Hebb’s Law: “if two neurons (brain cells) are active at the same time, the synapse which connects them is strengthened.” Donald Hebb first proposed it in 1949, and it is sometimes expressed as “neurons that fire together, wire together.”
Inevitably we get overrun with the thoughts and feelings of a busy life. Oftentimes many of those thoughts can be about how tough things are, and that stimulates negative feelings. That fires neurons, and they hardwire together.
So it’s important to strengthen the neural pathways of joy, fun and humour too. Smiling is the best recipe for that. It’s against that backdrop that I offer some light relief: remember the old Cadbury’s Smash advert, with the Martians laughing at us for peeling potatoes?
Thanks, Cadbury.
To read more about our behaviour, neurology and psychology, read more in my essays.