Caroline has been enthusiastically received all over the world by a variety of audiences, due to her unique ability to link the scientific principles of the brain to intellectual and emotional issues in simple and practical ways. Through years of research, she developed the Geodesic Learning theory brain-compatible learning , which is a scientifically and statistically proven approach to thinking, teaching, and learning.
She has also developed the unique Switch On Your Brain 5-Step Learning Process and the Metacognitive-Map as a learning tool, and she has presented these techniques to more than , students worldwide.
Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
Caroline has published articles in academic journals and consumer magazines and has been widely interviewed by newspapers, and on radio and television about her research and theories. She frequently lectures to both Christian and secular audiences worldwide on diverse topics relating to optimal brain performance, including: Log In to sync your basket across devices. Switch on Your Brain: About Meet the Author Reviews.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes or No Report This Review. Renewing your mind for Christ By Drew , Jul 04 Good and insightful By Jerey , Jul 14 Great Gift By Alyssa , Jul 01 Expected to ship within 7 hours from Australia. Levy, MD , neurosurgeon, author of Gray Matter "[Caroline] explains how our choices work scientifically, but in a practical way that makes something that is really hard to do much easier and more tangible.
Leaf's teaching is not only life changing but life saving as it makes the renewing of the mind so real. I am so very grateful for the wisdom contained within these pages. I pray that Caroline's years of research and passion in this realm of unfolding science will be a blessing to you. Kindle Edition , pages. Published September 1st by Baker Books first published To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
To ask other readers questions about Switch On Your Brain , please sign up. Molly L Audible has the audio book. See all 4 questions about Switch On Your Brain…. Lists with This Book. Jan 05, Laura rated it it was amazing. I also love the Holy Scriptures. So what a surprise when Dr. Caroline Leaf, a communication pathologist in the field of cognitive neuroscience, summarizes in this book a large part of her research in recent years to link scientific principles to Scripture.
It blends two of my favorite subjects. Finally, a scientist who recogn I love neuroscience. Finally, a scientist who recognizes this! Science is catching up with the Bible daily. How true, because God is THE greatest scientist. He created the heavens, the earth and us in it, including all the laws that govern nature, such as the law of gravity and quantum physics. Leaf had devoted her life work, since the s, in helping people see that they can renew their minds in a tangible way by learning to control their thoughts and emotions. She says that by doing this through conscious effort, we can actually change the programming and chemistry of our brain, even in the most challenging neurological situations.
In other words, we are not victims of our biology or circumstances. How hopeful and enlightening. The concept of neuroplasticity was always supported by God as stated in Romans I knew this because of my studying the Bible for years now, but having a scientist explain the science behind Biblical principles is so gratifying. It makes me appreciate my Creator all the more. Leaf explains neuroscience in simple terms and her use of repetition of the concepts only served to make me appreciate their value. The more I dug into this book, with highlighter and pen, jotting down notes, looking up Scriptures, the more I realized that my Bible studies have made me wiser and more intelligent because of the time I spent in deep study and meditation.
In the last few years, however, because of my busy schedule I have not had the same kind of contemplative studies, and I have seen the difference in how I handle stress. In the first part of the book, Dr. Leaf explains the science of thought and what it means to switch on your brain. In part two, Dr. Leaf has developed a Day Brain Detox Plan, a practical and detailed plan that helps an individual get rid of toxic thoughts. This non-traditional therapeutic approach has helped her patients who suffered a TBI traumatic brain injury make remarkable progress. I knew all the Scriptures she mentions in her book so I was super comfortable with her applications.
Leaf includes in the back of the book 10 full pages of notes and references, as well as 19 full pages of recommended reading of books and scientific articles. This is perfect for me! I highly recommend this book to anyone who calls themselves a Christian or appreciates the Bible and wants to explore the potential of their minds to change their lives for the better. Aug 06, Neil Coulter rated it did not like it Shelves: I found Switch on Your Brain to be a frustrating but mercifully quick read. Caroline Leaf's main point is that we can alter our lives for the better by changing our habitual thought patterns.
According to Leaf, we can change not only our thought life, but even our DNA by the conscious redirection of negative thinking into positive thinking. Leaf repeatedly claims to be a scientist which, ironically, always makes me wonder how true it is and loads the chapters with a lot of surface-skimming o I found Switch on Your Brain to be a frustrating but mercifully quick read.
Leaf repeatedly claims to be a scientist which, ironically, always makes me wonder how true it is and loads the chapters with a lot of surface-skimming of scientific neurological research. She is also a Christian, and she returns to the Bible more often than she turns to science to explain why certain assertions must be true. I can't say how valid her scientific references are, though from what little I've read about neuroscience I think much of what she says is fine.
But I'm more familiar with biblical scholarship, and her use of the Bible was very unimpressive. She picks out verses that seem to affirm the scientific point she's making, but with absolutely no regard for the full context of the verse or the cultural contexts of the original audiences of the Bible's writings. The Bible is much more complex and much more interesting than how Leaf presents it. Her engagement with scripture is not surprising, given the roster of television-star Christians who endorse the book.
Her positive-thinking approach reminded me of Joyce Meyer who endorses the book and Joel Osteen notably absent from the endorsers. Who is this book about again? The point of Switch on Your Brain is to explain the foundation of Leaf's thought-changing and healing, and then present a 5-step "day brain detox plan. I've read the whole book and I have very little idea what I'm supposed to do each day of the plan. Essentially, if you're already doing a daily devotional or prayer or meditation time, you're probably doing what Leaf advocates. It's also a misnomer to call it a "day plan," since Leaf says that "It can take anywhere from three to four day cycles to automatize the new healthy thought pattern and to make sure the toxic thought doesn't grow back" Try another day cycle!
The book is frustrating because it is unbelievably repetitive, even repeatedly printing pointless diagrams check out p. Not only are the chapters repetitive, but each chapter includes a summary of the main points, which could easily take the place of reading the whole book. Research also shows that there is a negative side to positive self-statements and affirmations, showing that individuals with low self-esteem felt worse after repeating positive self-statements.
Don't become part of that statistic. I think that's me she's talking about, but that's all the advice she has for me: It was hard to keep reading after that paragraph. View all 5 comments. I read this book twice. Wasn't a fan the first time given the heavy biblical references though besides those items the second time made a ton of sense. It releases chemicals and hormones via the pituitary gland Focused reflection Mindfulness Meditation - Watch your thoughts and how they are connected with each other - It is a directed and disciplined way of thinking - Huge activity happens when you redesign your brain via neuroplasticity - Rehearsing your goals every day is a way to mentally rehearse how you will achieve your goals.
Think about the bigger picture and the details. See and evaluate your thoughts patterns. Redesign your thoughts You are not a victim of your biology This step evaluates where you are going and where you are looking to get to Workout the way forward Visualize the end result at the end of the 21 days This is a self reflective side of the process It is constructive and to think deeply This is a 21 day process and you should work through the details really deep Action Reaches The doing of the action reach is what makes it all happen Make the lifestyle change Do it at least 7x a day Move through the sequence and believe Summary Focus on eliminating one toxic thought Takes min Active reach goes out through out the day One brain detox cycle is 21 days You breaking down a healthy thought Breaking down the toxic thought takes min Gather: I was impressed with this book.
She has done a great job of correlation recent brain science with biblical commands, such as renewing your mind. The understanding now that the brain can be changed - neuropasticity - means that renewing the mind is a scientific reality. It takes about 21 days to create integrated long term memory, hence the 21 day plan. Since so many issues people have today are caused by wrong thinking, this is a valuable book. See my full review at http: My mom made me read this. I have no time for this nonsense I have actual books to read.
Jul 29, Lisa Shultz rated it it was ok Shelves: I generally like topics such as this book, but I didn't like the presentation of the material. First, the preamble was excessive. I wanted her to get to the point much sooner. Second, the techno-speak was annoying. I am an intelligent person but I don't want to have to figure out scientific words and then translate into words I can relate to. I was turned off when "satin's lies" were interjected in the middle, which seemed out of context and inappropriate. Overall, not a book I will recommend to I generally like topics such as this book, but I didn't like the presentation of the material.
Overall, not a book I will recommend to others. Aug 16, Christopher Pitt rated it did not like it.
Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Caroline Leaf
Ever tried to put on your old jeans and realised just how much your body has changed since the last time you put them on? Sure, if you tried hard enough, you could get them on, but they would be tight, restrictive and just plain uncomfortable. In this book, Dr Leaf has taken a whole body of new scientific information on thoughts and stress, and tried to writhe and wriggle them into her old theories that she's hung onto from several decades ago.
Dr Leaf presents a number of theories of hers about Ever tried to put on your old jeans and realised just how much your body has changed since the last time you put them on? Dr Leaf presents a number of theories of hers about thinking, mental illness, attention, epigenetics and quantum theory. Unfortunately, such claims lay in stark contrast to the basics of the medical and physical sciences. Our minds are a product of our brain, not the other way around. We certainly can not use our minds to change matter.
Our thoughts don't change our DNA. Her claims are pseudoscience. The sources of information that supposedly validate her statements are biased, out of date, misquoted, or just out-and-out contradictory. Yet this claim is a key tenet in her argument of the importance of thoughts. Read the book if you want, but do so with an open mind. Look for alternative sources of information. Don't take Dr Leaf's opinion at face value. View all 8 comments. Feb 12, Artem rated it did not like it Shelves: That is a pice of rare delirium. I assume that most of those who scored this book 5 star are religious people.
For anybody else - this book will be boring, badly written and extreamly annoying with religious citations and God mentioning on every page. When i read this lady , so called doctor and scientists believes in God so hard and backs up all the findings and conclusion with bible - the book lost all of its illusi That is a pice of rare delirium. When i read this lady , so called doctor and scientists believes in God so hard and backs up all the findings and conclusion with bible - the book lost all of its illusive trustworthy.
I will scan to the end in hope to find at least single usefull tip thought here. The book is not too long so i can do that. Anyway, i do not reccomend to read this to anybody, unless you are looking into some scientifical proof for God existance. If you really want to read some good stuff on the topic, refer to - 1. The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity Feb 28, Stephen James Johnson rated it it was ok.
I was recommended to read Switch on Your Brain by a trusted, Jesus following colleague. As an emergency services chaplain, I work in some of the most emotionally draining environments. As a result of that work and the ongoing challenges of daily living, I found myself in need of a brain "detox.
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I appreciate her love for me and her care for my thought life, even if I did not appreciate this book as much as she thought I'd might. I feel a need I was recommended to read Switch on Your Brain by a trusted, Jesus following colleague. I feel a need, even if only an obligatory one, to stress my faith in Jesus and in the Scriptures. I believe with certainty that the Bible is the inerrant word of God and within its pages are found truth and power for living. I do not, however, interpret the Bible through a prosperity hermeneutic; in other words, I don't buy the "name-it-and-claim-it" theology that God wants me to be healthy and wealthy if I can muster enough faith to unleash His blessings.
It appears to me that Dr. Leaf seeks to grant academic credibility to the prosperity gospel. The long and the short of her book is that we are responsible for our thoughts. If we can capture our thoughts and replace all negativity with Bible verses and positive affirmations, then we can experience healing and emotional wellness.
Switch On Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health
We can even "think" our sicknesses away by believing in the promises of the Scripture. All of our brains are clay in the potter's hands and we are potters. Leaf's theology is entirely anthropocentric: God is sovereign only in as much as we allow and His omnipotence is limited by the free will of man.
- Hellbender!
- MRI for Orthopaedic Surgeons?
- Future States: From International to Global Political Order?
- Can You Hear Me?;
- Maggies Dare: The Great Awakening (Sisters in Time Book 3).
In Leaf's view, man chooses God, God does not choose man, and God is simply cheering for positive outcomes. Leaf does not effectively address the impact of original sin and offers an offensively simplistic approach to post traumatic stress i. Leaf has a very high view of man, a higher view of Scripture, a low view of God's sovereignty, and a total disregard for purposeful suffering.
Theology aside, the writing is difficult to read. Perhaps the repetition is intentional, but reading the same material over and over and over again is exhausting.
I did some individual research on the scientific topics presented in the text with footnotes that do not include Leaf's own name or Kenneth Copeland and found that some of the theories presented have merit, but not nearly as much merit within the scientific community as Leaf presents. Leaf sounds as if she is so excited to see science and the Scripture align and this is indeed exciting , but she presents theories as facts and opinions as gospel you know, the nonreligious one.
I'd respect her position more if she dealt with the opposition more effectively than citing her personal interpretation of one scripture as victory for her position. We are responsible for what we think. Sometimes we need to see a counselor to deal with thoughts that are beyond are control. Sometimes we really do need medication not a name-it-and-claim-it cure for our ailments, including mental illnesses.
Sometimes we really need to explore past trauma and ask God where He was during the process. And sometimes, we just need to adjust our thoughts. And for those latter moments, Dr. I'd respect her approach more if she didn't disqualify all the other circumstances as sinners who can't seem to conjure the faith and courage to think well enough. She may not say those words, but oh how they are implied. May 18, Alcieta rated it liked it Shelves: I firmly believe in the truths Leaf relates here. My main issue with her 21 day detox regime, though, is how obscure it felt.
I feel like instruction on actually carrying the process out was lacking, and I'm still not entirely sure how to do it, despite her outlining of the steps. I think I need clearer examples of such a regime, because the mind is an obscure black hole of a thing. I love the science of psychology too, but I feel like in this book she was too wrapped up in An illuminating read. I love the science of psychology too, but I feel like in this book she was too wrapped up in convincing people about physiological change in the brain and will power I am already fully convinced of these things, so it was tiring to hear it repeated over and over, though I'm aware that some people really do need that much convincing , and though the science behind all this was sound, it was somewhat distracting.
This book has helped me to become more conscious of my thoughtlife, and I hope I can get into the habit of catching them before they do more damage than they're worth. Jul 21, Dawnita Fogleman rated it it was amazing Shelves: This book and the help of the woman who suggested it has been a life changer for me. God has brought me a long way. For the first time in my life, I truly understand I am brilliant and beautiful.
I can't be anything else. I have begun rewiring my brain through the 21 Day Brain Detox and will continue until either HE calls me ho This book and the help of the woman who suggested it has been a life changer for me. I have begun rewiring my brain through the 21 Day Brain Detox and will continue until either HE calls me home or comes to get me. Give it as gifts. People need this information! Jul 23, Sid rated it really liked it. The author provides interesting strategies for dealing with stress and living a more mindful, stable life.
I was surprised by the parallels between religion and science. Even more surprising was how I could relate more towards the religious message. The science was a little above my head: Aug 27, maggie rated it it was ok. The Scripture-Science links are amazing. But what a lot of verbiage I waded through.