Skip to main content

Grateful for How My Brain Works

 

by Jeanette R. Harrison, MPH

I have a lot on my plate this week, so I have a lot on my mind this morning. Writing helps me sort things out in my mind and understand them better. There is science behind that. It's called affect labeling. This post is going to have some science-y stuff in it, so get ready.

When you or I are stressed, the amygdala takes over the brain. The amygdala houses your survival instinct. That "gut feeling" you have when you feel unsafe? That's actually your amygdala triggering your nervous system. At that time, your brain sends a signal through your stress response system to your adrenal glands to release cortisol. Cortisol puts your nervous system on high alert. Regularly elevated cortisol levels can cause things like high blood pressure, reduced digestion, and weight gain. The body also releases a chemical called norepinephrine.

Norepinephrine might sound familiar to you if you have ever had a local anesthetic for stitches. Many local anesthetics contain epinephrine, which helps constrict blood vessels and reduce bleeding. For many years there was a rule of thumb in medicine: “No epinephrine in the nose, ears, fingers, toes, or hose (penis).” The concern was that those areas have smaller blood vessels and less backup circulation, so constricting blood vessels too much could reduce blood flow. Modern research has shown that using epinephrine in these areas is generally safe in appropriate doses, but many people in healthcare still remember that old teaching from their training.

Norepinephrine and epinephrine are also what tell your heart to beat harder and faster when you are under stress, feel like you are in danger, or are scared. They can also help you focus when you are stressed. They force you to deal with the task at hand. That's why you sometimes feel like you work really well under pressure. There is a biological reason for that. One part of your brain is telling the rest of your brain to shut down and focus on whatever is happening right in front of you and to tune out “distractions.” When you are really stressed, it is hard to make good decisions because your decision-making center, the prefrontal cortex, is being overpowered by the amygdala.

Image was AI generated

For most people, when the amygdala is sounding the alarm — “Danger, danger, danger!” — the prefrontal cortex and the parts of the brain involved in connecting ideas and generating insight, including the medial prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex, also quiet down. This is why it's really hard for most people to problem-solve or come up with creative solutions when they are stressed.

Because of the constant and ongoing stress throughout my life, I have learned coping techniques, and my brain has adapted to these neural pathways. In a way, I became my own neuroscientist, using skills that I didn't even realize at the time were helping my brain function.

For example, I know that when I write, it helps me organize my thoughts. This is called affect labeling. It's basically telling my amygdala to quiet down while I figure out how to deal with the problem. It's one part of my brain telling another part of my brain, “I got this.”

I also notice that when I am out walking or in the shower, I get a lot of my ideas. During my walks, my body is releasing neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, along with endorphins that help regulate mood and stress. This helps quiet the amygdala and tells it that it can run in the background for a while. Walking also helps the logical side and the creative side of the brain communicate with each other.

Walking also creates a natural form of bilateral stimulation — the rhythmic left-right movement — which is similar to techniques used in some trauma therapies.

Another method I use is what's called “body doubling.” A lot of people use this. A tutor or someone sitting with you while you are doing something is essentially a body double. When your tutor is sitting there being calm about your finance homework (that's what I had a tutor for), then you are also calm. It tells your nervous system this person is calm and safe, so I can feel calm and safe, too.

Essentially, my brain created neural pathways that allowed different parts of my brain to keep working together even when I am stressed. My brain figured out how to make the prefrontal cortex, the amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the posterior cingulate cortex co-exist. It's almost like my brain created a kind of firewall and built neural highways between the different parts so they could keep communicating.

To think of it another way, instead of taking the backroads or stopping when the road is closed, my brain created highways to other parts of my brain to help me still be productive in my life.

I'm not the only one this happens for. Other people who have likely done something similar include highly creative individuals, professional athletes, high-functioning executives, and leaders. Sometimes people are surprised by it or think it's a little unusual, because it isn't how most people are used to thinking about stress and problem-solving.

Even as I'm writing this today, I am feeling stressed (I feel stressed almost every day). I am using the logical side of my brain to make sure I am getting the science part correct, and I am using the creative part of my brain to help explain this complex material in a way that anyone reading can understand… hopefully. I have also used the bathroom about four times, because my cortisol level is lowering, which is helping with my digestion.

Why did I start thinking about this today?

I woke up stressed. I have a lot on my "to do" list this week, and today's gratitude practice is turning over my to-do list and being grateful that the problems I want solved are solved. As I was going over my plans for the day in my head and drinking my coffee, I felt like if I wrote things out, I would feel better. I would also be able to organize my thoughts and figure out some creative ways to achieve my goals.

It wasn't necessarily a conscious decision; it's just something I have noticed works best for me, and I am starting to be more in tune with how my own mind works.

The Thing I Am Most Grateful for Today

  1. I am grateful that I had the concept of lifelong learning instilled in my mind, and that I liked school as a kid, so learning was enjoyable to me.

The To Do List I Am Hopeful for Today:

(I'm showing gratitude for these things before they actually happen, acting as if they are going to happen.)

  1. I am grateful that I am able to scale my business and am open to learning new ways to do that.

  2. I am grateful that I can bypass my past traumas and be able to organize and increase my finances.

  3. I am grateful that I am able to actively create, continue working on, and successfully complete my book, "Keep Walking, Keep Moving: How to Keep Going When Life Gets Hard."

  4. I am grateful that my marketing strategies are reaching the exact people that I need to reach to grow my business and to meet the needs of potential clients/customers.

  5. I am grateful that I have energy to continue my walking and that my walks serve as a source of physical and neural calming.

  6. I am grateful I have people in my life who serve as my "body double" and show me that I can relax my hyper-vigilant nervous system that someone can show me that I can be safe and calm.

  7. I am grateful for peaceful relationships where people are truly supportive of me and help me on my journey in a kind and compassionate manner.

  8. I am grateful that any technology issues or concerns I have will be remedied easily.

  9. I am grateful that any media and marketing opportunities are aligned with my overall messaging for my business and my personal brand.

  10. I am grateful that my brain continues to operate in executive mode and finds new neural pathways that helps me to overcome obstacles I am currently dealing with.

10 Things I Am Grateful for Today

  1. I am grateful for my dog.

  2. I am grateful for the sunshine.

  3. I am grateful for the money I had to buy a few groceries over the weekend.

  4. I am grateful that I was able to make a payment on a debt (although unwillingly) because that means that I have one less debt.

  5. I am grateful for the people who are in my business development class.

  6. I am grateful for a friend who reached out to me.

  7. I am grateful for all the new connections I am making.

  8. I am grateful that I pay attention to my emotions and my brain's signals.

  9. I am grateful that I get out of bed every day and really do believe something amazing just might happen that day.

  10. I am grateful that I have accepted myself as an ever-growing, ever-evolving person.

Comments

Post a Comment