SPRING is here! Now to choose what to wear. The weather is so changeable that making the right choice can be a problem, especially if travelling.

Some springs are warmer, wetter and windier than others, but this year spring has gone from warm to cold and back again several times in a few weeks.

Just when we think about wearing less clothing, using lighter bedclothes and turning the heating down, the temperature drops and we go back to needing to feel warm and cosy again.

It amuses me when we wear clothing in April that we wouldn’t have worn in January, even though the temperature is the same.

We adapt, our bodies acclimatise. Just as they do when going abroad or experiencing extremes of temperature in the UK. At first, the body can be overwhelmed, but then we become more used to it.

Though possibly still uncomfortable, we are able to tolerate the change more easily than when first experienced.

Adaptability is an underrated skill.

People express displeasure in change, but necessity can often mean having to adapt quickly.

Most human brains are equipped for changing and learning, while we should remember that no success is reached without failing on the way.

Our brains adapt to change all the time. It could be a new phone, TV, computer, workplace, washing machine, car or a different climate.

Interestingly, as we adapt, especially using something technical, deep rooted feelings of failure can quickly rise to the surface. We become frustrated, emotional and our logical brain shuts down, which makes decision-making poor and we can panic and become angry.

If it’s something we really don’t have to do, we may stop trying. Forget the unhelpful, practise makes perfect, but remember, practice does makes better. Keep going.

Scientists talk of the brain being plastic, as it can be remoulded in different ways.

New neural pathways are developed. Like computers, new software can be installed and hardwired.

There is plenty of evidence of people who have recovered from major illnesses or brain injuries.

James, a teenage boy, was at home where there was a large, family dog, Casper.

James had smoked cannabis and was now convinced that he’d damaged his brain.

I couldn’t promise him that he hadn’t, but I could say that the brain can adapt well if old neural pathways are damaged. New pathways are created and repetitive action sets them in place.

He was questioning the validity of what I was saying, when I saw the dog. “Look at Casper,” I said, “he was badly injured by a bus and lost a leg, but does that stop him behaving as a dog should do?”

Casper was bounding around the room on his three legs, as I spoke. “He has learnt to adapt, or rather his brain has.”

James smiled, looked at the evidence and believed me.

He had given himself a shock, but chose not to take the risk with cannabis again.

Rita Leaman is a psychotherapist and writer who lives in North Yorkshire. As Alison R Russell, she is the author of ‘Are You Chasing Rainbows?’ www.chasingrainbows.org.uk She also writes a blog on emotional health: http://alisonrussell275.blogspot.co.uk