Micro Class: Limbic-PFC Seesaw

Did you know your limbic system (think: emotions) and prefrontal cortex (think: rational thoughts) act like a sort of seesaw? When one is up the other is down. Knowing this, we can use some tricks to stay cool under pressure. Here they are.

This Micro Class is inspired by:

Author:

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[sbeast]

Something also worth noting - the origin of most beliefs, ideologies, and preferences are emotions. This is why using logic and reason often doesn't work on people, so instead you should be using emotional intelligence to better understand them.

[ithinkgodalot]

This was an interesting one for me. Here's what came to mind as I listened to you. When you name it to raise your PFC and lower the limbic part of your brain it's almost like releasing steam in a tea kettle or a locomotive. Naming is like releasing the pressure so you don't blow up and as you said no need to go on the archaeological digs to be effective. Re-appraisal reminds me of when I use to be a loan officer and we'd hire an appraisal to do an appraisal on a loan we were closing. If the underwriter of the loan did not like our appraisal they would order a desk review and have the property re-appraised to ensure that the value what there. Re-appraising the way you described is giving yourself the space (that gap) necessary to evaluate if what we're about to blow up about is worth and of course, it never is. Thanks Brian...Keep rocking!!

[keshavbx]

Awesome video - thanks for sharing these ideas :)

Key things I learned:

- Label my emotions to help manage them better (reminds me of the work of Dr. Steve Peters - you can't control your emotions, only manage them) and using language like "I'm feeling
- The situation isn't what I can control but I can take responsibility for the way I respond (I personally find becoming mindful of my breathing helps)

[adilbhesania]

No examples given of reappraisal. Please add them.