health, providing information to a dietitian who wants to support their clients' overall well being. This course may be useful.
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist helps patients recover from injury and illness, and this course may inform their approach to rehabilitation. A physical therapist may use the information in the course about how exercise affects brain chemistry, and how the body can be used to regulate the brain. Additionally, the course emphasizes ways to reduce stress and anxiety which may be beneficial to physical therapy patients. This course may be useful.
Researcher
Researchers in neuroscience and mental health need to stay current on the latest findings and practices. This course may be useful for researchers who wish to stay informed of new approaches to improve mental well being. Furthermore, this course highlights research into how diet, exercise, and sleep affect brain function, which can be relevant to a researcher. This course may be useful.
Personal Trainer
A personal trainer provides fitness advice and instruction to improve clients' physical health, and this course may help them address the link between physical and mental health with their clients. This course covers how exercise changes brain chemistry which may be useful to a personal trainer. Understanding the connections between the body and mind may allow a personal trainer to work more holistically. This course may be useful.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Mental Health and Neuroplasticity: Change your Brain.
Explores the impact of trauma on the brain and body, and various methods for healing. It provides a deeper understanding of the neurobiological effects of stress and trauma, which is highly relevant to the course's focus on neuroplasticity and mental health. It offers practical insights into techniques like mindfulness and body-based therapies, complementing the course's teachings on self-regulation and stress reduction. This book is commonly referenced by therapists and mental health professionals.
Provides practical strategies for managing negative thoughts and reducing anxiety. It complements the course's sections on changing thinking patterns and resolving stress. The book offers actionable techniques for overcoming worry and improving mental clarity, which can enhance the effectiveness of the course's mindfulness and self-regulation exercises. It useful resource for those seeking to further develop their cognitive skills for mental well-being.

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