Sculpting Healthy Brains with Everyday Activities

by Kelly Lambert, The Great Courses

The human brain is one of the most complex entities in the universe. With 86 billion neurons communicating through an intricate symphony of synaptic connections and neurochemicals, identifying a single issue or imbalance in this environment to treat disorders like depression has proven immensely difficult. The good news is that the brain comes equipped with its own incredible strategies for maintaining mental and emotional health. These built-in mechanisms can work alongside—or, in some cases, in place of—traditional pharmaceutical approaches. In the six lectures of Sculpting Healthy Brains with Everyday Activities, you’ll join behavioral neuroscientist Professor Kelly Lambert of the University of Richmond to explore how to activate these natural, powerful strategies and help your brain write its own prescriptions for resilience and well-being. Professor Lambert’s work in the lab has shown that strategic, experience-based activities—what she calls “behaviorceuticals”—can promote brain health. As it turns out, engaging in tasks such as cooking or gardening, for example, may be just the prescription we need for better mental health.

As you’ll learn in this course, incorporating engaging and meaningful activities into our daily lives allows us to tap into the brain’s incredible ability to adapt to life’s uncertainties. This process, known as neuroplasticity, enables the brain to rewire itself in response to new experiences. With an understanding of neuroplasticity and behavior-based approaches, you can begin to use your life experiences to optimize your mental health.

Audible Audio

Published January 8, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read or listen and while the information may not be new or shiny it was very cool to hear the studies behind the concepts of creating neural pathways and brain growth!

[An Ven · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a waste of my time. Honestly if it were not an audiobook I wouldn’t have finished it. I’m always amazed as to how most of the ‘self help’ books are filled with nothing. This one is not an exception. If you are looking for tips, just look at the numbered tips at the end of each chapter. The rest is there to fill the content, some motivation and examples and self promotion.

[Esben · Rating 3 out of 5]

factually correct and actually a good message. nothing new under the sun for me though.

[Bethany]

🎧 basic but good reminder about movement and creating enriching environments to support brain health

[Susan Frazier-Kouassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting but not a lot of new information on keeping our brain sharp as we age.