Neural Patterning, Groundhog Day Thinking, and the Struggle to Change Our Minds

Introduction

One of the most fascinating and frustrating aspects of being human is how easily we can get stuck in repeating thought patterns. It’s like the movie Groundhog Day: the same scenarios play out, the same arguments repeat in our heads, and the same habits reinforce themselves. The brain, for all its brilliance, is also a creature of habit. It is wired to conserve energy, and that means it prefers to run familiar programs rather than create new ones. These patterns become grooves in our neural circuitry, and the deeper the grooves, the harder they are to climb out of. It becomes harder to take in new ideas and to change our mind.

I'm not sure about you, but I can see this tendency in myself, which I actively strive to counteract. I achieve this by ensuring I learn something new daily, writing articles like this one, and engaging in different activities, such as exploring a new trail while running.

Why it gets worse with age

As we grow older, our brains lose some of their plasticity. Neural connections that are well-used become more efficient, while those that aren’t get pruned away. This makes us more skilled at the things we practise, but also more rigid in the patterns we repeat. Opinions harden, habits deepen, and the willingness to entertain new ways of thinking can fade. This isn’t inevitable, but it is the default if we drift through life unconsciously. That’s why so many people, in their later years, appear to be stuck in Groundhog Day – not just in behaviour, but in thought, emotion, and worldview.

Dementia: the bigger picture

I have written many articles on dementia over the years (see: https://www.garymoller.com/blog/categories/dementia). Now that I’m in my 70s, I feel well-qualified to comment on this topic – not only from clinical experience but also from the perspective of someone living through the ageing process myself.

I have concluded that the dementia epidemic we are facing is not simply “bad luck”, "bad genes" or “old age.” Rather, it is largely the consequence of:

• Poor nutrition – decades of processed foods, sugar overload, and nutrient deficiencies starve the brain of the fats, oils, and vitamins it needs to stay supple and resilient.

• Over-medication – many drugs interfere with brain chemistry and energy metabolism, creating side-effects that show up as memory loss, brain fog, and confusion.

• Traumatic brain injuries – often dismissed if they happened years earlier, but they can leave scars that only reveal themselves later in life.

The early signs are familiar: stuck in habits, recalling old memories and songs easily, yet forgetting the most recent things – where the keys are, why we walked into the kitchen, or what we just read, or not being able to change our minds about something, despite overhwelming evidence that we are wrong. These are not harmless quirks; they are early warnings that the brain is losing its flexibility.

The role of nutrition in neural flexibility

We cannot separate mind from body. If the brain is stuck, the body usually is too. And here’s a little known fact: the brain is about 60 percent fat and oil. Its health depends on the quality of those fats. Diets high in processed seed oils, trans fats, and sugars stiffen the brain just as they stiffen the arteries. By contrast, healthy fats – from grass-fed full cream dairy, red meat, fish, eggs, avocados, nuts, olives, and coconuts – provide the raw material for supple cell membranes, sharp signalling, cell regeneration, and resilience against stress.

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) are essential partners in this. Without them, fats cannot be used properly, nerves cannot insulate themselves, and neurotransmitters cannot fire efficiently. B-vitamins, especially B12, are another key: they underpin energy production, nerve repair, and the manufacture of neurotransmitters. Deficiencies in these nutrients often show up as “mental ruts” – low mood, anxiety, brain fog, poor memory – all symptoms of a mind that has lost its flexibility.

And then there are the minerals. Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese – all act as the body’s electrical regulators. They balance activation and relaxation, speeding and braking, stimulation and calm in brain and body. For example:

• Calcium contracts muscles, magnesium relaxes them

• Sodium accelerates the heart, potassium brakes the heart

• Copper excites (anxiety), zinc stabilises (fortitude)

Without these balancing acts, the brain short-circuits, the nervous system becomes unstable, and thought patterns become erratic or stuck.

Breaking the cycle

The good news is that neuroplasticity never entirely disappears. Even in later decades, the brain can rewire – but only if we give it reasons to. Nutrition is the foundation, but it’s not enough on its own. We must also stimulate the brain with novelty, challenge, and movement.

• Expose yourself to new challenges – travel a new route, learn a skill, read and study opposing views.

• Train the body – exercise not only strengthens muscles, it generates new brain connections. But best to exercise in the Great Outdoors.

• Embrace discomfort – cold water, fasting, or simply doing something you dislike can reboot neural patterns.

• Practise mindfulness – noticing when you’re caught in the same loop is the first step to breaking it.

The freeranger approach

A freeranger mindset is about refusing to live in a cage of repetitive patterns. It’s about staying curious, staying challenged, and staying open. That means questioning your own assumptions, not just those of others. It means seeking balance – yin and yang, sodium and potassium, stress and rest. And it means recognising that freedom isn’t just political or social; it’s also neurological. If you can change your mind, you can change your health, your relationships, and your destiny.

Conclusion

Groundhog Day is a warning as much as it is a comedy. Without conscious effort, we can sleepwalk into a life of repetition, running the same programmes until we die. But with awareness, deliberate nutrition, and active practice, we can keep the brain flexible, keep the body resilient, and keep the spirit alive. That’s what living strong and free is all about.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided for educational and general wellbeing purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nutritional and lifestyle strategies should always be considered in light of your personal circumstances, health history, and in consultation with a qualified health professional. Do not stop or change prescribed medications without first speaking to your doctor or pharmacist. While every effort has been made to provide accurate information, errors or omissions may occur, and new research may change current understanding. Readers are encouraged to use this information as a starting point for discussion with trusted health advisers.