What do we have in common with chameleons? Yes, those lizards that live in the rain forests and deserts of Africa with color changing abilities to help them blend in with their habitats. Although we cannot change our skin color to match our environment, we also adapt to our environments. We can sweat, learn from others, build muscle, learn to crawl to walk, bruise and heal, and change our habits.
 
Adaptation. noun. a modification of an organism or its parts that makes it more fit for existence. Synonyms: transformation, adjustment.
 
Adaptation is the name of the game. This is how we interpret and react to the world, actions, people, and environment around us. We often take this daily encounter for granted. But what happens if you have suboptimal adaptation abilities?
 
Let’s look at one example of suboptimal adaptation: deficiency of balance and coordination. This means straining your ability to relate to your environment, maybe manifesting in difficulty driving, frequent clumsy accidents, and decreased energy. What if there was a way to heighten your adaptive potential and have it benefit you daily?
 
Research has also shown that correction or release of spinal tension, torsion, or restriction by chiropractic adjustments can improve the way we sense the environment, integrate information, and execute a response.  This results in an improvement of adaptive capacity, literally meaning how we relate to our environment.
 
One particularly powerful measurement that can be used to assess the adaptive capacity of the nervous system, and its response to chiropractic adjustment, is HRV (Heart Rate Variability).  HRV is a measurement of micro-variations between heartbeats.  HRV indicates high adaptive capacity and nervous system efficiency; low HRV is indicator of lower adaptive capacity and decreased nervous system efficiency.  HRV is a broad scale tool used by many fields as a window into how nervous system efficiency impacts physiology and health; for instance, research within the past few years has shown that high HRV is predictive of better prognosis after heart attack, better prognosis with fighting cancer, and improved cardiovascular health and athletic performance. 
 
Changing your daily habits and ensuring your spine is checked regularly can help you have a heightened experience of life and adapt better. Although our skin isn’t a vibrant purple or blending in with the color of rocks, we are able to adapt to a variety of our environments and its stressors because we can learn new ways to survive and thrive. We're able to use our brains and skills to respond to a changing environment. Our bodies are wildly capable when we give ourselves all the tools to be successful. 

Although about half of New Year's resolutions are forgotten by the second week of the year, people who actually make them are ten times more likely to achieve them.  In fact, a 2002 University of Scranton study found that 46% of the population who set goals for the new year are SUCCESSFUL in making positive changes.  My best tip, WRITE THEM DOWN ON PAPER!  Tune in to New Hampshire's WTPL 107.7FM, WEMJ 107.3 or WTSN 98.1FM (or live stream anywhere) on Saturday, January 7th or Sunday, January 8th at 9:30am EST to hear me discuss ways to create S.M.A.R.T. Goals for 2023!