From signs to success: neuroscientist Dr Tara Swart on trusting your instincts, shifting your mindset and living your best life

Your latest book, The Signs, explores listening to your intuition to unlock your full potential. Where do we begin making that connection?

Through the mind-body connection, gut health and tapping into our senses – because hidden wisdom is stored in the body, not just the mind.

The book looks at how we can ‘slow down time’. Can you tell us more about that from a neuroscience perspective?

There is the objective passing of time, but we also have a subjective sense of the pace of time, e.g. that holiday flew by or that day dragged on. Monotony can make time feel slower, but novelty makes it feel faster.

When writing the book, you drew on the experience of grieving your husband, who passed away four years ago. Can you talk about some of the signs you feel came to you after his death?

He was in finance and obsessed with the Fibonacci sequence, so it made sense to me when he started sending me repeated numbers – such as 11 and 44 – and significant numbers on anniversaries. I also see robins (his name was Robin) and sometimes there are meaningful song lyrics.

What starter tips would you give someone wanting to manifest their goals into reality?

Start by making an action board (a collage with images that represent your desires), look at it daily, believe it to be true and give gratitude for that.

Dr Tara Swart. Credit: Jermaine Binns

What are some of the most powerful results of manifestation you’ve seen?

I manifested my husband, my flat, my business, my books and lots of travel. Many people have shared stories of manifesting life events like an engagement, having a baby or going freelance.

How important is physical work – like dancing, singing and somatic therapy – for dealing with trauma and grief?

Talking therapy can only take us so far, as trauma is not only stored in the PTSD circuits of the brain, but also in the tissues such as muscles and fascia. Somatic work such as the above and yoga, drumming, massage and craniosacral therapy can help to release trauma from the body.

What daily practices have completely transformed your life?

 Neuroaesthetics, which is about the art of noticing beauty, indulging in arts and culture, and immersion in nature. These have benefits for our mental health, physical health and longevity.

What neurological research and advancements are you most intrigued by at the moment?

Longevity treatments, psychedelic-assisted therapy, neuroaesthetics and expanded states of consciousness. It is an exciting time to be alive.

The Signs by Dr Tara Swart is out now