Build that Prefrontal Lobe up
Hi there, neuro beginners! Welcome back to a brand new post on neuroscience! Today, I will be talking about how the prefrontal lobe (located right behind the eyes) affects things like holding conversations, reasoning, self-monitoring and time management.
This part of the brain is responsible for functions known as the “executive functions”. The prefrontal lobe isn’t fully developed until the age of 25. It is the reason why adolescents are prone to risk taking behaviors and volatile rages. Adolescents mainly use their amygdala, which governs emotions, while adults use their prefrontal lobe instead. Adults are better able to plan ahead, reason and manage their emotions in stressful situations. All the same, stress and drama in the adult brain fires up the amygdala, which gets the prefrontal cortex off its game.
A few tips to strengthen this executive part of the brain are:
- optimism
- aerobic exercise
- sleeping well
- doing service oriented activities
- make-believe play
The first two increase dopamine levels, while sleep is just a really good brain-recharge, and the mental and physical effort required in public service activities sends blood rushing to this part of the brain. Make believe play also strengthens this part of the brain.
