Feel Better First, Then Solve Your Problems
Stress shuts down prefrontal brain networks.
We use those for controlling our attention, holding things in memory, visualizing and planning for the future.
With these offline, we’re reduced to much younger versions of ourselves. We go back to being children. Not in the good way.
The grown-up method of reducing stress is to figure out exactly where it’s coming from and address it head on.
We can’t do this without our high level brain networks.
We need to face a paradox. To solve the problems creating our stress, we first have to reduce the stress itself, then solve the problems. Catch 22?
To activate our prefrontal networks properly, we need just the right amount of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) like dopamine and serotonin floating around in our brain tubes.
Luckily, there are a thousand ways to change brain chemistry.
To power up our prefrontal networks and become adults again, we need hope, strategies, and willpower.
We need to remember that our life is big. We need a jolt of Aliveness.
Aliveness is the momentary feeling we get when we notice that we’re alive, and we observe that it’s generally a good thing.
It’s a feeling of connection to life as a whole.
We have problems, yes, but our life is big; much bigger than those problems.
We feel Aliveness during moments of balanced energetic flows — emotions, motivations, ideas.
When emotions and ideas flow gently back and forth, we feel connected.
A good conversation sparks Aliveness.
A 30-second hug sparks Aliveness.
5 minutes of exercise sparks Aliveness.
Listening to an inspiring speech sparks Aliveness.
Spark your Aliveness, get connected, then solve your problems.
