Words Can Change Your Brain by Andrew Newberg and Mark Robert Waldman

I’m big on changing your brain for the better and impacting various facets of life through our actions and our mindset. Changing my brain and positively impacting my brain through the words that I use is something that is so important. I expected to learn a lot from this book and there were certainly some great actionable takeaways from it.

The book keyed on 12 things that we can do to improve compassionate communication. There were also some great exercises that the author walked me through. I was challenged to converse with someone and have a 3 second break between each word that I spoke. I find that speaking warmly, being relaxed, and observing nonverbal cues are the three most important parts of compassionate communication for myself.

12 strategies that enhance the dynamics of any conversation, even with strangers. They can stimulate deep empathy and trust in the listener’s brain and interrupt negative thought patterns that if left unchecked, can damage the brain’s emotional regulatory circuits.

The 12 strategies of compassionate communication:

1. Relax

2. Stay present

3. Cultivate inner silence

4. Increase inner positivity